Hardware and Software

The Library Makerspace offers the following hardware and software available for use by the students, faculty, and staff of Texas Tech University:

• PolyPrinter 229 (x2)
• PolyPrinter 508
• KISSLICER Pro
• Structure Sensor
• 3Doodler Pens (multiple)
• A variety of filament

Getting Started

At the Library Makerspace, we welcome your questions about 3D printing and strive to provide you with resources that will help you accomplish your individual maker goals. For some general information on how to get started, please review some of the following resources:

• Thingiverse – An online repository for 3D files. You can download, and in some cases edit, files uploaded by other users in the maker community.
• Smithsonian 3D Program - An ongoing project of scanning artifacts and collections from the Smithsonian and providing those exhibits to a global audience.  The program also provides metadata and 3D files on these exhibits in an open access environment.
• TinkerCAD – A web-based tool for creating 3D object. You can begin a new project or import and existing file to customize.

Further Reading

For more information about why the University Library would offer a makerspace, please view the following articles:

• Brewer, B. (2015, September 16). "Making It in the Academic World: Makerspaces in University Libraries." American Libraries. Retrieved from https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2015/09/16/making-it-academic-world/

• Brown, R. (2015, October 9). "Why Makerspaces Work for Businesses and Schools." Work Design Magazine. Retrieved from http://workdesign.com/2015/10/why-makerspaces-work-for-businesses-and-schools/

• Fisher, E. (2012, November 28). "Makerspace Move into Academic Libraries." ACRL Tech Connect Blog. Retrieved from http://acrl.ala.org/techconnect/post/makerspaces-move-into-academic-libraries