Library will offer community use of new 3D printer

Since acquiring a new 3D printer for the Irene Ingle Public Library, librarian Sarah Scambler and library assistant Kaitlin Wilson have enjoyed familiarizing themselves on the latest addition. Much of the learning came through experimenting, creating different objects. After several weeks, Scambler had made several skeletons, spring-coiled ghosts and even segmented slugs for Halloween.

"It's been fun to play around with it and figure out how it works," she said.

The printer is not yet available for public use, but the plan is to make it available for a moderate fee.

Wilson produced a tiny replica of the front of the library itself, approximately just a few inches long, which she said took a half-hour for the printer to make, but creating the file for the object took much longer. "I spent about, I'd say at least 24 hours building this over the last week," she said. "It took a bit to figure out how to use the program to build your own (design)."

While the replica was a test run, she hopes to eventually create a larger version.

Scambler had been thinking about getting a 3D printer for the library for some time, but the acquisition was initiated by Kevin Gadsey, who moved to town earlier this year to work at the Wrangell Cooperative Association. He was "really interested in 3D printing," Scambler said.

"He came to me and said that he would donate half of the money to purchase it if we could have The Friends of the Library purchase the other half," she added. "We decided to go for it."

Gadsey noted that other libraries that he had patronized have 3D printers and he wanted Wrangell to have the same opportunity. During his research of various models, he looked for those that had doors to protect patrons, especially children, during the printing process, as the heated filament can reach 450 degrees Fahrenheit. He also focused on filament printers, as they generally have a less toxic smell than models that use resin.

After looking at several possibilities, they decided on the Flashforge Adventurer 5M Pro. Scambler is eager to discover how they can use it in the community. "It's very easy to use; super user-friendly."

The cost came to $600; the printer was $500, with $100 for a supply of the filament used in the printer with choices of different colors. Scambler said she and her staff have been using it since it arrived in early October, learning the different settings and materials, suitable printer files, and slicer programs (wherein the digital 3D model is divided into very thin "slices" used as the basis for the movement of the printhead). The library staff is relying on Gadsey's extensive knowledge of 3D printing. "I don't want to offer a product to the community that I don't know how to use," Scambler said.

Eventually, she hopes to have residents come to the library to print their own items, such as simple replacement parts for appliances. "There will probably be a nominal fee just for materials and wear and tear on the machine," she said. "We want the community to be able to afford it."

"You can print tools with it," Gadsey said. "People have printed screwdrivers and hammers, and replacement pieces. ... I've seen amazing things."

He displayed one such personal item of his own: a button-hook tool that he uses to get dressed, which can be a challenge with the physical disability he's had since birth. Used to aid in the closing of buttoned clothing, it's a hook fixed to a handle, which helps people with limited use of their hands to manipulate buttons and move zippers.

While Gadsey works at the WCA as a domestic violence prevention specialist, he stressed that his sponsorship of the 3D printer for the library is a personal project. "This was just me wanting to do something fun for the community," he said.