3D Printing

Women working with a 3D printer
Rapid Prototyping Centre Offers professional-grade 3D printing for current students, faculty and staff at the University of Waterloo
These printers can rapidly produce parts in a variety of materials, bringing ideas to reality.

Materials

At the Rapid Prototyping Centre, we have the ability to print in four different materials: ABS, PC-ABS, PC (polycarbonate), and Nylon. 

  • ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) is a flexible material, although it is not as strong as PC. It is available in many colours such as white, black, ivory, dark grey, blue and red. Please inquire to which colours are available at the current time. 
  • PC-ABS, the most popular material, is a hybrid of PC and ABS which combines the strength of PC with the flexibility of ABS. PC-ABS is only available in black.
  • PC (polycarbonate) has the greatest heat resistance and strength. It is very accurate and is mostly used for prints with precise moving parts and/or that will be under high temperatures. PC is not a flexible material. PC is only available in white.

​Click here for more detailed specifications on the materials we offer. 

Resolution

We offer to print in two different resolutions: standard and enhanced.

Standard

  • 0.013 of an inch slice height/layer height. This resolution is available for ABS and PC-ABS.

Enhanced

  • 0.005 of an inch slice height/layer height for ABS and PC-ABS​
  • 0.007 of an inch slice height/layer height for PC.

Note: PC is only available in enhanced resolution. 

Density

We offer three choices regarding the density or interior fill of the part.

  • Solid (100% fill)
  • Double Dense Sparse (~60% fill)
  • Sparse (~30% fill)

Pricing

Pricing is based on the resolution chosen:

Resolutions  Undergraduate Students Masters, PhD, Staff, Faculty Members
Standard $9.25/inch3 $12.50/inch3
Enhanced $12.50/inch3 $15.75/inch3
Any member of the university community can have their parts printed. For more information, visit the Rapid Prototyping Centre in E5-2002, email at engsdc3d@gmail.com or call 519-888-4567x33917.