Our goal is to make this space as welcoming as possible to the entire UCSC community.  We believe that providing a safe environment is an important part of this goal.  This page lists our safety protocols and provides a variety of information related to the safety of the equipment that we provide access to.  Safety protocols must be observed at all times.  If our student workers request that you stop doing something because it's unsafe, you are expected to comply.  Failure to comply can lead to being asked to leave the space and potential loss of access to the equipment.

The following safety protocols should be observed at all times:

• 3D printers must remain in their safety enclosures.
• The enclosures cannot be moved from their location at the end of the large tables on the linoleum floor underneath the sprinklers.
• 3D printers can only run when the DSI is open and DSI student workers are around to attend to the printers in the event of printer error.
• Only library provided filament may be used in the 3D printers.
• No food is allowed in the DSI, and all drinks must be in covered containers with screw tops.
• Never touch parts of the equipment that are hot.
• Never put your hand in the machines while it is moving.
• Always ensure that the print settings are appropriate for the filament that you are using.

Air Cleanliness

Each printer is in it's own 3D Print Clean 660 Safety Enclosure.  Each enclosure includes a Volatile Organic Compound and Ultrafine Particle filtration system.  Patrons are limited to using filaments provided by the library, which are specially chosen to reduce the chance of harmful off-gassing.  Filaments provided by the library are also reviewed by UCSC Environmental Health and Safety to confirm it is suitable for the space.   

Fire Hazards

The rear portion of the DSI has been re-floored with vinyl tile.  The printers are to be used in specific areas underneath sprinklers in the space.  An additional fire extinguisher has been added to the space should a fire occur.  The safety enclosures also include a thermal runoff detection system that will cut power to the printer if an error should occur in the electronic circuitry.

Burning and Personal Injury

Printers can only be used when the DSI is open to confirm proper use of the equipment.  Printers should remain locked in their enclosures at all times except during active loading of filaments, changing print heads, starting prints, or removing prints from the print bed.  Users are required to close and lock the printer while the printer is in use to prevent the possibility of reaching in during regular printer operation.  They are also required to wait a minimum of 5 minutes after the print ends before removing the print.  Printers are locked in the enclosure, rolled into a locked cage, and in a locked room when the DSI is closed.