Why a Sample Library?

Many amazing models can be printed to showcase all of the fantastic features and properties of 3d printing materials. Still, they all have the same problem of taking up space when you no longer have any of the material or when a material is no longer available. So why not make the presentation of the samples as important as the information they convey? To accomplish this, I have chosen to take my love of miniatures, make simple books, and use my filaments samples to build a library.

Printing Samples

Sample “books” are printed in an upright orientation. I suggest printing at 0.2mm layer height for a good compromise between speed and quality. The material type is embossed on the book's spine for easy identification. I use a label printer to apply brand or any additional information to ensure maximum readability. You can also write on them with a marker or pencil. The average print time is around 20 minutes per book.

Printing Shelf

The shelf is what turns your sample book into a library. This is a pretty straightforward print, and it just holds the books. This print takes around 2 hours from start to finish and should be big enough to hold 30 sample books.