PRINTSHOP

Printshop is a vital digital fabrication workshop of Aalto Design Factory (ADF), mainly supporting students with their projects such as PdP and Aaltonaut courses. Additionally, Printshop supports startups at Partner Plaza and community members involved with ADF.

While prioritising educational projects, Printshop also aims to assist other Aalto University community members if resources allow.

All machines and the Printshop space are reserved for ADF staff use only. Printshop staff operate the machines for submitted jobs.

Thanks for understanding!

3D PRINTING REQUEST

Need a part 3D printed at the Aalto Design Factory Printshop? Submit your request using the 3D Printing Request Form.

Before submitting

Files must be in .stl or .3mf format.

Each uploaded file must contain one object only.

Use the required naming format: YYYYMMDD_ProjectName_FileName_xNumberOfPrints.

Example: 20260901_RobotProject_Gearbox_x2.stl

You can submit multiple parts or pieces in one request, but each request is limited to one material and one colour.

If you need different materials, colours, or material-colour combinations, submit a separate request for each variation.

Include important printing requirements, such as preferred print orientation, strength requirements, tolerances, or other special considerations.

Process

1. Prepare your files → 2. Complete the form → 3. Upload your files → 4. Submit your request → 5. Your job is added to the print queue → 6. Collect your parts when notified

Prints are scheduled for the next available slot based on the queue, printer availability, material availability, and staff availability. If necessary, the selected material or colour may be replaced with the closest available alternative.

Printshop staff will contact you if there are questions or issues with your submission. You will receive an email when your parts are ready for pick-up.

Submit a 3D Printing Request
DF Labs - Machines & Tools Usage Policy

FAQ

Perhaps these will help you get a better picture

3D PRINTERS

  • Nemo – Ultimaker S7 FDM 3D printer with Material Station, dual extrusion (330 × 240 × 300 mm)
  • Che – Ultimaker S6 FDM 3D printer, dual extrusion (330 × 240 × 300 mm)
  • Mumu – Ultimaker S5 FDM 3D printer, dual extrusion (330 × 240 × 300 mm)
  • Goro – Piocreat G5Ultra FGF pellet 3D printer (500 × 500 × 400 mm)
  • FastQuinotaur – Fuse 1+ 30W SLS 3D printer (165 × 165 × 300 mm)
  • Manu – Mehta Heino FDM 3D printer (270 × 160 × 200 mm)

SELF-SERVICE 3D PRINTERS

  • Prusa MK4S (250 × 210 × 220 mm)
  • Prusa CORE One (250 × 220 × 270 mm)

LASER CUTTERS

  • Pepe – Epilog Fusion Pro 36 laser cutter, 80W CO₂ + 50W fibre laser (914 × 610 × 228 mm)

Printshop

  • 3D printing
  • Laser cutting

For 3D printing, we most commonly use PLA, ABS, Nylon, and PET. Each 3D Printing Request Form submission is limited to one material and one colour. If your project requires more than one material, colour, or combination, please submit a separate request for each variation.

Below are some of the specific materials each printer is capable of using.

Nemo – PLA, ABS, PET, PET-CF, ASA, PC, Nylon, TPU 95A, PP, PVA, Breakaway White
Che – PLA, ABS, PET, PET-CF, ASA, PC, Nylon, TPU 95A, PP, PVA, Breakaway White
Mumu – PLA, PET, TPU 95A, PP, PVA, Breakaway White
Manu – PLA, ABS, AduraX, RigidX, Textura, woodFill
Goro – PLA, ABS, PET, PC, Nylon, TPU 60–90A, PP, and various experimental pellets
FastQuinotaur – PA 12 (Nylon 12)

For laser cutting, we have acrylic (PMMA) in thicknesses of 3–12 mm and plywood from 2–12 mm.

If you can provide the material safety data sheet (MSDS) for your material, we can assess whether it is suitable for cutting. Generally, we use only plywood from our own stock because it uses interior-grade glue, helping to avoid hazardous gases that may be released when cutting exterior plywood containing epoxy or formaldehyde.

Printshop primarily supports Aalto Design Factory educational projects, including courses such as PdP and Aaltonaut, as well as startups at Partner Plaza and ADF community members. We may also be able to assist other Aalto University community members if resources allow.

All machines and the Printshop space are reserved for ADF staff use only. Printshop staff operate the machines for submitted jobs.

For 3D printing, please submit a request through the 3D Printing Request Form.

For questions, special cases, laser-cutting requests, or requests requiring the attention of a specific Printshop employee, contact us at printshop-df@aalto.fi.

  1. Prepare your STL or 3MF files.
  2. Complete the 3D Printing Request Form.
  3. Upload your files.
  4. Submit your request.
  5. Your job is added to the print queue.
  6. Collect your parts after receiving a ready-for-pick-up notification by email.

Jobs are scheduled for the next available slot based on the print queue, suitable printer, material availability, and staff availability. One submission can include multiple parts, but it must use one material and one colour. Submit separate forms for different materials, colours, or combinations.

Please include any relevant requirements, such as desired print orientation, strength requirements, tolerances, or other special considerations. Printshop staff will contact you if clarification is needed.

  • 3D printing: STL or 3MF. Each uploaded file must contain one object only.
  • 3D-print file naming: YYYYMMDD_ProjectName_FileName_xNumberOfPrints.
  • Example: 20260901_RobotProject_Gearbox_x2.stl
  • Laser cutting: SVG, DXF, or DWG. Linework and text must be in vector format, with text outlined.

  • Maximum 3D-printing size is currently 500 × 500 × 400 mm.
  • Maximum laser-cutting size is 910 × 610 mm.

The idea of Design Factory is centred around product development, so the workshops are made for prototyping. We are here to help you develop your ideas and designs towards manufacturing, but we do not provide serial manufacturing.

In other words, iterating multiple times is okay, but serial production is not.

Feel free to reach out if you are unsure how this relates to your project. Contact details are at the bottom of this page.

Printshop’s services, including materials, are free to everyone except for companies with whom we have specific arrangements. In some cases, we can also create invoices or accept credit or bank card payments.

Thank you for being so considerate!

Here are a few suggestions depending on your needs, budget, and organisation.

Commercial manufacturers

  • Laser cutting – Laserle – Industrial commercial manufacturing in the Helsinki area.
  • 3D printing – 3D Print Farm – Espoo.
  • Paper printing – Unigrafia – Official partner of Aalto University.

Aalto University

  • FabLab – Laser cutting and 3D printing (FDM + SLA).
  • ADDlab – 3D printing.
  • Väre – Laser cutting and 3D printing.
  • Space 21 – Workspace.

Public libraries

CONTACT

Address and contact details

Viima Building is located at Puumiehenkuja 5, Entrance A. The main door is open from 07:45 to 18:00. Aalto staff members can access the building with their key tag outside of these hours.

Printshop is located on the first floor of the Viima Building, inside the DF Labs area. DF Labs are open from 08:00 to 16:00. Access to Printshop is reserved for Aalto Design Factory staff only.

Location of Viima Building
Location of Printshop in Viima Building

Regular 3D-printing requests should be submitted using the 3D Printing Request Form.

For laser-cutting requests, questions, special cases, or requests that require the attention of a specific Printshop employee, contact us at printshop-df@aalto.fi.

We are eager to support your projects and kindly ask for your understanding regarding our time constraints. To ensure effective assistance, please contact us by email before visiting. Include a brief overview of your project, its relevance, and your expected production timeline.

Scheduling in advance allows us to provide the dedicated service you require. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us manage our workflow and look forward to collaborating with you.

Warm wishes,

Printshop staff

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