What is the Up! Mini? The Up! Mini is a compact, desktop FDM 3D printer developed by Tiertime, a leading manufacturer of user-friendly 3D printing solutions. Designed for accessibility and simplicity, the Up! Mini offers reliable printing with ABS and PLA filaments, making it a popular choice for beginners, educators, and hobbyists. Despite its small footprint, it delivers consistent results with a fully enclosed build chamber for improved print quality and safety. Why Rent the Up! Mini in Our Lab? Renting the Up! Mini through our lab offers an excellent opportunity for anyone looking to prototype small objects, explore 3D printing basics, or produce functional parts on a budget. It’s ideal for educational environments, early-stage product testing, and personal creative projects. Advantages of Renting from Our Lab: • Beginner-Friendly Support: Our staff assists with setup, slicing, and troubleshooting—ideal for first-time users. • Flexible Booking Options: Use the printer as needed—by the hour, day, or project duration. • Creative Community Access: Connect with others in our makerspace to exchange ideas, collaborate, and learn. • Budget-Friendly Entry to 3D Printing: Avoid upfront equipment costs while gaining hands-on experience. • Kept in Excellent Condition: The Up! Mini is cleaned, maintained, and tested regularly to ensure reliable, worry-free performance. Quick Overview • Printer Model: Up! Mini • Manufacturer: Tiertime • Technology: FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) • Available For: On-premise rental only – contact our lab to schedule time • Best For: Educators, students, hobbyists, and beginners Technical Specifications • Build Volume: 120 x 120 x 120 mm • Layer Resolution: 0.2 mm • Material Compatibility: ABS, PLA (1.75 mm filament) • Build Chamber: Fully enclosed for better temperature control • Heated Build Plate: Yes • Connectivity: USB • Software: Up! Software (simple and beginner-friendly interface) • Automatic Calibration: Manual leveling required (in early versions), later models may offer assisted leveling Applications and Use Cases • Educational Projects: Teach or learn 3D modeling and printing fundamentals in a hands-on environment. • Small Part Prototyping: Ideal for quickly producing small prototypes and functional models. • Hobbyist Creations: Bring DIY designs, figurines, or tools to life with an easy-to-use desktop machine. • Intro to Digital Fabrication: Offers a smooth transition into the world of 3D printing with low learning curve. • Workshop Use: Great for workshops or classes due to its portability and simple operation. Considerations and Advantages • Compact and Safe: Enclosed chamber improves print quality and user safety—especially useful in classrooms. • Reliable for Small Prints: Though older, the Up! Mini remains dependable for basic printing tasks. • Simple Software: Designed to minimize friction in slicing and sending files to print. • Heated Bed Helps with ABS: Reduces warping, a common issue in small printers. • Better than DIY Alternatives: Offers greater stability and support than homemade or low-tier budget models. • Improved from Early Entry Models: Builds on the foundation of early entry-level printers with more consistent extrusion and better enclosure design. Maintaining and Optimizing Performance • Calibrated and Ready: Our unit is pre-calibrated before each session for immediate use. • Routine Cleaning: Nozzle and bed are regularly cleaned to prevent jams and adhesion issues. • Help on Hand: Staff available to help with leveling, material changes, or troubleshooting. • Material Guidance: Learn how different filament settings affect print strength, detail, and finish.