Reservations in the Rapid Prototyping Studio are charged on a per-hour usage basis. We do not currently have the ability to charge directly, so we use a credits-based system. If you don't have enough credits in your account, you will not be able to make a reservation. Credits are given for free in set amounts to users enrolled in certain MEEN courses and for Personal use at the beginning of every semester. For Research use, and Personal use that goes over your current account balance, credits can be purchased in our online store.
We hope this guide helps you understand our pricing structure and plan your projects accordingly. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out to RPS staff.
When you reserve a machine, the cost is determined by the type of machine and the duration of your reservation. Our pricing reflects the upkeep and maintenance required to keep our equipment in top working condition. In the case of some equipment such as 3D Printers, it also includes the average cost of material used per hour of printing. Given that 1 credit is equal to $1.00, here are the reservation costs for our most popular machines:
In addition to machine reservation costs, you may need to purchase materials for your projects. We offer a wide range of materials for sale in our online store.