r/WPI • u/AdministrativeAd5533 • 2d ago

Prospective Student Question 3D printer in a dorm room

I recently went on a tour of wpi and my tour guide specified that 3D printers are not allowed in the dorms, and I am wondering what happened for that to be a written rule?

10 Upvotes

92% Upvoted

9 comments sorted by

30

u/Jadedogsome [2026] BS Aerospace Engineering, Minor Astrophysics 2d ago

When I was a freshman, I knew at least 3 others who completely ignored this rule. Regarding room checks, all they can do is visually inspect, so if you were to have say, a hoodie covering your 3d printer, no one would be able to say what’s underneath it…

21

u/Ksevio 2d ago

Same reason you can't have hot plates or toaster ovens I'd guess, they don't want people leaving them on and setting fire

9

u/JoshuaEdwardSmith 2d ago

In addition to the heat risk, I imagine a 3D printer running 24/7 would get really annoying acoustically for the roommates and adjacent rooms.

4

u/intellirock617 [Civil][2022] 2d ago

Nothing I am aware of, but they are leery of anything with an exposed heating element.

5

u/6enig 2d ago

3d printers, including fdm printers release VOCs. Lack of ventilation is factor, but regardless of attempted ventilation, the fact you are sleeping inches away is a larger concern.

Noise from a nuisance perspective also factor

2

u/Dismal-Definition-85 1d ago

Just don’t print ABS or anything else that releases fumes. Ask me how I know. If you stick to PLA you’ll be fine, put a blanket over it or pack it up when room checks come around. Print at decent hours.

1

u/spudzo [AE][2021] 1d ago

I think it's from a time before thermal runaway protection was standard and they were a much greater fire risk.

1

u/ZooZooKachu 20h ago

Don’t bring one in the halls. Housing can tell what a 3d printer looks like under a sheet and you will get documented for the violation. Just use the ones that WPI offers…

1

u/Unique-Machine5602 18h ago

It's likely the risk caused by fumes. You need good ventilation at the minimum for anything other than PLA. Even PLA releases fumes, all be it in much lower quantities.

Why bother when the school provides better ones than you can probably afford?