Introducing: “PIY-Paks” – Print It Yourself packages for select inserts

Today we are expanding into a new area!  The opportunity for you to download the STL model files for select inserts and print the insert yourself for personal use.  Called “PIY-Paks“, they contain the set of STL files needed to print your own copy of the insert.  Additionally, we provide a README file that gives you some starter parameters for configuring your slicer and identifies each model in the package; quantity to print; and a few other bits of helpful information.  Each PIY-Pak listing includes a link to the README file so you can preview it before purchase.

These are completely digital downloads and do not contain any physical product.  There is a licensing requirement that is a part of the purchase.  Purchasing a PIY-Pak is your acceptance of the associated licensing requirement.  You can read the licensing requirement at the bottom of this post.

We’ve spent a fair amount of time thinking over the approach and implications for this and have gone back and forth on the best way to accomplish this.  Given the progress made with 3D printers and how much more prevalent they are over when we started this adventure, we thought it was time to open up this avenue of access for those that are interested in printing their own inserts and at the same time provide a way to support the store and continued development of new inserts.  There are obvious cost savings when you print your own, especially for our international customers.

If you have experience with 3D printing or have a buddy that has experience, this may be a good opportunity for you.  If you have no 3D printing experience, you should prepare yourself to invest some time to learn how to use a 3D printer and configure a slicer to convert the STL model files to GCODE which contains the printing instructions for your printer.

Currently we have the following 2 inserts available as PIY-Paks:

Can You Hear Me Now – RT Deluxe

Tomb of the Pharaohs

Going forward, we are generally planning to release new inserts in both physical and PIY-Pak format.

Below you’ll find the standard licensing agreement that we’ve come up with.  The goal has been to provide enough flexibility that you can purchase the package and have a friend print it for you, or get it printed at a local library or maker space if you don’t have a printer yourself.

Licensing

This package of files, identified in the included README document, has a non-commercial, personal use only license. These designs are protected by copyright, and you are granted the right to use these files to print them strictly for personal use. You are prohibited from receiving any money, trade, or compensation for these files as well as the 3D prints generated from these files. The following activities are prohibited:

  • Selling or renting the files
  • Transferring files to someone else
  • Selling or receiving compensation for physical prints made from the files
  • Sublicensing the files
  • Posting the files to peer networking sites, discussion boards, and/or file catalogs of any nature (including but not limited to Thingiverse, TurboSquid, Shapeways, myminifactory, or any other similar site)