3D Printer and Other Technologies Acceptable Use Policy

Policy Statement

To advance its educational mission, Carnegie Mellon University makes new and emerging technology available to its students, faculty and staff as they pursue scientific, academic and artistic excellence. At the same time, fundamental to the support of the university's larger mission and vision is ensuring an environment and culture of safety for the campus community, as well as compliance with applicable laws and University Policies.

3D printers are state-of-the-art tools that nurture creativity and discovery and, as such, the university supports the use of the 3D printers. However, 3D printing technology may be used to produce articles that violate applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations, as well as University Policies. In addition, while motivated by the new capabilities enabled by 3D printing, this Policy generally covers all technologies that might be used to produce the types of objects prohibited hereunder. The spirit of this Policy is not intended to be proscriptive in nature, or chill technology innovation at the university. Rather, its purpose is to provide reasonable limits on the types of objects that may be printed or produced when using 3D printers or other technologies on campus.

3D printers or other technology on campus may not be used, in one or more printing or production instances, to create materials that:

• Are in violation of Carnegie Mellon's Deadly Weapons Policy.
• Are any combination of parts either designed or intended for use in converting any device into a deadly weapon.
• Are in violation of any other Carnegie Mellon Policy (e.g., Code of Business Ethics and Conduct).
• Are prohibited by federal, state or local law (e.g., Undetectable Firearms Act of 1988).
• Violate another's intellectual property rights, and do not fall within the Fair Use Doctrine.
• Violate EHS guidelines on 3D printing safety [pdf] and CMU EHS Authorization Policy.