3D Printing

[killpanda]

I guess I’ve just joined the ranks and also got myself an A1 (no AMS for now, we’ll see the discounts around Black Friday). Damn that thing feels like a spaceship compared with the old Makerbot 2 I used to have. So far it’s been incredibly easy and satisfying to use.

We’ve bought it to make tools, stamps and molds for pottery related usages (thus the no AMS need for now), but I’m fully intent on printing fun stuff for around the house as well!

 

[Matt2000]

Bambu messing with the PETG Basic (it's apparently discontinued but is all back in stock) delayed this project, but after getting my hands on purple and orange PETG I could finally print my Spyro model.





He's not completely perfect but I'd never been great at assembling models, nevertheless I think he turned out great. Alongside him is a benchy I added while printing the head, with the software set to purge into that model. Rather than having a big purge tower I throw away this means I can cut the tower size right down and then keep the interesting benchy. Orientation for some of the parts was tricky, I had to re-print his crest and wings because I initially laid them down and one side looked like ass.

I just happened to have a purple paint marker that was perfect for the raised scales, so that was nice.

He's based on this one:
https://www.crealitycloud.com/model-detail/637a699e81364998220d4375

 

[leviathan]

View attachment 3573004

Kids, when they tell you "PLA will deform in a hot car interior", they mean it:

This was a prototype part I printed in PLA to see if the added material stiffness compared to PETG would do anything to improve vibrations (spoiler: it does, albeit not a lot). It held up fine for a couple days, but then the car sat in straight sunlight with interior temps above 70° for a day, and well, this is what I found upon getting in for a drive Not surprising, but a great example why you want PETG, ABS or some more modern materials that are heat-resistant for vehicle interiors.

 

[Matt2000]

You should have remembered that from my PLA Smart shifter paddle extensions in 2019.

 

[killpanda]

Damn this printer is really precise. I just did a cat clay cutter / stamp that my wife drew. I just roughly made the model on Fusion 360 and sent it to the printer. The head plate fits perfectly through the mold with only 0.1mm tolerance, and the handle clicked perfectly into the head plate's back press fit holes!
There was a little bit of cleanup needed on the cutter part, I think the wall was a little bit too thin, but it's still nice and stiff, and should be usable without any problems.

I used the finest setting (0.12mm layer height, high quality), and I can barely see any print lines. I bought the 0.2mm nozzle just in case, but I think I'll leave it packed up for now.

 

[Matt2000]

Earlier in the year I had already made myself a desk fan using a Noctua A12S fan (apparently tuned for airflow), but yesterday I found out that Noctua had made a 120mm 'air multiplier available to print. They also sold this as a pre-made, overpriced kit. Obviously I printed my own.



Airflow is much improved over a plain fan. Perfectly timed for the end of summer. Available here:
https://www.printables.com/model/887071-nv-aa1-12-airflow-amplifier

 

[killpanda]

We’re experimenting with ceramics mold making using the 3D printer, and the first try has been a success so far!
After a lot of trial and error making the mold’s mold, I finally got something that I’m satisfied with and poured the plaster mold this weekend

It needs to cure/dry for a week or two before I can attempt to pour slip (liquid clay) in it


Considering how our first attempt at mold making about a year ago ended up in a garage floor absolutely drenched in plaster, this is definitely an upgrade!