Guest Fri May 08, 2020 6:42 am
PLA should hold up fine. As long as a good wall thickness is used there should not be a problem of water seeping through microscopic cracks in the print. I think the thing to watch out for most is direct sunlight, as mentioned. PLA will start to warp at 50-ish degrees or so (for example in a car on a sunny day). Especially parts that have en open profile without bracing, Like a “U” or “C”.
Alternatively one can use PETG, which I believe handles heat better but might be less rigid, like a plastic bottle. For things that need to take some force ABS is probably the way to go, unless one has won the lottery and have the possibility to print Carbon fiber materials. Actually, come to think about it, there is Carbon fiber infused PLA for even stronger prints.
3D printing has its limitations, which one can overcome with some smart thinking and some good designs, and it definitely has its place in the hobby. Will it make other processes obsolete, I doubt it. It is a powerful tool that is for sure. Anything from small parts to jigs for other manufacturing processes to entire subs.
BR
Fri Apr 26, 2024 1:58 pm by david f
» Modulated electric fields for submarine communication in a "heads up" from Harry!
Sun Apr 21, 2024 6:09 am by geofrancis
» 868/915 Mhz as a viable frequency for submarines.
Wed Apr 10, 2024 5:48 am by tsenecal
» Laser cut Robbe U47 conversion
Tue Apr 09, 2024 3:40 pm by david f
» ExpressLRS - 868/915 Mhz equipment
Tue Apr 02, 2024 3:27 pm by tsenecal
» Information on camouflage patterns for German seahund
Fri Mar 15, 2024 4:36 pm by david f
» WW2 mini sub build
Tue Mar 12, 2024 1:56 pm by geofrancis
» Not the hobby I expected :)
Sun Mar 10, 2024 6:30 pm by cat
» Sheerline gasket material
Mon Feb 19, 2024 9:24 pm by Michaelc