Test prints of my own designs.

The front axle/steering pedestal came out well enough to use with a bit of sanding.

The rear wheel was about 90% successful. The main problem is the spokes. The ones that printed on the bed surface are fine. The ones on the "top" of the wheel didn't have enough support and didn't all connect to the rim, plus left strings all over. I tried a couple of different set ups with much the same results.

I'm thinking the solution is to print the wheels in halves so both sets of spokes are supported by the bed surface. Then I can clock them to offset the spokes and glue them together. About to try that.

The good news is that these small objects print in under 30 minutes.

Working on the 1:64 steam engine for my diorama.

Wheels, stack/headlight, front axle and pedestal, steam dome, water barrels and coal box all printed on the 3D printer. The rest is built from various plastic sheet and shapes.

Took 4 tries on the rear wheels and 3 on the front to get results I was pleased with. I initially tried to print the wheels and spokes as a unit on the rear, but the spokes didn't always connect to the rim as they were unsupported during the print process. Then I attempted printing the wheels in two halves so the spokes were supported by the bed of the printer which worked, but gluing them together was problematic due to delicacy of the spokes and warping of the rims as they cooled.

Wound up printing the rims separately and printing 4 sets of spokes (inner and outer for two wheels) on the bed and printed the spokes bigger than I really liked so they weren't so delicate.

The stack came out perfect first shot, as did pretty much everything else.

Long way to go yet, but it's getting there. Looking at the picture, the stack/headlight print looks a little out of scale - too big. Might scale that down a bit and re-print it.

Link if you can't see the picture: http://www.eastovershoe.com/di...steamer/steamer3.jpg

Looking good, Paul!

How temperature sensitive are these? Would one function well in a garage?

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:
How temperature sensitive are these? Would one function well in a garage?

I'm told temperature is not an issue within reason as the bed and nozzle are both heated by the machine.

The big problem with siting it in the garage is humidity. The filament is hygroscopic and will absorb moisture from the air and swell up.

I'm using PLA filament and doing it on my computer desk in the den. No issues with fumes/odor.

I'm also told ABS filament is nasty and best used in a well-ventilated area.

quote:

Originally posted by PHPaul:

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:
How temperature sensitive are these? Would one function well in a garage?

I'm told temperature is not an issue within reason as the bed and nozzle are both heated by the machine.

The big problem with siting it in the garage is humidity. The filament is hygroscopic and will absorb moisture from the air and swell up.

I'm using PLA filament and doing it on my computer desk in the den. No issues with fumes/odor.

I'm also told ABS filament is nasty and best used in a well-ventilated area.

It depends heavily on the material that is being used in the print, the common PLA filament is pretty well behaved regardless, but ABS and nylon among others really benefit from a heated enclosure to reduce part warping and other issues.

Thanks, I'm probably putting my new Pi4 in the garage, hooked up to a spare TV we have taking up space.
Was thinking a printer on a small table would go well with that.

We have insulated garage doors, so it doesn't get as cold/hot as a 'normal' garage.