
WilkinsMicawber
Plexiglass/Acrylic is my go-to robot chasis-building material, but it is near-impossible to make round objects with plexiglass. I'm thinking of purchasing a 3d printer, but from what I can see in pictures, 3d printed objects have a very particular texture and appearance that seems native to 3d printed objects. I'm not sure whether such is desirable for my projects. I would like to attain a very smooth, glossy, and professional appearance. I have never been able to touch a 3d printed object, so I'm trying to gather some impressions from people who have some printing experience.
Has anyone here printed parts for robots?
Can anyone comment as to how 3d printed parts would compare to plexiglass in terms of feasible texture and/or appearance?
Particular filament recommendations?
Thank you.
The Infill of a 3D printed part helps to determine how strong it is. Some people print gears and such with 100% infill, which makes them quite strong.
The amount of flex that an object has is determined by the filament that is used. There are some very flexible filaments (used for joints in fingers or treads on a track or tire on a wheel for example) and there are filaments that have metal particles in them. It is really up to what you want to use.
As far as smoothing a 3D printed object, most will use sandpaper if the part needs to be smoother. Some will fill and paint parts also. Some filaments are able to be polished using Acetone and other chemicals.
I do recommend using a 3D printer for robot parts. There are other options like making molds and casting parts. A 3D printer can be used to make your blank which then can have a mold made from it. Depending on how smooth your 3D printed part is will determine how smooth your mold is. This gets expensive up front but allows you to duplicate parts quickly (in an hour or so as opposed to multiple hours). Most people don't go to this route simply due to the upfront cost and skill in making molds that is needed, but it is an option.
I hope this helps. If you decide to go the 3D printing route, there are a ton of various options. Which printer, which slicer software and so on. After a while, you will want to start building your own parts from your own designs probably. This then gets into deciding on which CAD program or 3D modeling program to use. It is a world on its own, but lucky for you, you would be getting into it when there are a ton of really good options available instead of sourcing and building something from scratch.
Seems like sanding and acetone treating ABS might get a pretty professional looking result.
Will prolly get the following printer:
https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=13860
I could never make this with Plexi
The robots you all create with 3d printers are just amazing.
Really looking forward to finding my first 3D printer.
Now the real fun begins!
Oh and btw, once you got your prototype working you could also send the parts to a company and get them milled or in nice glossy finished ceramic...the possibilities are endless!