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I’m new at this with 3D printing. I’m going to make a new pump wheel to our old dishwasher. It’s only 20 year old so I think it’s too early to buy a new one, and I also thinking about the nature whit alls this electronic junk.

My question is what material I’m going to use? The original is in some sort of plastic.

Is there some good tutorials I can read on Internet?

I’m going to draw in Solid Works. Something I

going to think about in this program?

Regard

Ola A.

1 Like
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Hi

My only knowledge is that i made an extra filter to put inside the stock one. I did this as small chicken bones could find its way through the filter and stop the pump.

I made one in PLA first but that started to break up after a few weeks. Then i made it in ABS and have hold up ever since. Bonus is that our drain in spared a lot of the crap that passes through normally

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It depends on the temperature and load. If it has to pump hot or warm water, PLA is out. If it has to generate any significant pressure, ABS is probably not going to last as long as you may wish. Nylon is the safest choice for both durability and temperature resistance.

The original wheel should also have some marking on it indicating what kind of plastic it is.

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If you are doing another pump wheel, you might want to consider making the wheel just a bit smaller, about 0.25mm smaller.

Then apply a coat of 2 part epoxy to the part.

The epoxy reinforces and seals the abs.

…

just a thought

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As much as I really enjoy 3D printing, and also the ability to make almost anything, I’d first check online for a replacement pump. Sears Parts will have the diagrams and part numbers for almost any make and model dishwasher. Once you’ve found the part number, do a Google search for it and you’ll find a wide range of places that will sell the pump including Amazon and Ebay (if you’re in North America). The cost is likely to be pretty low compared to the time and effort to design and print your own new wheel, plus you see the comments below about material selection. A new printed wheel isn’t going to have even a fraction of the lifespan of a new injection molded one. Depending on the make/model, you may end up replacing the entire pump, not just the wheel, but that will also serve to extend the life.

I say this as an avid DIY who rarely calls a service. I think my last one was for a blown AC compressor as I can’t justify the cost of the tools for refrigerant recovery. I do have a vacuum pump though :slight_smile: