I am hoping to have some 3D printing done, but know nothing about it and have only just stumbled across this marvellous website.
I have a requirement to make various fairly simple, one off small parts for fitting to an astronomical telescope. Prior to finding this site, I was all set to find someone to machine these parts to my requirements from aluminium, for its lightness, and then to have it anodised in black. Having looked around this website I see that various materials are in use in various finished colours, which could provide a suitable alternative for my needs. I would like to converse with someone who could advise me on the durability and suitability of these different materials, who might also be able to turn a simple drawing produced by me into a printable file and then print the item and post it to me.
Hoping someone will have an interest in the above.
Could you describe how the parts get used. I would need more information about what kind of strength is required.
Examples would be:
grinding (like in a gearbox), pulling forces, pushing forces (the part would support a heavy object), temperature resistance, longlivity (not bio-degradable),
brittle (would break instead of bend) / slightly flexible (barely bendable, but wouldnt break under load) / flexible (bendable by hand) / elastic (like rubber bands), what kind of surface (rubber, slippery, textured, shiny, matt, transparent, glowing in the dark, …), what kind of color, what material in general (pure plastic, pure metal, plastic composite), weight / density
I could design the model for you and would be able to print it in a lot of different plastics and plastic composites, I don’t offer pure metal prints or full color prints.
If you like, you can click on the “MB” icon below this comment to get to my hub, there you can contact me and we can have a discussing.
PS: also pictures of the spot in which the parts get mounted, would maybe help with the material choise.
Hi Pete , Can you send me a drawing and we will see what we can do with it , we have just set up a small company doing 3d printing,laser cutting and engraving shortly to be followed by cnc capabilities.
Hi if you could share the drawing I could see the level of difficulty in the project and maybe give you a price and recommended material for the project.
Its 70% PLA and 30% aluminium powder meaning you get a piece looking almost identical to aluminium.
If you want any more information then feel free to contact us at support@3dexfilament.co.uk We will be happy to offer you any advice in relation to your project.
