3d printing applied to cruisers

[Allied39]

It may be of interest to some to see a bit about how 3d printing can be used aboard in the way of problem solving.

With the availability of plastics ranging from basic PLA for design testing to carbon fiber infused TPU it looks like 3d printing can be of great advantage for some issues not easily solved by other means.

No one system can do all, and not everybody has access to tig welders and lathes, but all knowledge is of value.

This guy has a good handle on it and you can see how he has applied 3d printing to solve some of his requirements.

https://youtu.be/mMfBAtbgGb4

Hope this is of help to some.

[goboatingnow]

I use my 3D printer to make loads of fittings for my boat . PETG is very suitable material

[steffan]

I've printed a lot of custom electronics cases, fittings, plumbing, and hot air heat parts. Printed this in ABS just last night to attach a hose quick-connect to my water fill.

[dfelsent]

Originally Posted by steffan

I've printed a lot of custom electronics cases, fittings, plumbing, and hot air heat parts. Printed this in ABS just last night to attach a hose quick-connect to my water fill.

Looks great!

How does the strength of that printed part compare to an injection molded part?

[goboatingnow]

In my experience which is with PETG , layer adhesion is very good. The key is the design, to take into account the loadings

[steffan]

Originally Posted by dfelsent

Looks great!

How does the strength of that printed part compare to an injection molded part?

Thanks. No idea really, but it's obviously not critical. If it breaks some things will get slightly wet. I made an earlier version in PLA both at 30% infill, and I think that probably would have done the job too. That design needed some tweaks anyway. I'm still learning with ABS, and I don't know much about it yet. Mostly so I can make hot air heater parts.

[steffan]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

In my experience which is with PETG , layer adhesion is very good. The key is the design, to take into account the loadings

Any reason for the choice of PETG?

[sailcrazy]

Following. What s/w di you use, and how do you "model" the part you want to feed the 3D printer. How would you create a model for a ?? (solar panel hold-down, for example) to feed the printer? Don't have one (yet) and trying to learn.

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by steffan

Any reason for the choice of PETG?

Easier to print then ABS , doesn’t smell up the place , excellent layer adhesion , waterproof and UV stable

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by sailcrazy

Following. What s/w di you use, and how do you "model" the part you want to feed the 3D printer. How would you create a model for a ?? (solar panel hold-down, for example) to feed the printer? Don't have one (yet) and trying to learn.

The 3D printing part is easy. The challenge is learning a good 3D design tool line Fusion 360. Then having the understanding of how to create a strong 3D printable part.

[steffan]

Originally Posted by sailcrazy

Following. What s/w di you use, and how do you "model" the part you want to feed the 3D printer. How would you create a model for a ?? (solar panel hold-down, for example) to feed the printer? Don't have one (yet) and trying to learn.

Disclaimer: I'm a seasoned programmer and CAD user, but have only been printing for a few months.

The best place I've found for open source designs is https://www.thingiverse.com/. I'm sure there are others, I haven't looked much.

That will get you an STL file, which is the first step for an existing design. Think of it as a generic, 3D CAD file. It describes the shape, but not how to build it because that depends on the hardware and material (aka filament).

You can create from scratch or modify your own design with something like https://www.tinkercad.com.

Next, you have to turn that design into instructions for the printer itself. I think most people use https://ultimaker.com/software/ultimaker-cura. That software will import your STL design file and "slice" it, turning it into the instructions that tell the printer what to do as it builds up the piece layer by layer. You have to choose a bunch of options but as long as you have a popular model and use basic filament most of the settings are well defined. You'll learn through trial and error what to tweak. You'll learn about support, adhesion, and fill ratios. The output of that file will be in another format that the printer itself consumes.

I'm running my printer at my house but it will break down small enough to store on my boat and can be powered by any reasonable inverter.

[steffan]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

Easier to print then ABS , doesn’t smell up the place , excellent layer adhesion , waterproof and UV stable

I'll have to try it

I must have a bad sense of smell - haven't noticed anything that bad about ABS.

[Dogscout]

There are lots of Lewmar plastic bits on my boat that are falling apart thanks to the sun. Having someone with. 3D printer to make new ones would be wonderful. Sadly I am beyond trying it myself

[goboatingnow]

I’m bringing mine back to the boat in the autumn.

[JC Reefer]

Tinkercad is super simple and free to use. Check it out online.

You can download designs from thingiverse. Almost all of it is free and can be edited in tinkercad. It’s an easy and cheap way to get started.

https://www.thingiverse.com