chassis dimensions for 3d print

[PudseyBear]

Morning

Just a quick one. I've taken the plunge and started designing an ant on Tinkercad which i hope to get printed at some stage. What sort of thickness do people use for the chassis floor and external walls? Is there a standard measurement that people use?

Thanks

[EddieJ]

What material will you use?

For example, PLA or Polycarbonate is going to make a big difference to strength and thus the thickness you will want to use.

[PudseyBear]

Thanks Eddie. As a novice to 3d printing i'm just trying to learn the basics at the mo. I was hoping to do a prototype in PLA and then once the design is right get it printed in ABS (if that is the right thing to do?) I guess the the more infill the stronger and narrower the chassis could be?

My previous ants have been in polycarb bent and cut on a scroll saw but looking to make the next step up

Thanks again

[UserFriendly]

Morning

Just a quick one. I've taken the plunge and started designing an ant on Tinkercad which i hope to get printed at some stage. What sort of thickness do people use for the chassis floor and external walls? Is there a standard measurement that people use?

Thanks

Someplaces, walls can be 1mm, other places (like extenally - weapen facing walls) 2mm and thicker.

[PudseyBear]

Thanks. Looks like my bot is a little tubby in places. Specifically though, how thick do people print the chassis floor? is 2mm going to be enough or should it be more?

Cheers

[EddieJ]

Not experienced with combat bots, but I do run a 3D printing company (DLP FDM SLA DOD SLS methods) so i can advise on that.

Go with 100% infill For a thin 1/2mm wall, you will not use many more pence of material, but will be much stronger. Also increase your feed rate slightly so it overextrudes and fuses layers together better.
103% feedrate should do it.

For ABS, for even better strength try acetone vapor smoothing.
Consider getting a old cookie jar, acetone and kitchen towel.
Few Kitchen towels in cookie jar bottom, soak in acetone.
Place part on a trestle (upturned cup will do, just dont let it touch the tissue)
Close lid, wait 30 mins for the vapours to smooth the surface
https://rigid.ink/blogs/news/acetone-vapor-smoothing

Also it is possible to anneal ABS in the oven for even better strength.
Check this out
https://rigid.ink/blogs/news/how-to-ann ... r-strength

Happy printing!

On the original question, go with UF's suggestion

[UserFriendly]

Thanks. Looks like my bot is a little tubby in places. Specifically though, how thick do people print the chassis floor? is 2mm going to be enough or should it be more?

Cheers

Forthe bottom, I might go with 1 mm. Unless you're worried you might be vulnerable if flipped over, in which case, go with 2mm

[PudseyBear]

Thanks guys. I had 8mm lol. Back to the drawing board. Looking at a printer for xmas so no doubt ill be back with more questions

Cheers