I started print out the first two parts out of ABS or instead PLA. Which is more appropriate for 3D printing the rotors?
Thanks!
Dave
ABS, because it has better mechanical properties.
Also @kd8qwt uses PET-G, because it prints as PLA and it has same mechanical properties (maybe better) with ABS.
We have printed and tried all parts with ABS and for now we don’t have any issue.
If I recall correctly most of our tests are done using ABS, although some people have printed rotator parts in PLA too and posted pics in other threads but most have used PLA
My only issue with PLA is that it tends to get soft when it’s sitting in the sun, especially if you plan on running it outside in the heat of summer inside an enclosure. I would at the very least use ABS.
Regarding eSUN’s PETG, I find it to be less brittle than PLA and is stiffer than ABS. The surface finish is much smoother, which reduces the friction for gears (although not as much as nylon). I have broken several PETG printed pieces to test for strength, and never has it broken along the layer lines. It’s also much more difficult to break than PLA or ABS. It doesn’t quite print like PLA. In some ways it prints easier, while others not so much. Curling of the edges pretty much doesn’t happen. It’s horrible for bridging however. Shrinkage is far less than either PLA or ABS, which is a bonus when printing mechanical parts that must fit together. It does require some tweaking, like slowing down the print speeds. Overall it’s pretty good to work with. I’ve mostly stopped using ABS in favor of PETG. There are a few manufacturers of PETG now, but I’ve only ever tried eSUN’s.
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Also, UV resistance of either material shouild be taken into accout. Which one is better?
Unless the filament manufacturer specifically states that the filament is UV resistant, assume that you’ll have to cover any exposed plastic. Pick a nice color of paint.
Use black and yellow stripes and tell the neighbors it’s a bee hive 