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3D Printing Discuss 3D printed items and 3D printers as they relate to RC |
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#1 (permalink) |
Registered Users
Join Date: Oct 2013
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![]() Was wondering if any of you out there are using a 3D printer to make parts for helis that are no longer available? Id like to learn how to make tail blades and main gears and other stuff BUT no nothing about what kind of printer to get. Your thoughts on this are greatly appreciated.
![]() -Kelly in San Antonio
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AMA Member 120 SR, Nano QX, Nano CPX, MSR X, MCX Tandem, MCX2, AXE 100 CP, Blade 300X, Blade 500 3D, DX6i, TX-610 |
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#2 (permalink) |
Registered Users
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: always windy on the east coast
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![]() you might want to check out this forum.. its for 3d printing..
https://www.helifreak.com/forumdisplay.php?f=442
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a bunch of helis... now all vcontrol and neo..finally :lol |
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#3 (permalink) | |
Registered Users
Join Date: Dec 2006
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#4 (permalink) |
Registered Users
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![]() I have one that I picked up when I started building mini quads. I have printed a number of plane and quad parts, but only a few for helis and not any for high stress parts. I haven't been willing to do the mods to the printer to be able to print the higher temp filaments like nylon that would be better for making such parts.
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--citizen 19-- ama#986265, W8RMB, T-Rex 700n 700e, 600n, 550X, 550e, 500 efl pro, 450 pro.. a couple of planks and a couple of quads...I am not a rep for anyone |
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#5 (permalink) |
Registered Users
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Maple Valley'ish, WA
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![]() if you can CAD it up, you'll get better results using quick turn machine houses.
protolab xometry sunpe mfg.com
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XLPower 520 - Brain OMP M2 Explore - HeliFlight-3d TX: Fr-Sky X9 Lite S |
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#6 (permalink) |
Registered Users
Join Date: Feb 2015
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![]() Get a 3D printer, they are a lot of fun, but the reality is for consumable parts, they are not there yet. Its cheaper/easier to just retrofit something else from another heli in most cases.
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#7 (permalink) |
Registered Users
Thread Starter
![]() Join Date: Oct 2013
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![]() I saw a 4 in 1 printer that has 4 diff tool heads, thought that might be a cool one to get BUT, I'm kind of confused on what to do. My goal would be to be able to make hobby stuff I can use, not worthless trinkets that you end up throwing away. What are the main gears on our helis made of, Nylon, ABS?
I would want a printer that can handle those materials. Then there's the design aspect. Can I take , say a main gear to a place that does 3d scanning and come back with a file the printer can use? I would also like to learn to design myself. ( I'm RETIRED) so plenty of time here. What To Do ![]()
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AMA Member 120 SR, Nano QX, Nano CPX, MSR X, MCX Tandem, MCX2, AXE 100 CP, Blade 300X, Blade 500 3D, DX6i, TX-610 |
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#8 (permalink) |
HF Support
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![]() 3D printed main gears would likely not survive on larger helis. Smaller helis, with gears printed from nylon *might* survive if your printer settings are really dialed in. Things like brackets, clips etc. are all doable for low load applications in PLA (Typical filament for newbies) and ABS (A little harder to print as it doesn't tolerate drafts or changes in temp while printing so an enclosure is usually used)
There are MANY other filament types out there and each requires certain temps, flow rates, nozzles etc to print and even things like how filament is fed to the hot-end (The print head if you will) are important. Most main gears are injection molded and/or machined. Nylon, Delrin etc are common materials. As for the design side, there are tons of free tools out there that have more than enough capability to draw up parts. SketchUp, TinkerCAD, Meshmixer, even Fusion 360 if it's for personal, hobby use. I use SolidWorks, but my license is expiring soon and it's too expensive for most individuals (me being one of them) so I'm learning Fusion 360 with some help from the AutoDesk online tutorials and a YouTube series called "Learn Fusion 360 or Die Trying". As for 3D scanning, it's been a few years since I've done this and things have likely changed, but it's not cheap. Basically, the object is scanned which generates a point cloud. A mesh or surface then needs to be built with those points and a 3D file is generated. This is either done manually or via machine. Your 3D file, depending on format (We used to get STEP or IGES files) then needs to be turned into an STL (STereoLitography) file which is then "sliced" into GCode for printing. The parameters for how that particular object is printed is yet another 'learning curve' item. Wall thickness, layer height, infill percentage and type etc. all play a part in the end result. It's not hard to learn, it's just that there is a lot to it to get decent, repeatable results. Personally, I've enjoyed the challenge and have my particular unit set up pretty well after a month or so of tinkering/testing and have printed a bunch of useful things. (and some really silly ones too!)
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-Kevin No helicopters were harmed in the creation of this post. AMA CD # 7309, Turbine Waiver# RW 890 Click Here For Bergen Intrepid Turbine Build Videos |
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#9 (permalink) |
Registered Users
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Ohio
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![]() There is really no comparison between injection molded parts and 3D printed parts.
Injection molded parts are totally homogeneous. 3D printed parts are done layer-by-layer, and the strength just isn't there.
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. . Math is hard. Twin Rexx Chinooks, mCX, mCPX |
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#10 (permalink) |
Registered Users
Join Date: Aug 2013
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![]() I've recently gotten into 3D printing and have made several RC parts so far. I'm not sure if I would make anything that will see significant load but the parts I've made so far have held up just fine.
I've used my 180 CFX as a test platform with great success so far. This experimenting has also resulted in an incredibly light heli, as I've been trying to print parts to replace the stock alloy parts. The stock heli weighs around 200g in stock config with an eflite 3s 450mah and mine is at 182 AUW swinging 180mm mains.The parts I'm currently flying the heli with: Bottom plate Battery plate Motor mount Bearing blocks Skids Tail fin Main rotor hub I will try printing a main gear and see how that holds up. I've printed tiny spur gears for my 1/18 scale rc truck and they've been holding up not too bad.
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GAUI X5 + X3 JR FORZA 450 BLADE 180CFX-L |
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#11 (permalink) |
Registered Users
Thread Starter
![]() Join Date: Oct 2013
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![]() Just pulled the trigger on an Ender 5, ( Should have it by Apr, 15th)I wanted the Ender 5 Pro BUT, waited to long and there all out of stock SO, I ordered the 5 and will make it a Pro version over time. Trying to learn Fusion 360 (The Die Trying one) but keep running into problems. A-lot of the stuff he does I cant get mine to do what his does. Wish I could go to an actual class of find a live webinar.
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AMA Member 120 SR, Nano QX, Nano CPX, MSR X, MCX Tandem, MCX2, AXE 100 CP, Blade 300X, Blade 500 3D, DX6i, TX-610 |
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#12 (permalink) |
HF Support
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![]() I'm guessing you're running into some of the same issues I am with the Fusion 360 'course'. The videos are showing an older version of Fusion and the interface with the latest version is changed a bit.
I find myself pausing the videos and having to hunt for the menus/commands the 'instructor' is working with. Once you've figured out where they are, it gets easier to follow along.
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-Kevin No helicopters were harmed in the creation of this post. AMA CD # 7309, Turbine Waiver# RW 890 Click Here For Bergen Intrepid Turbine Build Videos |
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#13 (permalink) | |
Registered Users
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Ohio
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![]() Quote:
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. . Math is hard. Twin Rexx Chinooks, mCX, mCPX |
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#14 (permalink) |
Registered Users
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Charlotte, NC USA
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![]() How's the printer working out?
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Protos 700X Evo, Kraken/700 Havok/Kraken 580/Buddy 380 KSE, Logo 550SX V2; YGE "T" ESCs, Neo VLinks;VBC Touch, AGM Deep Cycle Batteries Simulators (on MacBook Pro): Heli-X, neXt, AccuRC, RF9, Phoenix, AeroFly RC7 Ultimate Citizen 259 |
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