Advice needed for a new piece
Hi,
I need to fix a lost support for a bicycle trailer. The thing is almost like this:
(I know I could buy it on amazon for 10 €, but where's the fun ? )
So It look pretty easy to design, but should it be specifically tweaked to enhance strengh ?
The question is more how I should print it so that it's sturdy enough to support the load ? Should ABS printed with 100% infill be enough, providing a little of flexibility ? Or is material like polycarbonate the only way to go ?
Any feedback, idea, suggestion ?
I'm like Jon Snow, I know nothing.
Re: Advice needed for a new piece
I hope you don't put your kids (if you have any) in that bicycle trailer 😀
That looks like metal to me, I would not even think about replacing it with a 3D printed part, if there's even a small risk that something bad would happen when it breaks.
Re: Advice needed for a new piece
Christophe, Hi!
Ditto what Patrik has said. Anything printed will always be very weak along the layers, so you would ideally have to design something with both vertical and horizontal layering - not an easy task.
You do get better strength with greater layer height and thicker extrusion widths, so ideally an E3D Volcano with 0.8mm nozzle, printing 0.6mm layers and 1mmm width...
Peter
Please note: I do not have any affiliation with Prusa Research. Any advices given are offered in good faith. It is your responsibility to ensure that by following my advice you do not suffer or cause injury, damage…
Re: Advice needed for a new piece
Ditto what everyone else said.
But what you could do is 3d print it, then use the 3D print to Cast a much stronger piece, say out of fiberglass reinforce resin?
If you've never cast anything its easier than you think!
Re: Advice needed for a new piece
Hi guys,
thanks for your feedbacks 🙂
Hopefully, the trailer is not for the kids, they're too heavy now 😉 The trailer attachement is secured with an additional flat belt, it can limit risks a bit.
However I will just try, because that's a good challenge and a way to learn something. I take note of the importance of the layer direction, as well as greater layer height. I still have only a standard 0.4 mm nozzle, maybe it's time to complete with some additional nozzles.
From the filament I have right now (PLA/ABS/PET) I think PET is the best candidate, but I plan to go to polycarbonate and will give it a go as well with the MK2 !
I'm like Jon Snow, I know nothing.
Re: Advice needed for a new piece
Hi guys,
thanks for your feedbacks 🙂
Hopefully, the trailer is not for the kids, they're too heavy now 😉 The trailer attachement is secured with an additional flat belt, it can limit risks a bit.
However I will just try, because that's a good challenge and a way to learn something. I take note of the importance of the layer direction, as well as greater layer height. I still have only a standard 0.4 mm nozzle, maybe it's time to complete with some additional nozzles.
From the filament I have right now (PLA/ABS/PET) I think PET is the best candidate, but I plan to go to polycarbonate and will give it a go as well with the MK2 !
As long as you don't take the trailer into traffic or test it around other cyclists I'm sure it's a fun test.
I assume that you need a very flexible and at the same time strong filament. Polycarbonate is strong but has no flexibility as all, I don't think that will work.
Some of Taulman's Nylon's like 618 or 230 is probably a good guess.
I think PET have to high tensile values, even if its better than Polycarbonate, but it will snap. A connection like that will experience loads of stress from all sides and needs to be highly flexible.
Re: Advice needed for a new piece
Reviving an old thread here. How did it turn out? A good material would be nylon. Great layer adhesion and gives you the strength and flex you would need. You may also try NylonX. Incredible strength.