Best Material for 3D Printing of Drone/Plane Parts?

Posted by Alex Wong on October 14, 2014 at 11:13pm

I am waiting on my new printer and have the option of getting either PLA or ABS material as part of the initial package.

Can anyone help advise me on which would be best? Material for 3D Printing of Drone/Plane Parts?

Thanks in advance for any help.

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Replies

    • Rob Coatney > Alex Wong October 15, 2014 at 10:44am

      You're welcome.

      I sometimes print female molds directly in PLA and leave the ridges.

      If I'm doing something big or something that has to be mirror smooth, then I typically:

      - print a plug out

      - quickly sand surface rough with coarse sandpaper

      - scrape on a thin layer of 3M lightweight filler -- just enough to fill the grooves and sharpen corners (or use bondo)

      - quickly sand the filler flat with coarse sandpaper

      - spray on a layer or two of duratec surfacing primer

      - sand as per recommended schedule and power buff to mirror finish

      - build a standard gelcoat/fiberglass mold off of the plug

      Then mold composite parts using your favorite method.  Most of the parts of the plane in my avatar were built that way.

      If you're in more of a rush to get a smooth surface and don't care about perfectly sharp corners you could try the ABS/acetone route as previously mentioned.

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