What did you 3D print today?

Each config is a little different because of different layouts but in general somewhere around 45 degrees and tree supports that I try and minimize for easier post processing.

Example:

 

I tried similar but I had it at a 45 off the long bottom edge. I found it would screw up the first few layers and would start separating. It will do that pretty much anytime I try to start a print on and edge like that, regardless the supports used. I might try your method on a test panel this weekend.

 

Damn, that Auxbeam panel looks clean, nice work. New to 3d printing/modeling and never thought to print at an angle like that, I assumed I'd always want the largest planar surface against the bed. Mighta missed it but what material are you printing in, @ITmaD ? I'll be printing a switch panel sometime soon but I'm concerned about PLA warping in the heat of a hot cab. I've got a bowden setup so not sure I can use anything exotic, but I guess I could always send it off to have the final version printed by xometry or something.

Posted this elsewhere but here's my first real functional design/print: rack and pinion locking system for my camper drawers, using a garage door-style deadbolt cylinder and a 1/4" stainless rod

 

I'm printing with PET-CF filament.

PLA over time will for 100% start sagging and deform from normal heat I know first hand since when I started out years ago on my first printer I printed a little visor clip to hold my sunglasses and I came back the next day to find them on the floor with the clip completely lost it's shape in the Georgia heat. Another member just ran into the same problem too in a thread they with a side panel posted https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/looking-for-aux-beam-mount.837496/#post-29989130

Before using the PET-CF I used ASA on my previous versions of the panels but the easier grade of materials I'd consider if you wanted to do is probably ABS or PETG.

Also if you needed help getting something printed or whatever I don't mind helping.

 

I can vouch for @ITmaD 's prints. He sent me a switch panel for my lights and it looks great. I have my own pretty awesome printer that I'm still tuning, I do a lot with ASA and have good results. I have yet to play with the PET-CF filament, but I can see how it will be useful for some projects I have planned.

Ill post a pic after I get my panel installed, (I'm waiting on new switches) I didn't want to post a half done Pic and have people think it was the fault of the print.

 

Right on, thanks! I’ll do some research on those and see what looks reasonable for my Ender. Now I’m thinking I should reprint this lock so I don’t lose access to camping gear on a hot day… good excuse to iterate on the design I guess

 

Yeah Ender 3 should be able to do ABS and PETG fine, you might run into some warping issues warping if you don't have an encloser but you can make one from anything like literally throwing a large enough cardboard box over it or any sort of tarp just to keep the heat around the printer.

 

ABS gives off toxic fumes known to the State of [redacted] to cause cancer. Don't do that inside.

 

I was able to get another 2 version of the panel completed thanks to @Fat taco for trusting me with his 6 Gang.

 

Bought a fat tire e-bike a few days ago. They don't seem to have a provision for a water bottle, other than some overpriced bulky universal velcro things.
So I made an adapter to fit the old style cage. Turns out that was perfect as the space in the cage is needed to remove the battery.
Backside, relief for the nuts. This was covered afterward with felt to protect the bike finish.

Front side. There is a small piece of dense foam rubber at the base for it to rest on the bike frame.

I added grooves for the ties, so they sit almost flush.

Worked out better than expected and only took one prototype to get it right.

 

With printer nozzels, is it best to replace with the same brand as the machine, or is there a particular brand/type that performs better?

 

Most basic nozzles are brass so the brand doesn't matter much unless you're looking for something specific like a hardened/wear-resistant material for printing abrasive filaments. It's more important that the thread on the nozzle is correct and the general dimensions are the same so the air from your part cooling fan doesn't hit the nozzle or miss the printed layer entirely.

 

Pump showed up, so changes had to be made.

 

First attempt at the auxbeam panel. The supports kind of ruined the underside..

 

Not a bad go. Try doing it turned 45 degrees and setting the tree supports to built plate only so that it doesn't make trees inside the print and it should reduce the amount of supports.

 

Dude. Your prints are like OEM. They're crazy good. Have you tried selling on the FB marketplace? There's a specific group for Tacomas. I posted my 1" ball mount on there and sold like 10-12 in 2 days. I'm sure there would be plenty of buyers on there.

 

Has anyone printed an organizer for the 2g armrest?

 

Gonna look into it, I keep making revisions and more custom layouts. Hard for me to settle lol

 

There were some people in that fb group who were asking for a gen 3 version of the ball mount. Maybe you could make a panel with a ball mount that they can attach an arm to?

 

The driver side panel or overhead?