4 ms·

how well will these stand the test of time?

• code_biologist 2y ago
  It will match or exceed commercial products if you pick a strong material and print settings. I've printed a ton of toolbox dividers, bins, clamps, hangers, etc out of PLA and PETG and 98% are still going strong after 4+ years. The things I've broken have had either literal hammers or my entire body weight land on them. PLA is common, really easy to print, vaguely biodegradable, and strong — but it is brittle, will deform under load, and will degrade in UV light. PETG, roughly the plastic in soda bottles, is a good choice for functional prints and addresses all the problems with PLA but is slightly less strong and is more difficult to print fine detail with. ABS/ASA will produce prints with strength and durability truly like commercial products, but you need a pretty decent printer + enclosure to avoid warping. Also it produces toxic fumes while printing. Tradeoffs.
  • ecjhdnc2025 2y ago
    > Tradeoffs. Yep. You don't get out of it without learning some materials science...
  • Filligree 2y ago
    Polycarbonate is ridiculously strong, lasts forever even outdoors, doesn’t creep (much), and doesn’t produce dangerous fumes- But costs twice as much as PLA, and absolutely requires an enclosure to print. Tradeoffs indeed.
  • klaussilveira 2y ago
    How do you get rid of the "3D printed look" surface? Sanding?