3D Printed Wahoo Robot

[unclebobtech 0]

I am making this Smartphone Control Robot, parts are printed using 3D printers. In the prototype I use ABS for the chassis & head and PLA for the feet print from a Mendel. As you can see from the photo the PLA is very rough but easy to print. However I have seen very good PLA quality from Ultimaker.

I want to get the Ultimaker because it print fast and good quality. My question, why my PLA quality so bad while Ultimaker seems good ? Should I use PLA or ABS ?

Stretchlet_UM_original_100x.g

http://www.indiegogo.com/Wahoo-The-Affo ... t?a=391308

http://www.unclebobtech.com

 

[Daid 306]

So many things that effect PLA quality. I don't know why the RapRap machines print so badly with PLA.

But looking at your print I notice the extrusion output on the head is not "even" it looks like if it extruded sometimes a bit more, and sometimes a bit less. Could also be that the printer head is not entirely stable on a mendel. Even a slightest extra movement shows in the final print. And the X/Y "square" of the Ultimaker is very stable.

From what I've seen (I've never printed ABS) PLA rocks quality wise, because you can seriously tune down the layer height. While 0.3mm layers is "common" with ABS, my "low quality" PLA prints are done at 0.2mm, and quality prints at 0.1mm. Print at 0.1mm layers:

http://daid.eu/~daid/IMG_20120211 ... small.jpeg

from my Ultimaker.

The people behind the Ultimaker have build RepRap machines (they have a few of them in their HQ), and learned from that. With that knowledge they set out to build the best printer kit possible.

Oh, and Marlin. It makes all the difference.

[unclebobtech 0]

I think for PLA, you need a fan to cool down the plastic. Which might explain the rough quality for the feet.

For the head, well I really don't know. Raprep Mendel with ABS is still a black magic with me. I will get my Ultimaker soon then I can make the judgement.

BTW I don't know where ppl usually buy their PLA from. Are the qualities from difference source the same ? How to shop for PLA ?

Thanks.

[unclebobtech 0]

BTW sorry for the late reply. I don't think I get email notification for receive reply. Still trying to find where to edit the profile settings.

[Daid 306]

BTW I don't know where ppl usually buy their PLA from. Are the qualities from difference source the same ? How to shop for PLA ?

Avoid Chinese sellers. Those usually sell bad quality. The RepRap page on PLA has a few sources:

http://www.reprap.org/wiki/PLA

I like faberdashery, it's not the cheapest. But they have a wide range of colors, and you can buy small amounts of them. I don't print huge quantities, so price is not a huge problem for me. And I have 14 different colors now I think. Including glow-in-the-dark, which is totally awesome.