For RC car enthusiasts looking to enhance performance and customization, 3D printing technology offers exciting possibilities. Creating your own 3d Printed Rc Car Parts allows for tailored modifications and repairs, bringing a new level of personalization to the hobby. While the technology is promising, understanding the nuances of material choice and design is crucial for achieving durable and functional components.
Initially, experimenting with FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) printing using PLA (Polylactic Acid) filament is a common starting point due to its affordability. Many hobbyists, like myself, have printed various parts to test fit and functionality. These PLA parts can hold up under certain conditions, but their strength, particularly across layer lines, has limitations. A practical example of this was experienced with a CW01 to poor man’s monster beetle conversion. The 3D printed rear trailing arms, designed in the style of an ORV chassis, unfortunately succumbed to breakage in the same mirrored locations after some use.
To address this weakness in FDM-printed parts, especially those subjected to stress, design adjustments can make a significant difference. In the case of the trailing arms, a redesign incorporating M3 bolts that compressed through the layers was implemented. This reinforcement significantly improved durability, and these redesigned parts have since proven to be reliable. However, it’s important to acknowledge that not all parts are easily redesigned for such reinforcement due to space constraints or printing limitations inherent to FDM technology.
Resin printing presents an alternative approach, potentially offering more uniform strength characteristics. With access to a resin printer and tough resin, exploration into this method becomes appealing. Tough resin, as understood from various sources, should provide a more consistent strength profile compared to FDM printed PLA. Furthermore, innovative techniques like mixing tough and flexible resins are emerging. This combination aims to achieve a balance of properties – some flexibility to prevent cracking under stress, coupled with overall high strength.
Considering these material properties, a strategic approach emerges: utilizing FDM printing with inexpensive filament for prototyping and fit-checking, and transitioning to resin printing with tougher materials for the final, functional parts, especially when FDM proves inadequate.
Body posts, another commonly replaced RC car component, have also been tested with FDM using PLA, often resulting in breakage. However, recent experimentation with U95 TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) filament for body posts has yielded promising results. The layer adhesion with TPU appears exceptionally strong, and the material’s inherent flexibility seems ideally suited for body posts. This combination helps absorb impacts and vibrations, reducing the likelihood of snapping. While TPU can be slightly more challenging to print, where applicable, it appears to be an excellent material choice for body posts, especially when combined with internal shell supports to mitigate issues with taller posts and body shake.
In conclusion, 3d printed rc car parts offer a compelling avenue for customization and repair in the RC car hobby. While FDM printing with PLA is useful for prototyping and less demanding parts, understanding its limitations, especially layer weakness, is crucial. Design modifications and reinforcement strategies can improve FDM part durability. Resin printing and materials like tough resin and TPU provide enhanced strength and flexibility, opening up possibilities for more robust and specialized RC car components. By carefully considering material selection and design for 3D printing, RC car enthusiasts can effectively upgrade their vehicles with custom, durable parts.
