What have you solved with a 3D printer?

[degas]

I sketched it out and my friend printed end-stops for my mainsail track, missing since I bought the boat. He tells me that it took 10 minutes to print with a UV-resistant filament.

They aren't bad for version 1. After 2 seasons they're still doing a great job.

How about you?

 

[dLj]

Back when I was working, I printed hooks out of Ti6Al4V to replace hooks along my bulwarks that were originally used for the bottom of netting strung from the top life line. These have my boats name printed in them. This hook is not upside down, that's how it goes when attached. I've used these all over for all sorts of things beyond what I'd originally intended. I've thought to ask one of my old colleagues to make me more with the name the other way as using them as standard hooks, the name is upside down. They are really great little hooks!

dj

 

[Lazy1]

I printed some clamps to hold a couple solar panels to a bimini rail with ASA (sorry no pics atm)
Printed wall mounts for esp32-s3's will be installing next Spring

https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/home/flush-mount-wall-case-for-waveshare-esp32-s3-touch-lcd-4-instrument-display

 

[jssailem]

I took the Raymarine clutch handle on the Wheel AP and changed the size of the indent so that it fit over the nob on the wheel. This improved the hold function of the clutch handle.

 

[Davidasailor26]

I’ve done a few fun projects -

An extra rail mounted drink holder, embossed with the boat’s name:

A holder for our wireless VHF handset:

A guard to keep birds out of our boom:

A wood-plastic stained piece to hold our head door open:

And a few others I can’t find pictures of - a base so our Caframo Fan can rest on a fiddle in the cabin, a holder for our handheld horn, a stained wood holder for a soap dispenser, and a new top for the dipstick on our transmission.

 

[heritage]

What 3d printer do you use to make those items pictured?

 

[Davidasailor26]

What 3d printer do you use to make those items pictured?

I have a Sovol SV06 Plus.

All of the outdoor items are PETG. The indoor wood colored pieces are wood infused PLA that I stained to match the existing wood. Both of those materials are pretty easy to print with anything. The transmission dipstick cap was polycarbonate. I also made a replacement sheave for my outhaul car from polycarbonate. That’s a little more tricky but still manageable with most printers.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

For anyone interested in getting into 3D printing, an enclosed printer makes an enormous difference as far as quality, reliability and flexibility go. Far fewer failed prints, larger material selection and way less hassle in general.

You can't look in any direction on my boat and not see a 3D printed part. Most are printed in PETG

• Line hooks - PLA seems to be holding up
• TPU coasters
• Winter winch covers - These will warp in the middle of the summer
• Mast step wiring cover
• Tip proof portable cup holder - has a 8-10" base cause I didn't want to print it twice
• Soap/Hand sanitizer holders - VHB holds them to the counter
• Small organizers for nav desk
• LED lighting mounting brackets
• Non-critical hose plugs
• LOTS of brackets
• Electrical box for pumps - Fire resistant PA6
• Replacement furler line sheave - Carbon fiber PETG
• Air filter adapter/housing

 

[ShawnL]

I printed custom risers for cam cleats for our jib sheets. So much nicer than the horn cleats on a '72 Catalina 22. We kept the horn cleats, but never really use them. The cam cleat risers are customized to give the correct angle for where we sit on the boat. It took a couple of iterations to get it right, but we love them. Printed in PETG.

 

[heritage]

Great information from you all. I'm considering getting started with 3d printing this winter.

 

[jssailem]

It all sounds great. I have all winter. No sailing. The weather will be miserable. I'll be locked in the house. Plenty of time to discover the technology and make toys (boat equipment).

But as you venture into the rabbit hole, you discover, like Alice, that there is no end to the possibilities.

Before you know it, the early start to the season and boat prep are gone by.

It is summer, and while you are engaged in the next iteration, a better version of the latest widget, it is mid-summer.


Be careful...

 

[Lazy1]

I learned to not print 100% infill with ASA, about 70% works if you want something dense.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

Large, thin PETG parts warp in the sun. What is a better material that withstands UV?

 

[jssailem]

One consideration that I have learned about is the hygroscopic properties of the material being used in the marine environment. Some of the parts used on the Raymarine Wheel Pilot Mk2 can be compromised over time when left exposed to the elements.

 

[dLj]

Large, thin PETG parts warp in the sun. What is a better material that withstands UV?

UV resistance in polymers is a real problem. Acrylics are pretty much on the top of the list but tend to be brittle and even those break down over time through UV exposure. Your fluoropolymers do pretty well but degrade over time. Commercial production of polymers for higher UV resistance use various additives and/or surface coatings. That's going to be a bit difficult on small scale home printing machine.

If you do find an available material that seems to work better post what you've found. I don't think there is a UV resistant polymer at the same resistance level such as metals.

dj

 

[Lazy1]

Maybe an annual hit with clear UV spray paint would help?

 

[dLj]

Maybe an annual hit with clear UV spray paint would help?

I would think that would depend on geometry. I'm currently looking at pulleys and considering how I'm going to replace some pulleys I have. I currently have several I need to replace and I'm kind of sick of replacing pulleys... I replaced a number of them 4 years ago - not the same ones I need to replace now - but I'm thinking how about begin to replace pulleys with material that simply won't break down over time due to UV. All the pulleys I've had to replace are for that reason - UV degradation. I'm not sure I could spray paint the pulleys effectively with UV resistant spray paint. But that could certainly help in other applications. But I'm also not looking for additional maintenance steps... I'm desiring moving as far as possible toward not needing maintenance...

dj

 

[dlochner]

For those of us who are considering a jump into 3D printing what are some good reliable sources for information about the process and equipment? I've found Makers101 | 3D Printer Reviews, Comparisons & Beginner Guides which appears to have reliable and balanced information from a guy in China who wants to be the Will Prowse of 3D Printing. There must be others.

What brands are worth considering and which are best to avoid?

First project up is a prototype of a special connector plate between a switch and Class T fuse block.

 

[Davidasailor26]

For those of us who are considering a jump into 3D printing what are some good reliable sources for information about the process and equipment? I've found Makers101 | 3D Printer Reviews, Comparisons & Beginner Guides which appears to have reliable and balanced information from a guy in China who wants to be the Will Prowse of 3D Printing. There must be others.

What brands are worth considering and which are best to avoid?

First project up is a prototype of a special connector plate between a switch and Class T fuse block.

View attachment 240345

I did quite a bit of reading at All3DP.com when I was first starting out. Seemed like a pretty good comprehensive set of reviews and guides.

 

[Lazy1]

1st stab at having Claude create a mount for a water witch bilge switch