I ran into trouble trying to get my new Lowrance mounted at the bow so I designed and printed custom mounts! I am using the crap out of my 3D printer for stuff like this!
I am so stuck on what to use for mine if the angle is wrong to flush mount. Having a 3D printer would change the whole ballgame…nice work!
Wadmalaw native
16’ Bentz-Craft Flats Boat
You made the stand off? Looks pretty dandy. Does the strength of the material compare to typical plastic components?
BG
quote:
Originally posted by btodagYou made the stand off? Looks pretty dandy. Does the strength of the material compare to typical plastic components?
BG
Thats a good question! And I can only say it will depend on how the testing goes. The pieces where designed and printed with strength in mind. Meaning the inner core has 25% infill using a honeycone pattern and each layer is extruded at.3mm layer with a temp of 210C (400F). So I have great bonding and inner strength. the collar is a solid piece through the core too.
I need a few 3-4feet waves to really test it out…A northeast wind at 12 mph during incoming tide on the Wando is always a good test! Lol!
Its pretty solid already but I need to see how it handles the bow slamming into the ditch of several waves. The beauty of a 3D printer is that I can increase the infill and bonding dynamics to get the pieces to the quality needed. The trade off is just longer print times.
Mark Ingle
NauticStar 1810 Merc 90
Think I’m going to go with this one. Guy is gonna custom make me a mounting plate for it.
http://www.balzoutllc.com/#!product-page/c1tw9/c7c3a3ce-8e62-385c-b671-b7bcd9430953
Wadmalaw native
16’ Bentz-Craft Flats Boat
Are you printing with ABS or PLA? What printer?
1994 Hewes Redfisher 18, 2004 Yamaha 150 VMAX
Malibu X-Factor Kayak
These mounts were done with PLA. ABS degrades too fast due to UV exposure. I tested a ABS piece as a bracket on my trailer and it broke after several months. The same bracket was printed in PLA and it will be one year this October. PETG is another option but don’t have my printer calibrate for it yet.
I built my printer from open source plans. It’s based on Cartesian xyz with a print volume of 12"x12"x16"
Here is a video of of it in action…I have it calibrated to print really fast.
Mark Ingle
NauticStar 1810 Merc 90
Wow, that thing isn’t absurdly expensive either. To be able to make anything plastic you wanted, pretty slick. Does it come with software or do you have to have some sort of SolidWorks or something that creates the files?
It uses a filament to feed the print head? Wild stuff! What do you think the cost of the material in that standoff is?
BG
It does come with the firmware needed to control all of the motors. Its also available from a website where developers keep it current. the hardware build instructions make assumptions about the builder knowing circuits and basic knowledge of mechanics. For software configuration you will need to be familiar with programing and the Arduino IDE. To design parts, I use all open source (free) software - Blender (for design), Slic3r (for slicing the object to print) and Pronterface (to actually print the object). Solidworks is good too but I think its a commercial product.
The filament is about $25 for a 5 lb roll…so probably $5
Mark Ingle
NauticStar 1810 Merc 90
That is very cool to be able to do that, and I’d love too learn how, but I think my brain is too old and lazy to learn all that [:I] So I’ll just contact you when I need something made 
Capt. Larry Teuton
Swamp Worshiper
Yeah it took two full weekends with a lot of cursing to build it!!!
Mark Ingle
NauticStar 1810 Merc 90
You’re a smart fellow.
BG
I need a small piece for the latch in my car console and the dealership wants $650. They don’t sell the part I need, just the whole console lid. I would be happy to pay you for your time!
“Those who have the ability to make a difference have the responsibility to do so.” Thomas Jefferson
Sure thing! If the piece is small enough I only charge for shipping. Here is my CL link - http://charlotte.craigslist.org/crs/5774314384.html
Mark Ingle
NauticStar 1810 Merc 90
quote:
Originally posted by btodagYou’re a smart fellow.
BG
Thank you! But I have had ALOT of help from some extremely smart engineers!
Mark Ingle
NauticStar 1810 Merc 90
Man, my mind works a lot like Larrys! Must be that education in the 60’s
That’s awesome man, nice work.
Wadmalaw native
16’ Bentz-Craft Flats Boat
quote:
Man, my mind works a lot like Larrys! Must be that education in the 60's
And the fish whistle
I’ve got a degree in electronics, but when I went to school they were still teaching Vacuum tube technology and the transistor had just been invented. Integrated circuits had not. I’ve tried to keep up with technology, but that’s over my head [:I]
Capt. Larry Teuton
Swamp Worshiper
Bad news Good news…the top mount broke when I stumbled on it lifting the riptide. It was a design flaw where I did not insert the PVC all the way in. So I increased the infill percentage and lengthened the PVC to get the height needed. The pvc is now inserted all the way. Get to test it out again in three weeks! Man I am ready for fall fishing!!!
Mark Ingle
NauticStar 1810 Merc 90
quote:
Originally posted by JumpNCobiaBad news Good news…the top mount broke when I stumbled on it lifting the riptide. It was a design flaw where I did not insert the PVC all the way in. So I increased the infill percentage and lengthened the PVC to get the height needed. The pvc is now inserted all the way. Get to test it out again in three weeks! Man I am ready for fall fishing!!!
Mark Ingle
NauticStar 1810 Merc 90
I do 3D Printing (Additive Manufacturing) for a living, and this is one of the biggest advantages to the technology – being able to make a prototype, fail, make a second one, fail, make a third one, etc. all in such a short amount of time. The turnaround time is mind-blowing, depending on the type of part. I can go through 5 iterations of a component in a week, where it would often take twice that time just to get the first prototype back from an outside vendor using conventional manufacturing techniques.
I love seeing it used for this type of stuff! How do you like Blender? Have you heard of Onshape? A guy I work with really seems to like it.
1994 Hewes Redfisher 18, 2004 Yamaha 150 VMAX
Malibu X-Factor Kayak