Quote:
Originally Posted by Brandon Holley
We've used 3D printed parts for a number of years now, I think our first ones probably went onto robots around the 2008 timeframe.
Since then we've done all sorts of stuff from simple brackets for sensors/electronics, to protective housings for cameras, molds for urethane components and even bearing blocks for power transmission in our 2015 elevator.
We picked up some new sponsorship in the off-season from Markforged. We just started making parts, but to say we're blown away may be understating it. The parts strength and finish is unbelievable. Parts are incredibly stiff. We're gonna be doing some testing on our 2016 bot in the fall off-seasons and maybe even pushing the limits in some totally new realms that were thought to be 'unprintable' by myself and probably all of the larger FRC community. Pic below of our first part. Nylon base with carbon fiber wound inside each layer. First 4 layers on either side had carbon wrapped concentrically around the contours. The middle 32 layers had isotropic carbon laid down, rotating 90deg each layer 
-Brando |
I have some parts from the Mark I and Mark II on my desk and they are nearly indestructible unless you twist them heavily, heat them up, or use some other process to de-laminate the layers. I have found it hard to do enough of any of those besides heat it up. When the new machine comes out the nylon will be replaced with a much stronger material making these parts strength/budget one of the best machines you can build robot parts on.
Maybe they will let me print some more parts this season....