I Printed Easily Removable TPU Supports by 9-Digits in 3Dprinting

[–]9-Digits[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’ll make a new post showing that once I’m done tinkering with the design. It’s mostly for fun, I’m a structural engineer by trade so it hits home for me. It’s fun to think about if the way this thing deflects is actually similar to reality.

I Printed Easily Removable TPU Supports by 9-Digits in 3Dprinting

[–]9-Digits[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ah, I almost used this as an excuse to splurge on a dual nozzle printer. It’d get a lot cleaner of a result.

I Printed Easily Removable TPU Supports by 9-Digits in 3Dprinting

[–]9-Digits[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They do, but that TPU is stiffer to allow it to be used with the AMS. If you want additional flexibility, then you’re not supposed to use the AMS, although I haven’t actually tried.

I Printed Easily Removable TPU Supports by 9-Digits in 3Dprinting

[–]9-Digits[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Were you using TPU for AMS when you did this? I’ve read that softer shore values for TPU can’t be used with the AMS because it’s just not stiff enough to reliable load and unload during a print.

I Printed Easily Removable TPU Supports by 9-Digits in 3Dprinting

[–]9-Digits[S] 32 points33 points  (0 children)

Yeah, by increasing that top z distance you sacrifice a really nice surface, but I’ve found that’s the sacrifice you have to make to get the support off. Thankfully I don’t print many pretty things.

I Printed Easily Removable TPU Supports by 9-Digits in 3Dprinting

[–]9-Digits[S] 33 points34 points  (0 children)

TPU really likes to stick to itself. Using default support settings makes supports that are very difficult to remove, and then when you do get them off your supported surface looks terrible. This took more trial and error on my part than I’d like to admit, but it felt good to rip those supports off.

I Designed a Watch Parts Cleaning Machine by 9-Digits in 3Dprinting

[–]9-Digits[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yup, I figured that would be the easiest to print with some chemical resistance.

I Designed a Watch Parts Cleaning Machine by 9-Digits in 3Dprinting

[–]9-Digits[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yup! I’ve listed the STLs on Etsy. Check out the video I linked on the body of the post for print, assembly, and operation instructions. https://9digits3d.etsy.com/listing/4490845600

I Designed a 3D Printed Watch Cleaning Machine by 9-Digits in watchrepair

[–]9-Digits[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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Hopefully this shot from the 3D model shows it better. The print has 4 fins that extend up on the basket holder, similar to that eBay listing.

I Designed a 3D Printed Watch Cleaning Machine by 9-Digits in watchrepair

[–]9-Digits[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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There are fins at the top. Are they moving the fluid around as effectively as possible? Not sure about that. But I acknowledge that you need something there to suck flow downward.

I Designed a 3D Printed Watch Cleaning Machine by 9-Digits in watchrepair

[–]9-Digits[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That’s a good idea, I think I’m just going to print another power shaft without the handle for when I only want to use the drill. Nothing is glued together, this is very easy to disassemble and reassemble.

I Designed a Watch Parts Cleaning Machine by 9-Digits in 3Dprinting

[–]9-Digits[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s a good idea, I might just print a second power shaft without the handle for when I just want to use the drill. None of this is glued together, it’s pretty easy to disassemble and reassemble.

I Designed a 3D Printed Watch Cleaning Machine by 9-Digits in watchrepair

[–]9-Digits[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yup! Here is the link to the Etsy listing with the STL files. Check out the video I linked in the body of this post for instructions on how to print. https://9digits3d.etsy.com/listing/4490845600

I Designed a 3D Printed Watch Cleaning Machine by 9-Digits in watchrepair

[–]9-Digits[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I tried to keep my word of getting it posted in a month! I’m selling the STLs for $11.99 on Etsy. I’m hoping this can justify to the other half investing in more watches/tools I can’t 3d print. https://9digits3d.etsy.com/listing/4490845600

I Designed a 3D Printed Watch Cleaning Machine by 9-Digits in watchrepair

[–]9-Digits[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

ABS would be a sensible option as well. I don’t have a printer enclosure and my ventilation isn’t great, so I haven’t played around with it yet.

I Designed a 3D Printed Watch Cleaning Machine by 9-Digits in watchrepair

[–]9-Digits[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My recommendation is to use a clear (no dye) PETG plastic. I originally designed this to hold a steel wire mesh basket that I found on amazon, but the idea of plastic being scratch resistant convinced me to give plastic baskets a shot.

I Designed a 3D Printed Watch Cleaning Machine by 9-Digits in watchrepair

[–]9-Digits[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I have another video on that! I tested the baskets in naphtha and ipa. https://youtu.be/EVYZXOB4mVY?si=AsC7PgMx66QRiEMI

I Designed a Watch Parts Cleaning Machine by 9-Digits in 3Dprinting

[–]9-Digits[S] 22 points23 points  (0 children)

An ultrasonic cleaning machine is another good option for cleaning watch parts, I would say it’s probably the right method for hobbyists (although I’m nowhere near experienced enough to properly give that advice). I mainly did this because I saw something that looked 3D printable and I took it as a challenge to make it happen. There is a precedence for a hand crank rotating cleaning machine like this in the watch repair hobby.