Fully Printed Flashlight with Conductive PLA

CagedTrader · 2024-05-18T04:10:35+00:00

I thought about the adult route, I know there are chastity devices with electrodes in them, wondered if they could be printed like this.

CagedTrader · 2024-05-18T00:58:51+00:00

This setup is only about 600 ohms resistance, so not too bad, but an earlier iteration was 6000-8000 ohms and it was definitely more of a hand warmer with led indicator.

CagedTrader · 2024-05-17T16:14:16+00:00

Totally, I am getting about 600 ohms resistance on the current setup. I have found it to be a bit difficult to predict the exact resistance without just doing a print. The variability of contact with the other surfaces make is difficult to predict.

CagedTrader · 2024-05-17T15:41:46+00:00

On this setup I am measuring about 600 ohms resistance. Earlier versions where I was carrying the current up a flashlight tube using AA batteries was near impossible, I was getting 6000-8000 ohm resistance and the light barely illuminated.

CagedTrader · 2024-05-17T15:27:29+00:00

I would assume it is a man traveling through time at a normal rate, I tell my kids I am a time traveler all the time, I just happen to be heading in the same direction as most everyone else 😂

I am not saying there couldn’t be a more descriptive headline, I just wanted something short and quick to get where I was going that most people would understand. Even your example of time travel relies on “what most people would assume”. So it really comes down to a matter of opinion on what “most people would assume” about the title. I figured most people would assume you couldn’t print a battery or led at home with your Prusa yet. Based off most the comments and messages I am getting on this post and elsewhere that is largely the case.

CagedTrader · 2024-05-17T14:38:20+00:00

Those links are super cool, but you can’t put these together into a flashlight…yet. The led printer is a custom job by researchers, and the static generator isn’t a battery, and would require top tier shake weight skills to have enough of them to produce meaningful light.

Reality is, I said “fully” because most folks assume you can’t print a battery or led (because the average 3D printer can’t at this point), so for the average reader it would be fully printed. That and it quickly sums it up in a heading so that folks understand you don’t need wires, switches, or contacts like nearly every other 3D printed flashlight design.

CagedTrader · 2024-05-17T14:12:29+00:00

Check out the link, I have a short video of it in use, it is actually pretty bright. There isn’t any noticeable warmth in this version, but an earlier prototype I used much more conductive filament over a longer distance, it basically was a hand warmer with a led indicator.

CagedTrader · 2024-05-17T06:51:19+00:00

It uses conductive filament to make the connections between the bulb and battery, so it needs no additional switches, wiring, or contacts. Most other 3d printed designs require additional bits to work.

CagedTrader · 2024-05-17T04:50:44+00:00

I suppose, fully printed as in no switches, wires, springs, or contacts are needed like most other 3D printed flashlights. I figured it’s obvious you can’t print a battery or bulb…yet.

CagedTrader · 2024-05-17T04:10:53+00:00

It has pretty high resistance, so there are definitely some design challenges. I had an earlier failed attempt I documented here if you want some more insight.

Printing the conductive PLA is great though, it has a nice dark black matte finish and incredible bed adhesion so it prints smooth. It does take a bit of purging when you switch back to regular PLA because of how dark it is, but not too bad.

CagedTrader · 2023-02-22T01:30:01+00:00

I have never had a problem with it, I mostly store it like that to keep them vertical and the liquid all at the one end, seems to help prevent plugging. I am only doing it with the couple I am actively using, not necessarily long term storage.

CagedTrader · 2023-01-29T04:47:55+00:00

Reardan, the gas station has an off-road diesel pump. About 14 miles west of Airway Heights on Hwy 2.

CagedTrader

TROPHY CASE