Extreme Waterproof 3D Prints
The team at CPSdrone specializes in building underwater drones, which require waterproof hulls to operate effectively. Initially, they encountered issues with water entering the hulls, attributing it to various factors. However, they soon identified that water could seep through the print surface due to tiny pores inherent in FDM printing.
To address this issue, they experimented with different sealing methods, including using epoxy to coat the prints. While effective to some extent, they sought a more reliable solution. Subsequent tests revealed that water ingress increased with depth due to the higher pressure exerted on the hulls. Solid models were tested to discern the extent of water absorption into the layers.
Their experimentation led them to try dichtol, a chemical agent known for waterproofing prints through a soaking process. Results showed significantly reduced water ingress, even at high pressures, as the dichtol permeated the plastic, leaving behind a resin layer upon evaporation. Finally, they explored resin printing and engineering plastics for hull construction, aiming to find a durable and waterproof material for their underwater drones.
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