Author Topic: 3D Printed Pipe End  (Read 2199 times)

Offline lboucher

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3D Printed Pipe End
« on: August 10, 2014, »
Hi All

Anyone out there have a 3D printer? I want to get one, and have this idea, but probably won't pull the trigger on a printer till next year.

The problem.
The PVC tube is easy for making a smart string controller enclosure, but I don't feel the cables are supported/strain relieved all that well and can get pulled around and potentially broken. And the whole waterproofing thing for the RJ45.

Basic idea is to design an end plug for the PVC tube with 2 holes for cables.
Imagine a top hat, with 2 holes in the middle, then split the hat in two, also splitting the holes.
I imagine you would want an o-ring to seal.
Assembly would be to pass both cables through the O-ring, then take both halves of the plug and lay the cables into their holes.
Bring the O ring up to hold the halves together, then slide the whole plug into the PVC pipe end.
This gives you the option to put the RJ45 connection inside the tube.
I figure the top hat would be at least an inch tall. An inch worth of surface pressing along the cable should seal well.

Anyone with a 3D printer want to try this?
Can you send one to try out the idea? (Will give ya a couple bucks if you want.)
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Offline egenoup

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Re: 3D Printed Pipe End
« Reply #1 on: August 11, 2014, »
I have a 3D printer and would be willing to try and print your object.  Do you have a model drawn up or do you need the model to be made?  if it is drawn up, can you output an STL file?

Charles

Offline lboucher

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Re: 3D Printed Pipe End
« Reply #2 on: August 11, 2014, »
I have not made a model, but can/will do.
STP is no prob.

I would think/hope this should be a simple print.
Just curious, what would you expect a little 1 inch diameter cylinder 1" tall to cost to print at home for a DIYer?
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Offline egenoup

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Re: 3D Printed Pipe End
« Reply #3 on: August 12, 2014, »
Pure plastic cost would be minimal, but I can't really tell until I have the model and run it through the slicing program.  It will give me a precise amount of filament to be used in the print.  If I had to take a "WAG", I would say about 2-3 meters of filament, which equates to about 50 to 75 cents (25 cents per meter of filament).

Charles

Offline lboucher

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Re: 3D Printed Pipe End
« Reply #4 on: August 12, 2014, »
Cool, so that's about the cost of a pipe cap. Would have to add in the cost of a O-ring.
I figure the surface between the two plastic parts can be sealed by simply applying a piece of electrical tape to one side, if its even needed.

I have a Solid works model of a 1.25 Inch cap.

I just kinda guessed on good clearances/O ring compression distances. Never modeled a sealing surface before. Also no idea if you need to account for the plastic cooling or anything like that.

Rename attached .txt to .stp, site didn't allow stp upload
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Offline lboucher

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Re: 3D Printed Pipe End
« Reply #5 on: August 12, 2014, »
I was figuring a Silicone O-Ring such as 9396K107   from mcmaster carr

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But I really don't know what would be best.
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Offline lboucher

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Re: 3D Printed Pipe End
« Reply #6 on: October 26, 2014, »
Hi All

Wanted to post pictures about the 3D printed pipe ends Charles printed for me.
They look great.
I did realize this idea will not work for the 1" PVC. The Ethernet pigtail will not fit in the PVC.
The idea works fine for the larger PVC.

I can see the hole sizes would need iterated a few time to dial in the diameter to make it fit snug on the cords. But its pretty good as is.

I would mount the PVC vertical with a zip tie, with this end on the bottom.
The benefits I see are.

1. No soldering of cable that must pass through a drilled hole in an endcap. (How many have you soldered only to realize you forgot the cap?)
2. Keeps the pigtail out of the weather.
3. Still easy to change out Ethernet cable if needed.
4. Storage just involves wrapping the Ethernet cable around the PVC.

Now I just need a 3D printer to print more...
« Last Edit: October 26, 2014, by lboucher »
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Offline kjam22

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Re: 3D Printed Pipe End
« Reply #7 on: October 28, 2014, »
Just one more reason to buy a 3d printer

Offline arw01

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Re: 3D Printed Pipe End
« Reply #8 on: October 28, 2014, »
How much and when is the group buy? :P

Any of those fancy printers do rubber or a foam?  Or one that prints in silicon?  have it print it right around the cords, or make some sort of mold with the cords in it already and just pour it?

Offline johno123

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Re: 3D Printed Pipe End
« Reply #9 on: October 28, 2014, »
Those look fantastic!

What about using a service like Shapeways where they print 3D models on demand?

Offline lboucher

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Re: 3D Printed Pipe End
« Reply #10 on: October 28, 2014, »
There is flexible filament (which I assume is like rubber)
Guys over on the firepick delta are using flexible filament to print rubberish feet for the bottom of their pick and place machine to keep it from walking.

I would think a 3D print house would be generally expensive for this, compared to a lowes PVC cap.
I think this is one of those things where if you have a 3D printer it would work out great to do at home.
Or someone prints a whole bunch for a coop.
If your buying from a business, I bet they get expensive.

Kossell Clear here I come.....
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