EcoTech MP40 replacement screen
- Thread starter mind
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OP
OP
mind
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I had not really thought about it yet. It is a 5 hour print at 4800mm/sec on a Voron printer. Most printers can only do 2400mm/sec. Ideally, one should still do several hours of vapor smoothing on the item.
Someone put something up on thingiverse and a bunch of people are now making it and selling it on Ebay and Etsy, but they all look like crap IMO. Prices are about $8 each for those. Ecotech will sell you a replacement cage for $5.25. Lets say that I charged $10 each. I could make 2-3/day, so that would be $20/day.... do I really want to tie up a 3D printer for that?
In a perfect world, one would print it in PETG, and not ABS or ASA.
PLA = what most of the Etsy ones seem to be made of because they come in different colors and is NOT 'food safe'
ABS = will NOT like extended UV exposure
ASA = ok with UV exposure
PETG = ok with UV exposure AND "food safe" (ideal for your tank), but with a print like this will have LOTS of 'whisps' of plastic coming off it AND it cannot be vapor smoothed without access to some really toxic chmeicals.
So your options are: PETG or ASA.
The existing ones on the market are made in several colors that only PLA comes in..... I would NOT put them into a tank.
Maybe I am just missing something here? Run 10 printers 24/7 and make $50k/year less filament, electricity/etc ?
Fwiw I just bought one of these from one of the ebay sellers. The print quality is "meh" but it will work. They used ABS. Next time I will go for a PETG part.
In terms of vapor smoothing, do you think it's advisable to use acetone? I've got zero experience with 3d printing but I do have acetone on hand. I would love it if the part looked a little better given that it will be in the tank.
In terms of vapor smoothing, do you think it's advisable to use acetone? I've got zero experience with 3d printing but I do have acetone on hand. I would love it if the part looked a little better given that it will be in the tank.
OP
OP
mind
Non-member
Well, you can vapor-smooth ABS or ASA, but not PETG (well, you can if you want to mess with REALLY, REALLY nasty chemicals!!).
If you are north of Boston, let me know and I can meet you somewhere and toss you one to play with.
Current design is a little different, and has interchangeable "shields" that can be used to direct water flow. I left some at Love-The-Reef and they put them in some of their tanks to try out.
If you are north of Boston, let me know and I can meet you somewhere and toss you one to play with.
Current design is a little different, and has interchangeable "shields" that can be used to direct water flow. I left some at Love-The-Reef and they put them in some of their tanks to try out.
