Tips on fitting two parts together?
Tips on fitting two parts together?
I typicallyodel for 0.5mm tolerance between firm fit parts.
Before you can bank on this, you need to see how tight your tolerances are on the printer. I usedthre Maker’s Muse tolerance test device to figure out what my printer could achieve.
It depends on your specific case, of course. That 0.4mm is indeed a good rule of thumb. But also, assuming you're dealing with FFF-printed parts, generally if the two parts slide together along the layer lines, it'll feel just a little looser than if they slide together perpendicular to layer lines. That's just due to the ribbed texture inherent to FFF printing. Though printing at smaller layer heights will reduce that effect and also make the parts fit just a little looser over all.
Aside from that, probably the best advice I can give is:
Also, a lot of the time you can file things down. I often err on the side of not quite fitting and the file it down with a set of (really cute) mini files until it fits perfectly.
Saves you print time from multiple prints, but does take some manual effort, make a mess and ruin the finish (not always an issue)
It strongly depends on how well your 3D printer is tuned. Have you done any accuracy calibration? Try printing a generic test cube and measure the dimensions using calipers.
Also when printing horizontal holes in objects the holes tend to end up smaller than the 3D modelling software says it is. This is because the nozzle can’t really do perfect circles and will instead print a polygon that looks round. It literally cuts corners. Another factor is that molten plastic tends to spread a bit to the inside of the hole. You can offset this by making the hole bigger in the design or by using a slicer setting. In Cura it’s called Horizontal Hole Expansion.
When printing objects close together you’ll need to use Slicing Tolerance (Cura term), that will affect how far different objects tend to be apart from each other. This is important for print-in-place gear designs or similar.
You will need to do a couple of test prints to check the tolerances of your printer.
You really aren’t giving us enough info there mate.
“Fit together nicely” doesn’t explain what yiu are trying to do exactly. Sketching out what you are trying to accomplish wouod be rather beneficial.
So how will you be joining them?
CA glue ups? At registrations pegs to align it. Make the pegs slightly tapered so they start easy. Prusa slicer let’s you cut and add them if you need to print a thing in two goes.
Screw of some type? (I like socket head m-whatever bolts they look nice. If you counter sink a space for the head.)
then you got options. I’d recommend getting a tap to cut threads for low strength joins. You can cut thread straight into most plastics and this will also adjust a slightly underside hole.
Alternatively for much stringer joins, use heat-inserted thread (they’re brass beads you press in using a soldering iron.
Either way it’s generally a good idea to have over sized holes on one part do they slid freely into the threads and tighten down.
Also, tapered pegs can be used without glue- if you make the leg’s base slightly over sized and the tip under sized, friction will hold it loosely.
If you need a seal on the bolt down parts, you can make o-rings using air tubing (for fish tanks air lines,) and silicone caulk coming out a caulking gun- if you use an air compressor blower nozzle after it cures, ot comes right out. Or you can make them hollow by blowing compressed air through before curing.