www.my3dbase.com

Ju288

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 19:48:29 GMT

R4M Rocket

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 12:10:47 GMT

He P 1078 A

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 08:07:15 GMT

Data table from original source.

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Ta-400

Sat, 07 Mar 2026 10:04:23 GMT

Focke Wulf Ta 400

Focke Wulf Ta 254

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 15:13:47 GMT

Achieving Ultra-Smooth FDM Prints for Model Kits

Sun, 23 Mar 2025 15:46:21 GMT

Achieving Ultra-Smooth FDM Prints for Model Kits

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is a fantastic 3D printing method, but it often leaves visible layer lines that can take away from the final aesthetic—especially for high-detail model kits. The same is true for most additive manufacturing processes. If you want smooth, professional-quality prints for your Luft '46 aircraft models, the right combination of resolution, finishing techniques, and patience can make all the difference. In this post, we'll dive into how to achieve ultra-smooth FDM prints using high-resolution printing and a simple yet effective post-processing method.

High-Resolution Printing: The Foundation of Smoothness

For model kits, surface quality is crucial. Using a high-resolution layer height of 0.06 mm allows for approximately 17 layers per millimeter, significantly reducing visible stepping and improving detail retention. While this increases print time, the results are worth it, especially for highly detailed models.

Benefits of High Resolution:

Finer details and better surface definition for panel lines and details

Less aggressive post-processing required
Stronger layer adhesion, ensuring durability during assembly

The image shows a typical fuselage section printed at these settings.

Prime first

Even with high-resolution settings, FDM prints exhibit a unique microscopic surface structure due to the layer-by-layer extrusion process. The topology consists of:

Layer ridges : Small step-like formations caused by the nozzle depositing successive layers.
Microscopic voids : Tiny air gaps between extruded filament paths, which can impact smoothness and paint adhesion.
Uneven extrusion patterns : Variations in cooling rates, extrusion consistency, and nozzle pathing can create small peaks and valleys across the surface.
Filament texture : Depending on the material used, the surface can have a slightly rough or glossy finish due to polymer crystallization and cooling effects.

Addressing these microscopic imperfections is essential for achieving a smooth, uniform surface ideal for painting and detailing model kits.

The images below show a 20 x 20 mm sample as printed and under a microscope. While parts can be sanded directly, applying a primer first offers a significant advantage. The primer fills in any gaps or imperfections—many of which are inherent to the FDM process—with a material that sands easily. This makes the process of smoothing the surface much faster and less labor-intensive, allowing you to quickly achieve a smooth, even finish down to the bulk material.

The Finishing Sequence: Filler Primer & Sanding

Even with high-resolution prints, some surface imperfections remain. This is where filler primer and sanding come into play to create a polished, near-flawless finish—perfect for painting and weathering effects on your model aircraft.

Step 1: Apply Filler Primer

Filler primer is designed to seep into tiny gaps and layer lines, making the surface easier to sand smooth. Here’s how to apply it effectively:

Clean the print: Remove dust and debris before applying the primer.
Apply thin, even coats: Spray the filler primer from about 20 cm away in light, even passes.
Let it dry completely: Follow the manufacturer’s drying time (usually 30–60 minutes between coats).
Repeat if necessary: Apply multiple coats if deep layer lines are still visible.

Step 2: Wet Sanding (1000 Grit)

Once the filler primer is dry, it’s time to refine the surface with wet sanding using 1000-grit sandpaper:

Use water: Dip the sandpaper in water to prevent clogging and ensure smooth sanding.
Light pressure: Gently sand in circular motions to avoid over-removing material.
Check progress frequently: Wipe the surface dry to inspect smoothness.
Repeat as needed: Reapply primer and sand again if necessary.

Final Thoughts

By combining high-resolution printing (0.06 mm) with a primer first approach , you can drastically improve the look and feel of your FDM-printed Luft '46 models. These techniques help ensure a professional-grade finish, making your aircraft replicas look as if they came straight from an injection-molded kit.

Share your experiences and tips in the comments!

Heinkel He 1068.01-84

Sat, 08 Feb 2025 09:10:00 GMT

Bringing the Heinkel P.1068 to Life

For aviation history enthusiasts and model builders, the Heinkel P.1068 is one of the lesser-known yet highly intriguing Luft ’46 aircraft concepts. Originally developed as a twin-engine competitor to the Arado Ar 234 , it evolved into a more advanced bomber featuring up to six engines. Though the He 343 project was ultimately canceled, the P.1068 survived in a different form—as a test aircraft built in collaboration with DFS (Deutsche Forschungsanstalt für Segelflug) .

Now, you can bring this advanced jet bomber concept to life with our latest Heinkel P.1068-01 model kit , available exclusively at My3DBase .

The Heinkel P.1068 – A Bomber That Refused to Die

As outlined in Luftwaffe project documents, Heinkel designed the P.1068 to evade enemy interception through speed and altitude , incorporating swept wings and multiple jet engines. Initial versions featured two engines , similar to the Ar 234, but tests suggested that four- and six-engine variants would provide better range and payload capacity.

According to Heinkel Flugzeugwerke’s internal reports , the P.1068 was seen as a viable alternative to existing jet bombers, with advantages such as:

Higher speeds (+80 km/h over the Ar 234)
Improved bomb load capacity
Greater operational flexibility due to multiple engine configurations

By December 1943, Heinkel handed over scaled-down 1:2 models of the P.1068 to DFS for aerodynamic testing. These tests focused on flight stability and wing sweep effects , confirming the design’s viability. However, as the war situation deteriorated, the project was sidelined, and its technology was later considered for Heinkel’s Strabo 16 and He 162 developments.

A Model for Luft ’46 Enthusiasts

At My3DBase , we’ve worked hard to create a detailed and historically accurate 3D-printed model kit of the Heinkel P.1068-01 . This kit captures the essence of Heinkel’s late-war jet bomber concept, featuring:

Authentic proportions based on historical blueprints
Highly detailed engine and landing gear components
An accurate representation of the futuristic swept-wing design
Easy-to-assemble 3D-printed parts for a smooth building experience

This is a must-have for Luft ’46 collectors, alternative history enthusiasts, and anyone interested in experimental WWII aircraft.

Historical Sources Used

The design and development details of the Heinkel P.1068 are based on research from:

Luftwaffe: Secret Projects of the Third Reich (source article provided)
Heinkel Flugzeugwerke development reports from 1943-44
DFS technical documentation on test models
RLM project evaluations from late WWII

Order Yours Today!

The Heinkel P.1068-01 model kit is now available for purchase at My3DBase . Don’t miss your chance to add this unique aircraft to your collection and explore the "what-if" world of late-war German aviation!

�� Order now and build a piece of history!

Let me know if you’d like any more refinements!

BV 155 C

Fri, 07 Jun 2024 17:02:16 GMT

Junkers EF 110

Sun, 07 Apr 2024 16:07:00 GMT

Junkers EF 110

Design of the EF 110

The powerplant: DB 613

Engine Cooling

Armament

The Kit

The kit is available here: SHOP

The Do 435 Bubble Canopy

Wed, 24 Jan 2024 17:35:44 GMT

Bubble Canopy Do 435- fictional

Based on current knowledge, the Do 435 is believed to have been a variant of the 335 featuring a side-by-side cockpit (Monogram Close-Up 21).

"A post-war allied intelligence report stated that the Do 435 was a modified version of the Do 335 with a wider cockpit previously mentioned, cabin pressurization, radar equipment and long-span wooden outer wing panels. The project was to be powered by two 2500 hp Jumo 222 engines."

Manfred Griehl in his book 'Dornier Do335, 435, 635' comes to a similar conclusion. He does quote an original overview from the Dornier factory:

"Die Do 435 stellt die folgerichtige Weiterentwicklung der Do 335 als Zweisitzer dar."

"The Do 435 represents the logical advancement of the Do 335 as a two-seater."

The reader will notice that most sources are secondary sources. More about that later.

In some sources (Source: Miranda), the 435-222 is also referred to as the P.238. That does in fact seem unlikely since the P.238.1 is fairly well documented (Source: Dornier Do 335, 435, 635 Manfred Griehl), see image below.

Cross section and general layout of the Do 435 two-seater.

There is also an unverified version rumored to have been equipped with two Jumo 222 engines and a bubble canopy , which occasionally surfaces online and in some print media. Despite the absence of any documented evidence, the concept remains captivating enough to consider developing a model kit, even though it currently resides in the realm of speculative designs. For the sake of clarity, the version shall be referred to as the 435-222.

The fuselage of the 435-222 was seemingly extended, thereby increasing the overall weight of the aircraft. A larger wing would hence be plausible and here the P.237/3 might serve as a basis (Source: Dornier Do 335, 435, 635 Manfred Griehl).

Several drawings of the 435-222 can be found online, see below.

According to the Dornier Museum (E-Mail 19.09.2023) most Dornier documents were burned towards the end of the war. So, if there ever was any documentation to support a bubble canopy, Jumo 222 powered 435, it is now forever lost. It is however not completely unlikely that these design features were at some point considered by Dornier engineers in their quest to boost aircraft performance.

The fact that no information on the aircraft is available, implies that the design has to be reverse engineered. This is accomplished by combining know subsystems with characteristics design features of the 335. After all, the design would most likely be based largely on the 335. For the subsystems, information, auch as drawings and images, are available.

General characteristics

Crew: 1

Length: 17.3 m

Wingspan: 18.3 m

Height: 4.7 m

Powerplant: 2 × Jumo 222 E / F:, with two-stage two-speed centrifugal supercharger and trio of aftercoolers. The Jumo 222 E/F’s maximum power at 3,000 rpm was 2,500 hp (1,864 kW) for takeoff and 1,930 hp (1,439 kW) at 29,528 ft (9,000 m). Climbing power at 2,700 rpm was 2,220 hp (1,655 kW) at sea level and 1,680 hp (1,253 kW) at 36,000 ft. Cruising power at 2,500 rpm was 1,840 hp (1,372 kW) at sea level and 1,400 hp (1,044 kW) at 34,689 ft (11,000 m).

(Source: https://oldmachinepress.com/2021/06/05/junkers-jumo-222-aircraft-engine/)

Guns: 2x MG 151 20mm and 2x MK 103 30mm (wing mounted)

So here are a few drawings and renderings from that design process. The model is available HERE .

Focke Wulf with BMW 802 and sub variants

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 16:55:00 GMT

Focke Wulf with BMW 802 engines- model kit development

Initially, it was hypothesized that this design was fundamentally based on the FW 190 fuselage, essentially a standard FW 190 modified to integrate the large BMW 802 engine. This hypothesis is further substantiated by several references in the literature, such as those provided by H. Norwarra.

If this assumption were correct, the depicted shape of the fuselage must be somewhat inaccurate. The fuselage appears disproportionately short, and the configuration of the vertical tail plane (VTP) deviates significantly from that of the Focke-Wulf 190. The design, as initially proposed by Dipl.-Ing. Ludwig Mittelhuber, lacks a verifiable source according to luft46.com. Mittelhuber was reportedly involved in various Focke-Wulf projects, including the TW 200 and Ta 154.

Integration study FW 190

The images below depict a prospective integration of the BMW 8011 engine into an FW 190 fuselage. It is evident that the outer circumference of the BMW 8011 engine is significantly larger compared to the standard BMW 801. Additionally, the engine has an increased length. These differences would necessitate extensive modifications to the fuselage, both to the overall structure and to accommodate the resultant shift in the center of gravity.

Source Material (primary)

Further sources are required for comprehensive analysis. Subsequent investigation yielded a drawing of a Focke Wulf aircraft equipped with a BMW 802 engine. The dimensions of the drawing are 14 cm by 10 cm. Evidence on the reverse side suggests it was likely discovered by Heinz Norwarra.

H. Norwarra states the following in his book (Die Deutsche Luftrüstung 1933-1945), we're the same image is shown:

Weiterentwicklung FW 190 D mit 18-Zylinder BMW 802 Startleistung 2450 PS. Propellerhaube vorn offen für Kühlluftzuführung. Bewaffnung 4 MK, zwei über Motor, zwei in Flügelwurzel. Spannweite 13,00 m, Länge 11,15 m.

Engl.

Further development FW 190 D with 18-cylinder BMW 802 starting power 2450 hp. Propeller hood open at the front for cooling air supply. Armament 4 MK, two over engine, two in wing root. Span 13.00 m, length 11.15 m.

Strangely enough, it is described by Norwarra as a development of the FW 190 D. Nothing seems to support that statement at this point.

According to Gunston (2006), the development of the BMW 802 engine was discontinued in 1942, coinciding with the completion of the first D-0 model. The armament depicted in the drawing includes two MK 108 cannons positioned above the engine, a configuration that appears impractical given the limited available space. Contrary to this, luft46.com asserts that the aircraft was unarmed. Based on my assessment, a more plausible armament configuration would include two MG 131 machine guns, supplemented by MK 108 cannons mounted in the wings.

Reference:

Gunston, B. (2006). World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines: From the Pioneers to the Present Day (5th ed.). Stroud, UK: Sutton. ISBN 0-7509-4479-X.

Furthermore, in 'Flugzeug Classic 2/2005' a gentleman called Horst Lob (Bremen) published the following image, in the section ' letter to the editor'. This is the only source of a counter rotating prop configuration.

Apart from the image, the gentleman could not provide further information apart from some speculation. The image was titled 'Entwurf with BMW 8011' But, this is indeed the first 3- view drawing of that FW with the infamous BMW 8011.

As for the BMW 8011, the following statement were found on the https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/ forum:

From BMW Aero Engines by Jakobs, Kroschel, and Piere... "33 projects codenamed P 8000 to P 8032 are documented for the period up to April 1942 alone. All of them were either based on the BMW 801 (13 projects) or on the 802 (20 projects). For the most part, the main focus of the documented projects was on internal and external engine aerodynamics, looking for example at charge-air and cooling air feed, or at a double spinner with or without an inlet cone."

This seems to support the assumption that the BWM P.8011 was a sub-version of the 802 (or 801?). Information about that engine was at some point forwarded to BMW which integrated it into their design. As an example, P.8008 is depicted below. Wikipedia suggests two turbochargers for the P.8011. I do not have access to any source supporting that statement. P.8011 might as well featured 3 turbo chargers as P.8008.

The wing of the Mittelhuber fighter also differs significantly from the FW 190 wing, see below (compared here to FW 190 D-9 wing). The sweep angle of the leading edge is smaller, the wing tip pointier. Wing span is 13.00 m compared to 10.51 m for the D-9.

Overall. I have to assume, that Mittelhuber's design is not closely based on the 190 after all. Also, FW/ Mittelhuber would sporadically update the design with input from BMW, that was working on numerous sub- versions for the BMW 802. So at this point it can also be concluded that this aircraft was not a sub- variant of the FW 190.

The model kit (1/48 and 1/72) is available here: LINK

Arado E 395

Fri, 18 Aug 2023 13:32:00 GMT

ARADO E.395 model kit development

Outline

Similar in apearence to the Arado 234, the E.395 was a design proposal by Arado for the Strahlbomber competition [Hitler's 'Wonder Weapon' Bomber Projects Luftwaffe Secret Bombers of The Third Reich, by Dan Sharp]. As such, it was both longer and had a greater wing span.

Two different and interchangeable wing design were proposed, a straight wing and a crescent version.

The design proposal outlines two different engine configurations; with HeS 011 or Jumo 012. Drawings seem to depict a four engine configuration with HeS 011's with a total thrust of approximately 50kN. That value would be reached or exceeded with only two Jumo 012's. Leading to the conclusion that only two Jumo's were planned, despite the lack of information in primary sources to confirm that assumption. Only one drawing shows the Jumo version. But that sideview does not visualize the number of engines.

General Data

Overall aircraft data is shown in the table below.

Weight Data

Overall aircraft weight data is shown in the table below.

Engines

Only little information is available on the Jumo 012 engines. This Jumo engine configuration is the most interesting one however. There are only a handful of aircraft designs planned to use this engine which was in it's initial planning phase. Development of the engine was continued after WW2 in Russia.

Jumo 012A dimensions (Source http://hugojunkers.bplaced.net/junkers-jumo-012.html ):

More information about the Jumo 012 in Russia can be found in old CIA reports: https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/search/site/Jumo%20012%20Development%20at%20Kuybyshev

General layout

Overall layout of the design is assumed to be similar to the 234. A good source of information is the 234 handbook.

Images of frame 4 and 15 are displayed below (Source: 8-234 B-2 Flugzeug Handbuch). Frame 4 also serves as the back wall of the cockpit and contains a fitting for the nose landing gear.

The image below shows an original drawing of the E.395 (slightly enhanced/ Jumo version).

Landing Gear

Due to it's similarities with the 234, it can be assumed that many other design characteristics can be directly applied to the E-395.

The nose landing gear is moved by two hydraulic actuators and suspended with a central spring. This spring cylinder is placed in the direct compression load path of a support rod connected with a rotational joint. If extended, this rod/spring arrangement is pushed through and rotates into coaxial alignment thereby taking up a major portion of the impact loads.

The retracted nose landing gear forms a compact arrangement.

The main landing gear leg is connected to the fuselage with a swivel axis. Attached to the swivel axis is a cantilever. Hydraulic actuators use the cantilever to create a rotational moment that actuate the main landing gear leg.

In contrast to the Arado 234, the E.395 was planned with a two man crew.

Original Sources

Another original drawing was found here: ( https://polska-org.pl/6831343,foto.html ). The drawing was apparently sold.

Data sheet from the German report, also to be found in the Lockheed report ATT 19152.

The model kit /scale 1/48 and 1/72) can be found here: LINK

The EMW A-6

Sat, 11 Feb 2023 15:32:00 GMT

EMW A-6 model kit scale 1:48

The EMW A-6 looks definitely cool enough to justify making a model kit for it. And as far as I know, there is no 1:48 scale model kit on the market currently.

Some information from the www.nevingtonwarmuseum.com:

Update

I recently came across the report 'The Story of Peenemünde, or what might have been. The report highlights several aspects of the winged and piloted rocket. In particular the main landing gear arrangement differs from previous sources.

The image below showcases the general layout.

Leckere Kekse backen

Sat, 10 Oct 2020 18:13:21 GMT

Tips für richtig leckere Kekse (mit Rezept)

Damit Eure Kekse mit unseren Backförmchen so richtig gut funktionieren haben wir für euch ein paar Tips zusammengestellt.

Vorab einmal das Rezept:

100 g Butter
50 g Puderzucker (kann dem eigenen Geschmack angepasst werden)
30 g Ei
200 g Mehl

Die Mengen können unter Einhaltung des Mischungsverhältnisses erhöht werden.

Zunächst wird der Puderzucker mit der Butter vermengt. Danach wir das Ei hinzugegeben. Anschließend wird das Mehl untergehoben.

Wichtig: Damit der Teig die richtige Konsistenz erhält sollte er gekühlt werden; ca 30min im Gefrierfach oder 1-2 Stunden im Kühlschrank.

Mehr Keksausstecher findet Ihr hier:

Viel Spaß beim Nachbacken!

NG-2 PATHFINDER; full auto

183:805309772 (Kristian Zimmermann) — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 12:55:17 GMT

The full auto NG-2; the PATHFINDER

The PATHFINDER is essentially based on the standard NG-2. But it features a full auto mechanism, voltage indicator and safety catch. Max fps is 130, the rate of fire is approximately 900darts/min.

The safety catch is a mechanical lock, that keeps you form accidentally freiring the blaster. It is ambidextrous, hence available from both sides.

The voltage indicator is house in the main body and well visible from the rear.

The overall profile has been kept very slim, size is minimal. Performance is on par with the NG-2 with a max 130fps. Again you will find a cage that is completely printed in ABS to endure the potential heat from the motors. This is also true for the pushed mechanism which is printed in solid ABS. The pusher is powered by a gear box with metal gears.

As with most of our designs, you are able to choose your own color combinations.

NG-3; our first rival blaster

183:805309772 (Kristian Zimmermann) — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 08:58:58 GMT

The NG-3 'METEOR'; our first rival blaster

For this blaster we had to iterate ourselves through 17 different versions. Most deisgn solutions implemented on half- or full length darts where not applikable due to the different type of ammunition. Lets quickly dive into the main design drivers of this blaster.

Plenty of concepts have been investigated. Many of them were even manufactured, tested and improved upon.

Semi- or full auto

Rival ammunition has no directional preference if compared to foam darts, which have a preferred travel orientation. The rival ammunition can basically enter the fly wheels from any direction. So instead of having to align the magazine vertically, it can now be aligned horizontally with the main body of the blaster. If unlocked, the mag will now feed all balls into the fly wheels. Basically, you immediately end up with a full auto setup. One downside however, is the extensive rate of fire, which is basically uncontrolled. This proves to be problematic if your ammo capacity is limited. So with version v14 the design was revised to a semi auto action; Each trigger pull will launch a single ball. The main challenge here was to accomplish this without adding a complicated mechanism. So in the NG-3 the semi auto action is achieved without additional geared motors or solenoids.

Trigger pull and rate of fire

So with semi auto, you will be able to use your ammunition very economically. But, in order to still achieve a high rate of fire if necessary, the NG series uses a trigger return with linear force increase. This results in a very smooth and fast action. Initial designs had a single trigger which would also spin up the motors. The final design does however feature a separate rev trigger, which adds a little bit more control.

FPS

Currently, the NG-3 reaches a max 100fps with a 2s lipo setup. Ball type ammunition has a much shorter acceleration length compared to foam darts. So for the NG-3 the fly wheels had to be changed from the ground up. They are still 3D printed entirely in ABS.

Accessibility

The NG-3 feature a battery door at the rear of the main body. It does not require any tools to open it.

Additional features

Similar to the NG-2, the NG-3 will except 2s lipos measuring 58x30x15 mm. Both the 'Graphene 2s 950mAh 65c' from Outofdarts and the 'Turnigy Graphene Panther 1000mAh 2s 75c' from Hobbyking also fit.

The nozzle has a built in thread, allowing the installation of e.g. a hop-up or any other kind of barrel extensions (see image below for dimensions).

There is the possibility to also add a rear cover for those who prefer that option. But it is currently not part of the offer.

As usual you will find the NG-3 here in our online store or on ETSY .

The NG-2 GOBLIN

Wed, 05 Feb 2020 16:59:17 GMT

Design philosophy of the NG-2 GOBLIN

The NG-2 GOBLIN was designed in 2019 and basically follows the design philosophy of the original NG-1. But, as always, you learn. So the NG-2 was an effort to reduce the overall complexity of a blaster while optimizing it for easy printing and quick assembly. After all, 3Dprinting is rather scalable by simply investing in new machines. However, post processing, assembly, testing and shipping quickly become bottlenecks in production.

Minimal size was one of the early design drivers. So compared to the NG-1, which has massive 380 motor,, the GOBLIN features 180s. Simplicity was another driver. The choice to keep brushless motors was also a conscious one. Those run directly on DC from any battery. Weight specific power density is somewhat lower compared to brushless motor, but the effect is barely noticeable in this specific application. In contrast, no EMC is required. And, DC motors are readily available in bulk due to the fact that they are used in countless household items. The GOBLIN feature genuine high current switches and large gauge silicon wires.

Instead of full length darts, half length darts were chosen using Talon mags (Katanas proved to be quite unreliable) . The GOBLIN reaches between 120-130 fps max.

In order to cope with potential heat generated by the motors, the entire motor cage of the NG-2 is printed in ABS. This expands the temperature envelope to roughly 100°C.

If the battery is empty, no tools are required to remove it. A large lid grants direct access to the battery compartment. We use a 2s lipo measuring 58x30x15 mm. Both the 'Graphene 2s 950mAh 65c' from Outofdarts and the 'Turnigy Graphene Panther 1000mAh 2s 75c' from Hobbyking also fit. The GOBLIN is equipped with an XT-60 connector.

Another advantage of 3D printing is the fact that it allows us to use a lot of different colors and combine them in many different ways. For that purpose we prepared a color picker here .

The overall design has been kept highly modular. A dual cage version (DC) of the GOBLIN boosts fps to about 150. This is accomplished with a slightly longer nose that houses 4 motors.

Lately we added some accessories to the NG-2. Among those is an adjustable stock and fore grip.

The GOBLIN is available from our online store or ETSY .

What materials do we use and why

183:805309772 (Kristian Zimmermann) — Wed, 05 Feb 2020 14:29:37 GMT

A few things to mention about materials (especially PLA)

We use 3D printers to produce our products. There are different types of printers and countless different processes. We have specialized in what is sometimes revered to as FFF (fuse filament fabrication). The process is rather cost effective and uses a simple process of depositing a thermoplastic material layer by layer.

3D printing technology used to be locked down by patents for decades, limiting the technology to large and costly machines. Once those patents ran out, a new generation of desktop printers started to emerge. These machines are rather simple in design, but manage to output parts with astounding quality. Also, due to the small investment costs, the process can now be parallelized which has a profund influence on production costs.

At the core of all this, is the material. After all, it is the material in combination with a specific design that enables a desired functionality. And today, in 2020, PLA or 'polylactic acid' is one of the most widespread materials in desktop 3D printing.

PLA outperforms almost any other material in this category in terms of strength and stiffness (yes, those are two different things ;)). An interesting comparison is published by simplfy3d here . This is especially true if we take into account the directional dependency of the material properties which is introduced by the FFF process. Out of plane strength, i.e. layer adhesion, suffers greatly for most materials. The overall knock down for PLA is relatively low.

PLA does however suffer from a significant drawback; low maximum service temperature. PLA softens at rather low temperatures (40°C-50°C). Parts printed in PLA should hence not be exposed to excessive heat from e.g. sun light.

What does that mean for the design? If certain components in a deisgn generate more heat than PLA can handle (from e.g. electric motors), other materials such as ABS should be considered. One such example are motor cages for nerf blasters. We print those entirely in ABS to ensure no heat is transferred to the PLA .

Neuer TextSources:

Top image: colorfabb.com

Filament Properties Table: https://www.simplify3d.com/support/materials-guide/properties-table/

Strength comparison video: CNC kitchen; https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiczXOhGpvoQGhOL16EZiTg

Blaster overview

Wed, 05 Feb 2020 13:47:48 GMT

Created an overview of our blasters

The number of blasters that we have created and their derivatives is steadily increasing. I have hence decided to create a little overview, which you can find here . I will add more information over time, in an effort to answer as many questions as I can.