By Colin Wood
Aug 10, 2020
3D printing has opened to the door to many new projects–like 3D-printed pistons–but what about 3D hardware? The big question regarding 3D printed bolts: Does printing them vertically, horizontally or angled have any impact on their strength?
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8/10/20 2:51 p.m.
yes it does.
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8/12/20 7:43 a.m.
I hypothesize that the second method (axis of bolt horizontal) would be strongest for a layered printer. Since bolts are mostly loaded in tension while installed, the vertical axis print would have a failure plane between layers. IIRC, layer-to-layer strength is the weak part of prints. But the 45deg axis print might fail under torsion as it is tightened.
[Watches video]
Very cool video, thanks for sharing it. I'll try to use it next time I teach bolt analysis. Using 3D printing to discuss internal stress planes also gives me an idea for another class.
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