Welcome to the latest Makers Report!
Get ready to dive into the exciting projects and innovations that have been brewing in our lab. Here's a sneak peek at what we've been brewing in the lab.
We launched our Chuganation's 3D Lab Points loyalty program and referral program on 1/24/2025.
Our business partnered with 'Smile' to create our loyalty program referred to as the 'Chuganation's 3D Lab Points' program. Customers and clients earn beaker bubbles (points) for various actions. Visit our website then select 'Rewards' in the bottom right hand corner for more information about how to earn more beaker bubbles and discounts. Orders placed before 1/24/2025 may not qualify for this loyalty program. We appreciate all of our customers and clients and are looking forward to giving back to all of our customers that have kept us in business.
Illuminating signals - the indicator beacon project
The indicator beacon is a tall wall-mountable item that was designed to indicate a result. Our client needed a sustainable and repeatable solution for adding a stack light to present the operator of an industrial machine of a result. We designed this indicator beacon to be the solution to that request. The client provided the necessary light strips and panel mount connector for our team to implement into this project. This iteration features a red light to present a passing result and a green light to present a failing result. It features two mounting holes and mounts flush to the aluminum extrusion found on the manufacturing machine where the client wishes to implement the beacon.
PA6-GF - Rough texture, featuring excellent heat resistance.
Last week, we discussed our T7 motorcycle canister project. Using engineering grade material (polycarbonate) which has a vicat softening temperature of 114°C (237.2 °F). we crafted a canister for a client with a 'T7' graphic embedded within it. This canister has a threaded lid that easily twists off while remaining secure enough to remain on the canister while in route. According to Quora, motorcycle engines run 'anywhere between 180°F and 230°F depending on whether is it sitting in heavy traffic or moving through the air.' Our client for this project was concerned that the engine may experience higher temperatures than the window found on Quora.
We want to exceed client expectations so we didn't settle for the polycarbonate with the marginal softening temperature. Our team decided to fabricate a new canister utilizing PA6-GF which is a 3D printing filament made of glass fiber reinforced nylon 6. It's surface has a rough, matte texture due to the glass fiber reinforcement. Due to the glass fiber reinforcement, PA6-GF has a vicat softening temperature of 210 °C (410 °F) and a heat deflection rating of 182 °C (359.60 °F).
What's the difference between 'vicat softening temperature' and 'heat deflection rating'? The Vicat softening temperature is the temperature at which a flat-ended needle penetrates the specimen to the depth of 1 mm under a specific load. On the other hand, heat deflection temperature (HDT) is the temperature at which a plastic or polymer sample begins to deform under a specific load, essentially measuring its resistance to distortion at elevated temperatures; it is a key indicator of a material's ability to withstand heat while maintaining its shape under stress.
What happens when the heat deflection temperature is exceeded?
When the heat deflection temperature is exceeded, the materials ability to resist distortion and deformation is compromised. In other words, the fabrication morphs and deforms. If the fabrication contains threads, they will seize as the shape of the object is no longer circular and the inner threads are deformed. Below is a sample of our polycarbonate that was heated to approximately 275 °F (242.60 °F is the heat deflection rating for polycarbonate).
