3D Printing Service: PM Me!

[Saturn488]

Over the last while I have 3D printed various parts for IIS members and I am happy to offer this service to anyone who is interested.

If you have a 3D file you want printed or an accessory/part/bracket you want custom designed to meet your requirements I am more than happy to help, astronomy related or not astronomy related.

I mainly print using either PLA or PETG (and exotic filaments such as stone and wood but only for those special prints!).

In relation to astronomy...

PETG is better for strength, chemical resistance and wear resistance. Parts don't look as clean as PLA and is harder to print with.
PETG would be recommended for dovetails, brackets, adapters and moving parts.

PLA is better for low-stress, cosmetic applications that require a better finish quality, indoor use and is easier to print with.
PLA would be better suited for accessories such as 1.25"/2" caps/covers/screw tops/knobs/case storage organisation, etc

My current stock of filament (as of 10/09 - this will be updated as stock changes):
- PLA (Orange)
- PLA (Blue)
- PLA (Olive Green)
- PLA (Carbon Fibre), this has a 70% PLA mixed with 30% carbon fibre. This is a new filament I just received

To order
- PETG (Black)
- PETG (Red)
- PETG (Carbon Fibre - if only I get enough requests for this material)

If interested, send me a PM. Will respond to message usually within a few hours.

I will post some photos up later today/tomorrow in this thread.

[MortonH]

Here's a brief description of some extra long eyepiece caps that I just had made.

https://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=206755

[Saturn488]

Stock update below.

[Saturn488]

Here is a sample of what can be achieved.

I recently got a new electronic focuser and it didn’t come with a suitable bracket for my refractor so I decided to make my own!

In the photo are three versions of the design I created. In the first photo the finalised design is the one of the far right.

Printed using PETG.

[Saturn488]

You can also contact me if you need anything other than astro things to print.

Here are sets of HDD brackets I printed for a fellow IIS user recently.

[Saturn488]

Just a reminder if anyone needs anything printed let me know.

I have a brand new spool of PETG in grey.

[GrahamL]

Vixen adapter for my DM 4 .... works fine and cheap as chips .

thanx so much.

[Saturn488]

Not a problem!

Let me know if you require anything else!

[Saturn488]

I am currently printing a ring system for my Rokinon 135mm portable setup.

Will be posting photos once the setup is complete.

[Saturn488]

I ended up selling the ring system along with the 135mm lens so cannot show the end result.

Have been printing a few things here and there astronomy and not astronomy related.

Currently have PETG in grey loaded in and will have white available at the end of the month.

[Saturn488]

PETG in white and black are now available.

Over the coming weeks I will be posting a few images of some custom Astronomy adapters/brackets I have designed myself.

I also may be re-launching my 3D printing service website I used to have 6 years ago if everything falls in the right order!

Just a note about postage. All prints will be sent in a regular satchel ($12), fully bubble wrapped. If the item is small enough and under 5mm then it will be sent as a letter.

[AstroViking]

Just to add another "thumbs up" to Saturn488's 3D printing service.

I had a ZWO EAF mount printed up for a project I'm working on and it turned out really well - solidly made, smooth surface, solid and strong.

Cheers,
V.

[inline_online]

Big thumbs up from me too.
I had some shelf brackets made for my fridge. They're a world better than the originals.
Thanks Stefan:)

[Saturn488]

Thank you all for the kind comments.

21/02
Currently doing some maintenance and upgrades on the printer but still accepting requests and orders (just waiting on parts to arrive). Hoping to get it up and running by the end of the week.

Have about half a spool left in PETG white and a full spool of PETG black.

Also, I am designing a sunshield for solar observing & imaging and a portable field flat for travel/small scope setups so please stay tuned!

[Saturn488]

Printer is back up and running well! Looking at adding an additional upgrade to it to stablise the bed which will result in better quality prints.

See attached on some random 3D prints I have done.

- A couple of vases I designed myself
- My original telescope pier idea
- Chain mail
- Stabiliser bracket for my 3D printer bed

[Saturn488]

Just letting all know that I have a bunch more filament added to my arsenal.

Astronomy related or not, give me a hola!

[sharkbite]

Hi Saturn488!

I have pm'd you with a bit more detail - putting the photos here....

I'm wondering if you can make a modified version of these?

cheers,

[Saturn488]

Currently printing some parts in a very, very nice PETG infused with carbon fibre. Colour is brick red and also have black.

Will be obtaining grey at some point.

A little more pricey if you want it in this material but well worth it.

Will post photos over the coming days.

[Saturn488]

Just a minor update.

Got a brand new 3D printer which is yielding great results.

Currently printing with PLA and PETG successfully.

[AdamJL]

Hi mate. I have a few couple of things I need printing. Can I drop you an email or PM?

[Saturn488]

Of course send me a PM

[Saturn488]

Multi colour has arrived.

I can print PLA with up to 4 colours. Contact me for current colour options.

PETG available in black and white.

Coming soon will be TPU which I will be testing over the coming weeks!

Again doesn’t have to be astronomy related.

[Leo.G]

My son is looking into possibly making his own 4K VR headset. Those tiny high definition screens are far from cheap though my son mentioned using an FPGA to make his own driver boards and save a considerable amount of money.
As for the headset, I'd already suggested to my son he'll have to design it (I'm way too stupid though I could probably do a jig and press an aluminium unit) and send you the file to have it printed.
That will be some way away though, still looking into the viability of the process.
Actually, the little screens aren't expensive, little high definition sharp units, it's the driver boards which are expensive.

[Saturn488]

No problem, always up for a challenge! Once the file is ready send it on through and will check it.

[Leo.G]

Thank you, it will be a while but we are interested in doing it, just chasing up the required screens and other hardware first.

[Saturn488]

Current stock of materials and colours.

PLA - Dark Green (Matte), Dark Red (Matte), Beige, Grey Blue, Glow in the Dark Green

PETG - Black & Grey

Filament that still requires testing and fine tuning but available
- PETG with Carbon Fibre in Black, Dark Blue and Brick Red

Coming soon
- TPU in Orange

Multi-colour now available. Can print up to 4 colours on the one model!

[Saturn488]

I have recently designed and printed a portable field flat that runs on a camping light. Did some test the other night and works perfectly.

Will post photos in the next few days.

Also modifying a weatherproof cable box to suit my solar needs that has some custom made brackets which should be completed soon!

[Saturn488]

Here are some nicely 3d printed polar scope glow in the dark adapter for the Star Adventurer!

[Saturn488]

Here is an adapter I designed myself to fit inside a weatherproof box from Bunnings. In here will be an Intel NUC and a power board for when I image the Sun.

The adapter fits perfectly into the bottom of the box and slides into the raised holes in the box. Two extra risers were printed and slide into the bracket and double sided tape was used to hold the NUC in place.

[jc3]

Nicely done.

[Saturn488]

Here is the field flat I designed and 3D printed myself. Have tested it on my Z61 and it had worked perfectly. No need for mains power or software required. Just put it on the front of the scope, turn it on and capture your flats!

It contains a portable camping light within a custom made housing. The light has 3 different brightness levels and can be charged via a USB cable. The light is a little too bright on the lowest setting so I installed a white acrylic blank. Screws are 100% metal.

The front can be interchanged with different apeture sizes so you can use it on multiple telescopes and use the same body/light. As this was designed for portability in mind, from memory I think the largest apeture I can do is around 90mm but I will need to check the model.

If you are interested in one of these please let me know.

[Leo.G]

I was going to ask about the white bit but read about the white acrylic blank.

That looks quite good and a lot easier than my tracing board I sit on top of my telescope (A3). The tracing board does work well with a good variation range in brightness but it's only really suitable when the scope is vertical.
If I'm just playing with a camera and lens I just bring it inside and sit it lens side down.
I really need something more like your system me thinks.

[Saturn488]

Just giving this a bump.

Still 3D printing! Please contact me if you need anything printed.

[Saturn488]

Just an updated on my current stock. Can print multi-colour too.

- PLA (White, Glow in the dark Green, Matte Blue, Ash Grey, Scarlet Red and Iron Grey Metallic)
- ASA (Grey)
- PETG (Black, Forest Green, Grey & Translucent Clear)

Happy to purchase a specific colour only if I get enough requests to purchase a spool.

[Saturn488]

Stock updated below.

If you also require prototyping for any models you have designed I can print those as well.

[gaseous]

Hi Stefan, is the black still a gloss, or do you have some matt in stock now? Cheers, Pat.

[Saturn488]

Hi Pat,

Still only have the PETG in black (gloss), have not had any other requests for matte black. Matte black will only be available in PLA.

I need to print a couple of things this weekend using PETG black. What I will do is I will have a play around with the settings to see if I can make it print less glossy. Will get back to you.

[gaseous]

Thanks Stefan, no worries.