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minimum thickness of walls, floor with PLA  

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robotics
(@robotics)
Active Member
minimum thickness of walls, floor with PLA

I need to build some 5v cylinder battery holders for my robots. The boxes (100x50x20mm) will not be under stress nor weight and more weight means more drain on battery. What is the minimum thickness that would be recommended for the base and walls of the boxes? My initial guess would be 3-4mm.

Posted : 17/09/2020 7:39 pm
kpreid
(@kpreid)
Trusted Member
RE: minimum thickness of walls, floor with PLA

4 mm is really thick. For walls, two extrusion widths (0.8 mm with stock nozzle) is the narrowest width that is practical for structures. For horizontal surfaces, two layers (0.4 mm if layer height is 0.2 mm) is a minimum but you probably want more layers than that — e.g. if you choose 0.8 mm to match the minimal walls then you'll have four layers.

These minimums will make a very flimsy structure, but you can print it, see if it breaks or flexes too much, and reinforce it.

Posted : 17/09/2020 7:48 pm
robotics
(@robotics)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: minimum thickness of walls, floor with PLA

Thanx for the reply. I did a conversion fault. The numbers I meant to say were 1-2mm, maybe I will try 1.2mm

Posted : 17/09/2020 8:54 pm
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