3D printing gaskets?

Farmall Charlie · Apr 20, 2021

Has anyone used a 3D printer to make gaskets?

Just wounding.

Janicholson · Apr 20, 2021

It has 3 major issues. The first is that the process is not solid. It is a crossed woven placement of plastic in most common consumer level
devices. The second is that the material used is thermoplastic. Usual melting temp at less than 300 degrees. (more like 200 or so) the
third is that the deposit of actual plastic is made on a support material that sticks to it. Thin materials are very difficult to remove
from the platform used for the build, and from the matrix. A laser cutter/engraver is way better. Using real gasket material. I operate
3D printers every day or so, and we have a variety of them in use. Jim

Farmall Charlie · Apr 20, 2021

(quoted from post at 11:11:12 04/20/21) It has 3 major issues. The first is that the process is not solid. It is a crossed woven placement of plastic in most common consumer level
devices. The second is that the material used is thermoplastic. Usual melting temp at less than 300 degrees. (more like 200 or so) the
third is that the deposit of actual plastic is made on a support material that sticks to it. Thin materials are very difficult to remove
from the platform used for the build, and from the matrix. A laser cutter/engraver is way better. Using real gasket material. I operate
3D printers every day or so, and we have a variety of them in use. Jim

Thanks for the insight! So probably no the best option for making engine/transmission gaskets for my tractors?

Charlie

Dave41A · Apr 20, 2021

For something machine-made, probably what Janicholson wrote: real gasket material in a laser cutter. But it would be likely cheaper to buy pre-made unless your tractor is completely one-of-a-kind. The laser cutter would require a CAD drawing to cut from. I've had good luck putting a thin layer of motor oil on the gasketed surface, then laying uncut gasket material down. The wet outline of the oil on the gasket material shows me where to cut. I am sure others have better suggestions.

MJMJ · Apr 20, 2021

Everything Janicholson mentioned is correct, for FDM printers, which are the most common DIY printers. However, there several others types that could work fine for gaskets, such as SLS. Whether the cost could be justified is another matter.

jjamna · Apr 20, 2021

A lot of guy's are using a Cricut cutter to make basic gaskets. I don't have one so have not tried it but they say it works good.

DoubleO7 · Apr 21, 2021

(quoted from post at 20:02:50 04/20/21) A lot of guy's are using a Cricut cutter to make basic gaskets. I don't have one so have not tried it but they say it works good.

This!
Grand Papa and Grandma Love have one I think.

DoubleO7 · Apr 21, 2021

Here is a video doing gaskets with a circut.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=L3bIf9ti2L8

3D printing gaskets?

Farmall Charlie

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Janicholson

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Farmall Charlie

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Dave41A

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DoubleO7

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