3D printed coil forms
Has anyone experimented with 3D printing coil forms?
I’ve used the pvc pipe on the past, but there are a few issues there: 1)
Limited to particular diameters; 2) While ID is well-regulated, the OD can
vary and be out-of-round; 3) Cutting to size is necessary.
All of these issues could be solved by 3D printing, limited only to the
dimensions of the printer. Better for SSTCs than big spark-gap coils. My
main concern is the dielectric strength of common materials in 3D prints,
like PLA. I can print PLA and PETG on my FDM printer. ABS would require
some upgrades.
Also, you could do some really odd stuff, like coils that changed diameter
over the length!
Anyone have comments or experience?
Thanks in advance.
Joshua Thomas
My new email address is: joshuafthomas@gmail.com
Please update your information if you have not already done so.
I’ve 3D printed a primary coil form for a VTTC. See attached. Wire is 12awg, OD is 1ft. I think the turns were spaced too much.
I ended up switching to PVC of smaller diameter. I still use(d) the separate feedback form you can see on top, albeit mostly out of convenience.
PLA has perfectly fine dielectric properties. Comparable to PVC (though keep in mind PLA will have air).
On Feb 18, 2023, at 13:07, Joshua Thomas joshuafthomas@gmail.com wrote:
Has anyone experimented with 3D printing coil forms?
I’ve used the pvc pipe on the past, but there are a few issues there: 1)
Limited to particular diameters; 2) While ID is well-regulated, the OD can
vary and be out-of-round; 3) Cutting to size is necessary.
All of these issues could be solved by 3D printing, limited only to the
dimensions of the printer. Better for SSTCs than big spark-gap coils. My
main concern is the dielectric strength of common materials in 3D prints,
like PLA. I can print PLA and PETG on my FDM printer. ABS would require
some upgrades.
Also, you could do some really odd stuff, like coils that changed diameter
over the length!
Anyone have comments or experience?
Thanks in advance.
Joshua Thomas
My new email address is: joshuafthomas@gmail.com
Please update your information if you have not already done so.
Tesla mailing list -- tcml@tcml.pupman.com
To unsubscribe send an email to tcml-leave@tcml.pupman.com
Hey Joshua,
I have 3D printed many coil forms which was my main reason for buying a
3d printer.
Not sure what software you use, but Tinkercad is free online and has
worked well for simple designs for a complete 3D software beginner like
myself.
I have been using PETG a lot – seems a good all-rounder and works well
even for nested toroidal coil formers which are quite intricate. Not
perfect as the smaller wire guides can snap easily (as I found making
the center of spiral toroidal coils very difficult to complete
correctly…)
I’m now using PA12-CF Nylon filament for high temperature exposure –
has a warping temp of nearly 200C, and really strong. Working out great
so far on this printer (Prusa MK3S+).
Some toroidal coils are just beautiful to look at when finished, whilst
trying to figure out what they can actually be used for!
Cheers,
Ian.
Sent from [1]Mail for Windows
From: [2]Joshua Thomas
Sent: Saturday, February 18, 2023 3:18 PM
To: [3]Tesla Coil Mailing List
Subject: [TCML] 3D printed coil forms
Has anyone experimented with 3D printing coil forms?
I’ve used the pvc pipe on the past, but there are a few issues there:
1)
Limited to particular diameters; 2) While ID is well-regulated, the OD
can
vary and be out-of-round; 3) Cutting to size is necessary.
All of these issues could be solved by 3D printing, limited only to the
dimensions of the printer. Better for SSTCs than big spark-gap coils.
My
main concern is the dielectric strength of common materials in 3D
prints,
like PLA. I can print PLA and PETG on my FDM printer. ABS would require
some upgrades.
Also, you could do some really odd stuff, like coils that changed
diameter
over the length!
Anyone have comments or experience?
Thanks in advance.
--
Joshua Thomas
My new email address is: joshuafthomas@gmail.com
Please update your information if you have not already done so.
Tesla mailing list -- tcml@tcml.pupman.com
To unsubscribe send an email to tcml-leave@tcml.pupman.com
References
Hey Ian,
Thanks for your experiences. I print PLA and PETG so it's good to know PETG
is possible.
Can you speak more about the nested toroidal coil formers? Are those meant
for primary coils?
Thank you,
Joshua
On Sat, Feb 18, 2023 at 5:39 PM Ian Gault iancgault@gmail.com wrote:
Hey Joshua,
I have 3D printed many coil forms which was my main reason for buying a
3d printer.
Not sure what software you use, but Tinkercad is free online and has
worked well for simple designs for a complete 3D software beginner like
myself.
I have been using PETG a lot – seems a good all-rounder and works well
even for nested toroidal coil formers which are quite intricate. Not
perfect as the smaller wire guides can snap easily (as I found making
the center of spiral toroidal coils very difficult to complete
correctly…)
I’m now using PA12-CF Nylon filament for high temperature exposure –
has a warping temp of nearly 200C, and really strong. Working out great
so far on this printer (Prusa MK3S+).
Some toroidal coils are just beautiful to look at when finished, whilst
trying to figure out what they can actually be used for!
Cheers,
Ian.
Sent from [1]Mail for Windows
From: [2]Joshua Thomas
Sent: Saturday, February 18, 2023 3:18 PM
To: [3]Tesla Coil Mailing List
Subject: [TCML] 3D printed coil forms
Has anyone experimented with 3D printing coil forms?
I’ve used the pvc pipe on the past, but there are a few issues there:
1)
Limited to particular diameters; 2) While ID is well-regulated, the OD
can
vary and be out-of-round; 3) Cutting to size is necessary.
All of these issues could be solved by 3D printing, limited only to the
dimensions of the printer. Better for SSTCs than big spark-gap coils.
My
main concern is the dielectric strength of common materials in 3D
prints,
like PLA. I can print PLA and PETG on my FDM printer. ABS would require
some upgrades.
Also, you could do some really odd stuff, like coils that changed
diameter
over the length!
Anyone have comments or experience?
Thanks in advance.
--
Joshua Thomas
My new email address is: joshuafthomas@gmail.com
Please update your information if you have not already done so.
_______________________________________________
Tesla mailing list -- tcml@tcml.pupman.com
To unsubscribe send an email to tcml-leave@tcml.pupman.com
References
1. https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=550986
2. mailto:joshuafthomas@gmail.com
3. mailto:tcml@tcml.pupman.com
Tesla mailing list -- tcml@tcml.pupman.com
To unsubscribe send an email to tcml-leave@tcml.pupman.com
--
Joshua Thomas
My new email address is: joshuafthomas@gmail.com
Please update your information if you have not already done so.
I made a small gig that wound the coil onto a PVC pipe and I had no trouble
with it at all!
Look at my video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNeixCUEF5Q&t=8s&ab_channel=TonyFleming
Anyone can print the parts and later I've added an electronic counter as
well.
The counter uses one magnet to trigger the full turn and despite the
inexpensive price, it works like a charm.
I bought something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/DIGITEN-Digital-0-99999-Proximity-Magnetic/dp/B01DNLRAUA/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3OYABH3BFSX03&keywords=electronic+counter+with+sensor&qid=1676769278&sprefix=electronic+counter%2Caps%2C134&sr=8-3
On Sat, Feb 18, 2023 at 2:19 PM Joshua Thomas joshuafthomas@gmail.com
wrote:
Has anyone experimented with 3D printing coil forms?
I’ve used the pvc pipe on the past, but there are a few issues there: 1)
Limited to particular diameters; 2) While ID is well-regulated, the OD can
vary and be out-of-round; 3) Cutting to size is necessary.
All of these issues could be solved by 3D printing, limited only to the
dimensions of the printer. Better for SSTCs than big spark-gap coils. My
main concern is the dielectric strength of common materials in 3D prints,
like PLA. I can print PLA and PETG on my FDM printer. ABS would require
some upgrades.
Also, you could do some really odd stuff, like coils that changed diameter
over the length!
Anyone have comments or experience?
Thanks in advance.
Joshua Thomas
My new email address is: joshuafthomas@gmail.com
Please update your information if you have not already done so.
Tesla mailing list -- tcml@tcml.pupman.com
To unsubscribe send an email to tcml-leave@tcml.pupman.com