3D printing mesh intakes, threaded fittings, bulkheads and odd-shape lids?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Hi Andy, maybe you could provide a link to the procedure of the 3D printing of these parts. I for one have never heard that anything like this is done on the commercial basis, let alone the custom basis but I can be out of touch with the latest and greatest tech, of course.

For mesh intakes, threaded fittings, and bulkheads I think we usually go online or to a hardware store in town. These are made by casting I think commercially. The odd-shape lids I think are usually fashioned out of what's at hand.

I am confident though I am not getting your question quite right.
 
A former member here is quite handy with creating various objects with his 3D printer.He's made aquarium decor items as well as fittings for his filtration system.
 
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Glad to be wrong and to learn more.
 
thebiggerthebetter thebiggerthebetter - exactamundo, but home-fabrication from PVC fittings, styrofoam & epoxy putty is time consuming, messy, ugly & it never rrreeeeeealy works. I'd really love to never spend another afternoon dremmel'ing a 1.5" PVC drain segment into an intake, for example. We've not got a Lowes within a reasonable swimming distance for even variations on the basic themes, so my option #3 is to 3Dprint. Not commercial, just one-offs as I need them rather than keeping/storing a drawer full of bits & parts & spares & to-be-repaired's.

I found this on another thread yesterday - I think MFK, though I don't remember <https://www.thingiverse.com/search?q=aquarium&type=things&sort=relevant&page=2> Might be or be related to the fella of whom K krichardson is thinking & I hope this person does chime-in.
 
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Plethora of 3D printing discussion groups, associations and online communities.

That's where I would start.
 
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If I understood right, were you making a screen out of an end of a 1.5" PVC pipe end? I usually do it with drill bits and drill and it takes minutes.

Screened / mesh intake can be fashioned by tying, e.g. zip tying, a plastic mesh to a pipe's end.
 
Don’t use PLA. It is biodegradable. ABS or Polycarbonate…………….Keep in mind printed items are not exactly the same as molded or machined plastics. They are made in layers so there will always be some porosity. It will eventually leech water through. You can coat them though………
 
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