3D Printing Hack | PLA Friction Welding

[@peterrealar2.067]

Now that's a useful tip! Makes sense to fuse with the same material.

[@OMGTheCloud]

Glad it was helpful!

[@martinlaak]

Wow. Thanx!

[@MikeOxolong]

genius

[@mutantthegreat7963]

Check out also super glue and baking soda - also pretty good for filling cracks like this.

[@notG1O]

Quick simple trick in a pinch, if this is something you do regularly tho something like 3d gloop is probably easier and stronger!

[@OMGTheCloud]

Fair enough! I like to learn and teach as many techniques as possible to extend my tool belt and knowledge.. thanks for checking in!

[@MindMazeMediaNaga]

Thank you so much for this! Wishing your channel leaps and bounds of growth ❤

[@OMGTheCloud]

Thank you so much!

[@Botannik5281]

this is so cool omg thanks for this

[@OMGTheCloud]

Awesome, you're welcome! Appreciate the support!

[@therealaizensama]

Actually, quite an innovative way. A well thought out-of-the box approach. I like it. Thanks. Would it be possible to make a "more scientific" assessment of the bonding/adhesion energy by comparing the adhesion force vs a chemical glue (epoxy) put at the same edge location? Now, of course the bonding effectiveness will depend on the materials we want to bond. Ideally, the material of what we want to bond should be the same plastic as the 3D printer filament.

[@OMGTheCloud]

Great idea! I'm not sure I have the equipment to measure the strength in a scientific way (other than me pulling on it until it breaks!). The goal and theory behind friction welding is as you mention: we are bonding the pieces using the same material and thermal adhesion properties as the part was originally formed from. If we think of this a bit in the "weakest link in the chain" concept, we do not gain any overall strength in the part by making the bond between them stronger than the overall 3D printed parts' layer adhesion. So, if we can make the bonded joint equally strong with friction welding, we've made the overall part as strong as it possibly can be :)

[@therealaizensama]

I guess that a priori if same materials are involved in the friction welding we should expect the highest bonding "potential" as if 3d printed however intuitively a deposit of molten filament vs a high friction speed does not enable the same entanglement of the polymers at the interface. For the normal 3D printing, there is some time left for the molten plastic to adhere with the lower layer with the help of gravity. For the friction approach, it is quite a sudden (i guess higher temperature than with the extruder) rearranging/melting of the plastic locally. You never know, might be that with a thermal camera to check at which rotation speed corresponds to the 3d printer extruder temperature. You can even plan for a DOE/publication/partnership with a university, because to me all what you are showing is subject to fields in tribology (applicable in many fields).

[@alexander8931]

What kind of material do you use? Is it PLA, PETG, something else?

[@OMGTheCloud]

This is PLA. It should work equally well with other filament materials, just a matter of whether higher-temp filaments could benefit from running your rotary tool a bit faster!

[@DrGeta666]

Interesting. Now do it with nylon-cf

[@OMGTheCloud]

I've only done it with PLA, would be interested in what you find with nylon!

[@DrGeta666]

@@OMGTheCloud it would act like a chainsaw lol.

[@OMGTheCloud]

haha, yes great point! That'd basically be the same type of material as what a weed whacker uses... chop chop!!

[@Simon-uj3yf]

I needed this! Thank you, I will buy a dremel now. 🤣

[@OMGTheCloud]

Glad I could help!

[@DesertGardenPrepper]

that's awesome!

[@OMGTheCloud]

Thanks!

[@LoopyAnh]

Interesting but seems to me outside the spot welding it isnt as great as the glue/plastic weld or the solder iron and plastic welding way.

[@TheFlyingScotsmanTV]

go ahead and go ahead

[@1230eminem]

As a welder i may have to try this. Stack dimes on some plastic 😂

[@OMGTheCloud]

That's right! Let us know how you do, especially coming from an experienced welder!

[@1230eminem]

@@OMGTheCloud I will I might just design a weld coupon and print a couple lol

[@XA--pb9ni]

I mean yes. But a 3d Pen would have been faster and maybe even cleaner if you do it right.

[@OMGTheCloud]

I’ve heard of those, but never tried one. Any suggestions? I wonder as far as structural strength, would a 3D pen also be melting the material on the pieces you are joining, or would it just sort of “inject” plastic into the crack? Could end up with a cold joint 🤔

[@EvanzoZubinsky]

​@@OMGTheCloudI doubt it. 3d pen is basically hand held extruder, so bond strength is roughly the same as layer adhesion. Friction welding is probably stronger. I prefer fusing parts together using brush and DHM.

[@OMGTheCloud]

I’ll have to try that! Not familiar with the process, is that a solvent based solution?

[@EvanzoZubinsky]

@@OMGTheCloud Yes it is, dichloromethane is a solvent that disolves PLA just like acetone disolves ABS, it evaporates in seconds, so you've got to be quick: apply little bit of DHM on one of the surfaces, quickly press it to another and hold for 5-10 seconds, it will fuse together very fast, but it will take about half an hour for PLA-DHM mix to cure completely and reach it's full strength. Caution: DHM is moderately toxic, so it is recomended to use it in well ventilated room and use eye protection and gloves

[@mikelewis1166]

D I Why?!

[@OMGTheCloud]

:)

[@oliveraurich9642]

...or you go with a 3D-Pen... but that does not make noise and you need to buy it... if you not just use a soldering iron.

[@DoubleMotherLess]

ill used this trick long ago, nowdays it may be better to just get a cheap 3d pen ^^

[@OMGTheCloud]

Give it a try! I wonder how strong the 3D pen method is... maybe can do a comparison?