MikeQ Posted May 4, 2022 Share Posted May 4, 2022 Hello sure I’ve asked this on some forum before but can’t find it now and things have most likely moved on anyway. I’d like to print Venturi with different sized holes for optimising the run on my Control line model engines. This kind of thing Control Line Venturi I’m guessing PLA won’t cut the mustard re the kind of temperatures that the crankcase gets to around the throttle/Venturi area. Might not be as hot as the cylinder head but still pretty hot. Motor in question is an OS 46 LA. cheers mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul De Tourtoulon Posted May 4, 2022 Share Posted May 4, 2022 Maybe not the same temperature but on my Enya carb I used heat sink tubing,,, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeQ Posted May 4, 2022 Author Share Posted May 4, 2022 Hi thanks for the feedback but I need the ability to create Venturi with precisely controlled diameters and shapes. My ancient lathe and poor machining skills could just about do it but time consuming compared to whacking out some 3D models and printing. cheers mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel R Posted May 4, 2022 Share Posted May 4, 2022 What temp can PLA withstand? How hot does an engine block get? Usually it's "just too hot to touch" I suspect the PLA might not last for long. Maybe worth a trial run on the ground with a test piece. Heat soak after the run finishes (ie no handy cooling breeze or flow through the venturi) might be the biggest problem? Probably be fine while running. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul De Tourtoulon Posted May 4, 2022 Share Posted May 4, 2022 Too many different parameters, it's sounds like it's a "suck it and see" experiment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeQ Posted May 4, 2022 Author Share Posted May 4, 2022 Hi i guess I was hoping someone would be able to suggest another material. Unfortunately PLA is all I’ve used before. cheers mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Skilbeck Posted May 4, 2022 Share Posted May 4, 2022 Bear in mind that cool air and fuel will be flowing through the venturi so it may not get very hot at all. But I found this which might help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Gray Posted May 4, 2022 Share Posted May 4, 2022 (edited) Personally I wouldn’t use PLA, you may just get away with PETG but ABS is much better for ‘warmer’ environments. Edited May 4, 2022 by Ron Gray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Sweeting 1 Posted May 4, 2022 Share Posted May 4, 2022 Could you just print different size rings to go into the venturi inlet for engine testing purposes. After tests you could try your machining skills again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Chaddock Posted May 4, 2022 Share Posted May 4, 2022 Apart from any temperature considerations, Is PLA glow fuel proof? Also bear in mind that normally the inerior of a venturi has a "polished" finish. You would not get such a finsh with 3D printing so it would not have the same airflow characteristics. The dimensions of a 3D printed venturi would not be appropriate for an aluminiuml one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Meade Posted May 10, 2022 Share Posted May 10, 2022 I'd be tempted to do this in "ABS-like" resin, which can be polished to a lovely finish on the inside face. Temp and chemical resistance both great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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