10-04-2025, 10:56 PM
Leaks are the eternal battle with printed valves. You can't rely on the printed plastic-on-plastic for a seal at this scale.
My advice:
Embed a Seal: You need to modify your design to include a small groove for an O-ring. A 1mm cross-section O-ring would be perfect. You can buy a meter of silicone O-ring cord for cheap and glue the ends together for a perfect custom fit.
Material: PETG is okay for the body, but if you're using any aggressive chemicals, you'll want to move to ABS or ASA (better chemical resistance and you can smooth it with acetone for a better seal surface) or even Nylon (though it's a pain to print).
Stalling Servo: This is likely due to friction. An O-ring will actually reduce friction compared to a tight plastic-on-plastic fit. Also, ensure your ball is as spherical as possible. A light sanding might help.
Don't give up! The learning process is worth it.
My advice:
Embed a Seal: You need to modify your design to include a small groove for an O-ring. A 1mm cross-section O-ring would be perfect. You can buy a meter of silicone O-ring cord for cheap and glue the ends together for a perfect custom fit.
Material: PETG is okay for the body, but if you're using any aggressive chemicals, you'll want to move to ABS or ASA (better chemical resistance and you can smooth it with acetone for a better seal surface) or even Nylon (though it's a pain to print).
Stalling Servo: This is likely due to friction. An O-ring will actually reduce friction compared to a tight plastic-on-plastic fit. Also, ensure your ball is as spherical as possible. A light sanding might help.
Don't give up! The learning process is worth it.