Hi David,

congratulations for discovering 3D-print. It is a tool with a huge scope of application.

In my actual job as development/mechanical engineer I print about 2 – 3 parts every day. We have 5 printers at work, two of those are FDM-printers (like the one you posted) and three are SLA printers. SLA uses liquid resin which is hardened by UV-optics and really is another world, regarding speed, accuracy and material choice. But it comes at a price which is not feasible for most private uses. FDM printers are fine, too, just slow and limited when it comes to strength of the parts. 3D-printing so quickly got standard in mechanical engineering, that I can hardly imagine how it was before they’ve been around… Beeing able to design my parts, hit print and three hours later I can check with my own hands what I before designed in CAD – that’s amazing. Of course, that’s only for prototyping. I can imagine a lot of applications for the junk rig, and you already have plenty ideas :-)

Just to throw in some thoughts:

Instead of using the printed parts - where you are limited by the limited properties of “printed” PLA, ABS, PETG and the like – you might want to consider to use the 3D-printer to build moulds. Such a printed mould does not have to be so strong, but can be used to laminate grp parts and cast rubber/silicone parts. It if of course important to wax the printed mould (candle wax is just fine), to be able to remove the casted/laminated parts.

For example: the circular mast wedge and the mast collar you posted recently could be casted by 2k-materials into a 3D-printed mould. That way, you are not limited to what material your printer is able to work with and not limited to the reduced strength of layer printing (which is not as good as advertised, especially with flexible material…).

Another example: Three years ago I printed a simple mould for Ilvy’s anchor locker lid. It had no exit hole for the anchor chain, and I didn’t want it to be open to the weather. So I clamped the mould to the lid, laminated, and removed the mould. It worked like a charme.

One junk rig related part I am constantly juggling in my head are laminated hinge cones for the wing sail (yes, Ilvy needs one!). With a 3D-printed mould, which can be repeatedly separated, it should be possible to laminate these cones from carbon, keeping them light, strong and cheap. I imagine using an inflatable positive cushion, onto which the wetted carbon layers are arranged. Then the 3D-printed negative mould is fastened around it – and the cushion filled with pressurized air.

I wish you some good and nice hours digging into the 3D-printing world. Looking forward to some fascinating ideas from you!

Cheers

Paul

How about this for a very simple item to print? A circular mast wedge with a slot in it so that it can be easily slid onto an aluminium mast. The material, diameter and cone half-angle can be adjusted according to the requirement. This example is for a 200 mm diameter mast, the height is 100 mm and the half-angle is 5˚.

Anonymous wrote:

Hello Jacques,

It’s good that we’re using the same 3D modelling software, Fusion. I can send you an invitation to join my “hub” and see what I am working on, but it seems that this is only on a read-only basis, as we’re using the free version. 

. Hello David

Thanks for invitation 

Now, I am member of JRA hub in Fusion . File is empty - photo enclosed.

Hello David , 

Nice idea. I bought à 3D printer in July ( Creality Ender 3V3 SE) and made some box for my boat.

I take interest to develop specific nautical material.

I use Fusion 360 free and Ultimaker Cura 

Jacques 

If you have downloaded the latest magazine, there is a mention of some 3-D printing by Alexander T (see The Boatshed). I am sorry, because of space requirements the images are very small and may have been missed by readers. The items are batten end plugs, and an interesting central portion which functions as a truss in the style of double-tube yard which Arne designed some years ago, plus end plugs for that type of yard. I am not sure if Alexander follows the forum. Here are the images he provided, with a note that after testing, he is prepared to share the blue prints/model.