A PLA model was built using PLA raft and supports. The wheel axle kit was used which includes a right side and left side driver and the interconnecting axle. At left the picture shows the model upon completion in the BFB-3000 3D printer. Natural (translucent clear) PLA was used for the raft and supports while black PLA was used for the model proper. The build cycle was 6 hr 33 minutes. The axle is standing on one end between the two wheels.
After removal from the printer the supports appear nearly transparent as shown at left. Initial inspection indicated good resolution of both wheel flanges and good finish and surface continuity, much better than was obtained previously using a PLA raft with ABS model material.
The model parts were readily removed from the raft and supports, generally more readily done using a needle nose pliers. Wheels and axle at left are shown alongside the removed raft and support materials. Some black PLA thin flash materials were also found and easily removed.
At left is one wheel photo made using a flash. Certain edges strongly reflected light. The overal wheel finish is quite smooth and generally semi-gloss black.
The axle was quite uniform in diameter except near the bottom where the keying feature required support material. The axle in that region appears bulged. The axle will require post processing to obtain a uniform diameter throughout it's length.
The other wheel photo was also taken with flash lighting and again has reflections due to the glossy surfaces.
The next step will be to measure the parts and determine how accurately the parts conform to the design dimensions. A preliminary fit check revealed that the axle will not fit into the wheels unlike the ABS parts. The ABS wheel axle kit run resulted in an undersized axle enough to permit a fair fit on one wheel and a very loose fit on the other. The axle will ultimately be bonded to the wheels, however, the fit should be close to preclude misalignment as much as possible.
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