70 cm Lindenblad progress - notable support structure for parasitic elements
Hi All,
Over the past few months I've been designing & assembling a few 70 cm Lindenblads. The current version is shown in the attached picture (link below). Arrow shafts are used for parasitic elements. The shafts are bonded in place with fiberglass resin. Rubber end caps (from McMaster) cover the shaft ends.
The notable part of this design is the central structure (supporting parasitic elements) is 3D printed as *one part*. Virtually all of the angles and spacings are achieved in the 3D printing process. After struggling to align and bond various PVC and irrigation parts in other versions, it was a breeze to assemble this design: one nylon machine screw, one nut, four bonding points.
The design could be easily modified to accommodate 0.125 inch diameter parasitic elements as well.
Regards,
Curt / K7ZOO Tucson AZ
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1i2c6T5lZtI00KChbJuyphvvechzBvlNw/view?usp=s...
Very nice! Will you make the STL file available?
73 Stefan, VE4SW
On Tue, Sep 22, 2020 at 7:46 PM Curt Laumann via AMSAT-BB < amsat-bb@amsat.org> wrote:
Hi All,
Over the past few months I've been designing & assembling a few 70 cm Lindenblads. The current version is shown in the attached picture (link below). Arrow shafts are used for parasitic elements. The shafts are bonded in place with fiberglass resin. Rubber end caps (from McMaster) cover the shaft ends.
The notable part of this design is the central structure (supporting parasitic elements) is 3D printed as *one part*. Virtually all of the angles and spacings are achieved in the 3D printing process. After struggling to align and bond various PVC and irrigation parts in other versions, it was a breeze to assemble this design: one nylon machine screw, one nut, four bonding points.
The design could be easily modified to accommodate 0.125 inch diameter parasitic elements as well.
Regards,
Curt / K7ZOO Tucson AZ
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1i2c6T5lZtI00KChbJuyphvvechzBvlNw/view?usp=s... _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Sure Stefan, et al, I'd be happy to share the STL file. I used FreeCAD and will make those files available as well. I'm sure others can further improve the design.
I printed this part out of eSun PLA+, but a better choice for outside use might be PETG.
Regards,
Curt / K7ZOO Tucson AZ
On Tue, Sep 22, 2020 at 6:07 PM Stefan Wagener wageners@gmail.com wrote:
Very nice! Will you make the STL file available?
73 Stefan, VE4SW
On Tue, Sep 22, 2020 at 7:46 PM Curt Laumann via AMSAT-BB < amsat-bb@amsat.org> wrote:
Hi All,
Over the past few months I've been designing & assembling a few 70 cm Lindenblads. The current version is shown in the attached picture (link below). Arrow shafts are used for parasitic elements. The shafts are bonded in place with fiberglass resin. Rubber end caps (from McMaster) cover the shaft ends.
The notable part of this design is the central structure (supporting parasitic elements) is 3D printed as *one part*. Virtually all of the angles and spacings are achieved in the 3D printing process. After struggling to align and bond various PVC and irrigation parts in other versions, it was a breeze to assemble this design: one nylon machine screw, one nut, four bonding points.
The design could be easily modified to accommodate 0.125 inch diameter parasitic elements as well.
Regards,
Curt / K7ZOO Tucson AZ
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1i2c6T5lZtI00KChbJuyphvvechzBvlNw/view?usp=s... _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
I built a patch feed for 1296 MHz and a folding fabric dish using many 3D printed parts. I have some experience testing parts under stress in hot weather.
PLA is great for prototyping but will fail quickly outdoors and then be eaten by squirels and deer. :0
Nylon is strong but softens significantly in heat.
ABS or PETG are UV stabile and relatively heat resistant. PETG is great because it prints straight and strong.
3D printing will be a game changer for ham antenna builders.
73 - Paul - W2HRO
On Tue, Sep 22, 2020, 21:27 Curt Laumann via AMSAT-BB amsat-bb@amsat.org wrote:
Sure Stefan, et al, I'd be happy to share the STL file. I used FreeCAD and will make those files available as well. I'm sure others can further improve the design.
I printed this part out of eSun PLA+, but a better choice for outside use might be PETG.
Regards,
Curt / K7ZOO Tucson AZ
On Tue, Sep 22, 2020 at 6:07 PM Stefan Wagener wageners@gmail.com wrote:
Very nice! Will you make the STL file available?
73 Stefan, VE4SW
On Tue, Sep 22, 2020 at 7:46 PM Curt Laumann via AMSAT-BB < amsat-bb@amsat.org> wrote:
Hi All,
Over the past few months I've been designing & assembling a few 70 cm Lindenblads. The current version is shown in the attached picture (link below). Arrow shafts are used for parasitic elements. The shafts are bonded in place with fiberglass resin. Rubber end caps (from McMaster) cover the shaft ends.
The notable part of this design is the central structure (supporting parasitic elements) is 3D printed as *one part*. Virtually all of the angles and spacings are achieved in the 3D printing process. After struggling to align and bond various PVC and irrigation parts in other versions, it was a breeze to assemble this design: one nylon machine screw, one nut, four bonding points.
The design could be easily modified to accommodate 0.125 inch diameter parasitic elements as well.
Regards,
Curt / K7ZOO Tucson AZ
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1i2c6T5lZtI00KChbJuyphvvechzBvlNw/view?usp=s...
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite
program!
Subscription settings: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
I am pretty ignorant with respect to 3D printing, but this question just popped into my head. Is there any kind of electrically conductive material that can be used for 3D printing so you could print the actual antenna?
Steve AI9IN
----- Original Message ----- From: Paul Andrews via AMSAT-BB (amsat-bb@amsat.org) Date: 09/23/20 11:05 To: Curt Laumann (curt.laumann@gmail.com) Cc: AMSAT-BB@amsat.org Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] 70 cm Lindenblad progress - notable support structure for parasitic elements
I built a patch feed for 1296 MHz and a folding fabric dish using many 3D printed parts. I have some experience testing parts under stress in hot weather.
PLA is great for prototyping but will fail quickly outdoors and then be eaten by squirels and deer. :0
Nylon is strong but softens significantly in heat.
ABS or PETG are UV stabile and relatively heat resistant. PETG is great because it prints straight and strong.
3D printing will be a game changer for ham antenna builders.
73 - Paul - W2HRO
There are plastic filaments for 3D printing that contain conductive material. They are conductive but probably not as good as aluminum and certainly not copper. There are highly conductive acrylic paints that can be applied the the exterior of printed parts.
I have read research about printing waveguide and applying silver paint. The results were good.
I have printed antenna parts and applied adhesive copper foil. This can work well. Copper foil is cheap.
73 - Paul - W2HRO
On Wed, Sep 23, 2020 at 12:40 PM Steve Kristoff via AMSAT-BB < amsat-bb@amsat.org> wrote:
I am pretty ignorant with respect to 3D printing, but this question just popped into my head. Is there any kind of electrically conductive material that can be used for 3D printing so you could print the actual antenna?
Steve AI9IN
----- Original Message ----- From: Paul Andrews via AMSAT-BB (amsat-bb@amsat.org) Date: 09/23/20 11:05 To: Curt Laumann (curt.laumann@gmail.com) Cc: AMSAT-BB@amsat.org Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] 70 cm Lindenblad progress - notable support structure for parasitic elements
I built a patch feed for 1296 MHz and a folding fabric dish using many 3D printed parts. I have some experience testing parts under stress in hot weather.
PLA is great for prototyping but will fail quickly outdoors and then be eaten by squirels and deer. :0
Nylon is strong but softens significantly in heat.
ABS or PETG are UV stabile and relatively heat resistant. PETG is great because it prints straight and strong.
3D printing will be a game changer for ham antenna builders.
73 - Paul - W2HRO
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Can you share the 3D printing files? Which material are you using?
73 - Paul - W2HRO
On Tue, Sep 22, 2020, 20:46 Curt Laumann via AMSAT-BB amsat-bb@amsat.org wrote:
Hi All,
Over the past few months I've been designing & assembling a few 70 cm Lindenblads. The current version is shown in the attached picture (link below). Arrow shafts are used for parasitic elements. The shafts are bonded in place with fiberglass resin. Rubber end caps (from McMaster) cover the shaft ends.
The notable part of this design is the central structure (supporting parasitic elements) is 3D printed as *one part*. Virtually all of the angles and spacings are achieved in the 3D printing process. After struggling to align and bond various PVC and irrigation parts in other versions, it was a breeze to assemble this design: one nylon machine screw, one nut, four bonding points.
The design could be easily modified to accommodate 0.125 inch diameter parasitic elements as well.
Regards,
Curt / K7ZOO Tucson AZ
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1i2c6T5lZtI00KChbJuyphvvechzBvlNw/view?usp=s... _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
On 09/22/20 19:44, Curt Laumann via AMSAT-BB wrote:
Over the past few months I've been designing & assembling a few 70 cm Lindenblads. The current version is shown in the attached picture (link below). Arrow shafts are used for parasitic elements. The shafts are bonded in place with fiberglass resin. Rubber end caps (from McMaster) cover the shaft ends.
The notable part of this design is the central structure (supporting parasitic elements) is 3D printed as *one part*. Virtually all of the angles and spacings are achieved in the 3D printing process. After struggling to align and bond various PVC and irrigation parts in other versions, it was a breeze to assemble this design: one nylon machine screw, one nut, four bonding points.
The design could be easily modified to accommodate 0.125 inch diameter parasitic elements as well.
Hello Curt,
It appears you and I had the same thought.
Look for an upcoming article, already submitted, in the AMSAT journal about my design. The OpenSCAD source files and STL files will be available.
--- Zach N0ZGO
Curt,
Your whole process and experimentation of these would make for an interesting AMSAT Journal article. If you have the time, please consider writing it up. Pictures included.
E. Michael McCardel, AA8EM, former KC8YLD Former Senior Editor for AMSAT News Service, Past VP Educational Relations for AMSAT-NA
Have you donated to get your Fox-1 Challenge Coin Yet? http://www.amsat.org/?p=3275
On Tue, Sep 22, 2020 at 8:46 PM Curt Laumann via AMSAT-BB < amsat-bb@amsat.org> wrote:
Hi All,
Over the past few months I've been designing & assembling a few 70 cm Lindenblads. The current version is shown in the attached picture (link below). Arrow shafts are used for parasitic elements. The shafts are bonded in place with fiberglass resin. Rubber end caps (from McMaster) cover the shaft ends.
The notable part of this design is the central structure (supporting parasitic elements) is 3D printed as *one part*. Virtually all of the angles and spacings are achieved in the 3D printing process. After struggling to align and bond various PVC and irrigation parts in other versions, it was a breeze to assemble this design: one nylon machine screw, one nut, four bonding points.
The design could be easily modified to accommodate 0.125 inch diameter parasitic elements as well.
Regards,
Curt / K7ZOO Tucson AZ
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1i2c6T5lZtI00KChbJuyphvvechzBvlNw/view?usp=s... _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
This looks great. I look forward to seeing the STL and design files. BTW PLA held up well for 3D printed antenna parts in Brooklyn NY. It might melt elsewhere, but given the melting point is about 180C and it only got to about 40C on my roof, the 3D printed parts were fine. I had them up through winter and summer for many years. It seems UV resistant. While squirrels have access to the roof, they could not get to the 3D printed parts, so that was not an issue.
73 Chris
On Wed, Sep 23, 2020 at 12:33 PM E.Mike McCardel via AMSAT-BB < amsat-bb@amsat.org> wrote:
Curt,
Your whole process and experimentation of these would make for an interesting AMSAT Journal article. If you have the time, please consider writing it up. Pictures included.
E. Michael McCardel, AA8EM, former KC8YLD Former Senior Editor for AMSAT News Service, Past VP Educational Relations for AMSAT-NA
Have you donated to get your Fox-1 Challenge Coin Yet? http://www.amsat.org/?p=3275
On Tue, Sep 22, 2020 at 8:46 PM Curt Laumann via AMSAT-BB < amsat-bb@amsat.org> wrote:
Hi All,
Over the past few months I've been designing & assembling a few 70 cm Lindenblads. The current version is shown in the attached picture (link below). Arrow shafts are used for parasitic elements. The shafts are bonded in place with fiberglass resin. Rubber end caps (from McMaster) cover the shaft ends.
The notable part of this design is the central structure (supporting parasitic elements) is 3D printed as *one part*. Virtually all of the angles and spacings are achieved in the 3D printing process. After struggling to align and bond various PVC and irrigation parts in other versions, it was a breeze to assemble this design: one nylon machine screw, one nut, four bonding points.
The design could be easily modified to accommodate 0.125 inch diameter parasitic elements as well.
Regards,
Curt / K7ZOO Tucson AZ
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1i2c6T5lZtI00KChbJuyphvvechzBvlNw/view?usp=s...
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership.
Opinions
expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite
program!
Subscription settings: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
PLA won't last long under Arizona's heat. A better choice would be PETG, ABS or ASA (best choice).
73 Fernando, KF7R
On Wed, Sep 23, 2020, 1:14 PM Chris Thompson via AMSAT-BB < amsat-bb@amsat.org> wrote:
This looks great. I look forward to seeing the STL and design files. BTW PLA held up well for 3D printed antenna parts in Brooklyn NY. It might melt elsewhere, but given the melting point is about 180C and it only got to about 40C on my roof, the 3D printed parts were fine. I had them up through winter and summer for many years. It seems UV resistant. While squirrels have access to the roof, they could not get to the 3D printed parts, so that was not an issue.
73 Chris
On Wed, Sep 23, 2020 at 12:33 PM E.Mike McCardel via AMSAT-BB < amsat-bb@amsat.org> wrote:
Curt,
Your whole process and experimentation of these would make for an interesting AMSAT Journal article. If you have the time, please consider writing it up. Pictures included.
E. Michael McCardel, AA8EM, former KC8YLD Former Senior Editor for AMSAT News Service, Past VP Educational Relations for AMSAT-NA
Have you donated to get your Fox-1 Challenge Coin Yet? http://www.amsat.org/?p=3275
On Tue, Sep 22, 2020 at 8:46 PM Curt Laumann via AMSAT-BB < amsat-bb@amsat.org> wrote:
Hi All,
Over the past few months I've been designing & assembling a few 70 cm Lindenblads. The current version is shown in the attached picture
(link
below). Arrow shafts are used for parasitic elements. The shafts are bonded in place with fiberglass resin. Rubber end caps (from McMaster) cover the shaft ends.
The notable part of this design is the central structure (supporting parasitic elements) is 3D printed as *one part*. Virtually all of the angles and spacings are achieved in the 3D printing process. After struggling to align and bond various PVC and irrigation parts in other versions, it was a breeze to assemble this design: one nylon machine screw, one nut, four bonding points.
The design could be easily modified to accommodate 0.125 inch diameter parasitic elements as well.
Regards,
Curt / K7ZOO Tucson AZ
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1i2c6T5lZtI00KChbJuyphvvechzBvlNw/view?usp=s...
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership.
Opinions
expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views
of
AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite
program!
Subscription settings: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership.
Opinions
expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite
program!
Subscription settings: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
-- Chris E. Thompson chrisethompson@gmail.com g0kla@arrl.net _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Hi Chris,
I really have to chuckle at this discussion!!! I grew up in MN, but now live in Tucson... what a contrast. I see squirrels maybe a few times a year on my Tucson property, but the Arizona UV is obviously brutal. One of my friends (K7RJ) printed out a PLA part to use on an outside mast. It lasted about six months (outside in direct sun) and started to show signs of significant deformation.
By the way, the "cold" water here in Tucson (at my house) doesn't get cold to the touch until (literally) October. :)
Curt / K7ZOO
On Wed, Sep 23, 2020 at 1:09 PM Chris Thompson g0kla@arrl.net wrote:
This looks great. I look forward to seeing the STL and design files. BTW PLA held up well for 3D printed antenna parts in Brooklyn NY. It might melt elsewhere, but given the melting point is about 180C and it only got to about 40C on my roof, the 3D printed parts were fine. I had them up through winter and summer for many years. It seems UV resistant. While squirrels have access to the roof, they could not get to the 3D printed parts, so that was not an issue.
73 Chris
On Wed, Sep 23, 2020 at 12:33 PM E.Mike McCardel via AMSAT-BB < amsat-bb@amsat.org> wrote:
Curt,
Your whole process and experimentation of these would make for an interesting AMSAT Journal article. If you have the time, please consider writing it up. Pictures included.
E. Michael McCardel, AA8EM, former KC8YLD Former Senior Editor for AMSAT News Service, Past VP Educational Relations for AMSAT-NA
Have you donated to get your Fox-1 Challenge Coin Yet? http://www.amsat.org/?p=3275
On Tue, Sep 22, 2020 at 8:46 PM Curt Laumann via AMSAT-BB < amsat-bb@amsat.org> wrote:
Hi All,
Over the past few months I've been designing & assembling a few 70 cm Lindenblads. The current version is shown in the attached picture (link below). Arrow shafts are used for parasitic elements. The shafts are bonded in place with fiberglass resin. Rubber end caps (from McMaster) cover the shaft ends.
The notable part of this design is the central structure (supporting parasitic elements) is 3D printed as *one part*. Virtually all of the angles and spacings are achieved in the 3D printing process. After struggling to align and bond various PVC and irrigation parts in other versions, it was a breeze to assemble this design: one nylon machine screw, one nut, four bonding points.
The design could be easily modified to accommodate 0.125 inch diameter parasitic elements as well.
Regards,
Curt / K7ZOO Tucson AZ
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1i2c6T5lZtI00KChbJuyphvvechzBvlNw/view?usp=s...
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership.
Opinions
expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite
program!
Subscription settings: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
-- Chris E. Thompson chrisethompson@gmail.com g0kla@arrl.net
participants (8)
-
Chris Thompson -
Curt Laumann -
E.Mike McCardel -
Fernando Ramirez -
Paul Andrews -
Stefan Wagener -
Steve Kristoff -
Zach Metzinger