Heat Sinks for 3D printed Hosts

I just got my 3D printer in the mail. I am far from able to use it yet. I was thinking though, If I wanted to 3d Print some cool hosts; which heatsink would/should I build off of. Which would be the most versatile? I don't want it to heat the plastic. (it should be able to have a normal/adequate duty cycle still)

Hi Trend,
I would use DTR's 35mm cu module, they're cheap and it takes alot of heat to warm them up
Danny

I agree; DTR's 35mm modules are a huge blob of copper just waiting for heat to invade it! Only thing is that you'll have to find a clever way to set it in place, I would use a set-screw if I were you, maybe some e-poxy.

EDIT: you should look into metalfill filament, it's partly copper or bronze so it's a bit better than purely plastic

Yeah, the 35mm modules are probably the only way to go for any diodes that produce any noticeable heat. The plastic otherwise might be too insulating for the usual 12mm modules.

ElectricPlasma and I were disussing some filaments that might be decent for heatsinking, but I'd hesitate to recommend them since they're typically very expensive and might not do that much good. I'm looking around though.

Thanks for the heads up! I appreciate it. I am just now getting into it. I expect there to be a pretty hefty learning curve. I will look into metalfill but I bought a bottom end 3d printer, not sure I can print with that yet.

Rivem said:

ElectricPlasma and I were disussing some filaments that might be decent for heatsinking, but I'd hesitate to recommend them since they're typically very expensive and might not do that much good. I'm looking around though.

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Yep it's quite pricey, as well as the additional rock tumbler needed to bring out the metal which is a bit more expensive than the filament itself. Your printer could possibly do it, it's melting temperature is very close to plastic and even if you need to push your temperature a bit on the extruder it might just be to handle it. Never worked with it as of yet though, only researched.

How much heat can whatever the cheap plastic is take?
If you were going to build a host around that big 35mm sink is it really cost effective? I only ask because I haven't a clue. That sink is pretty heavy. No idea how strong the plastic you use is.
By the way, everytime I see you post I immediately think of your really ingenious light Saber build

Pman said:

How much heat can whatever the cheap plastic is take?
If you were going to build a host around that big 35mm sink is it really cost effective? I only ask because I haven't a clue. That sink is pretty heavy. No idea how strong the plastic you use is.
By the way, everytime I see you post I immediately think of your really ingenious light Saber build

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ABS gets pliable just around 215 F, but PLA gets pliable around 130 F. Both are strong enough that they should hold up to the weight very easily at normal temps. PLA may have issues when heated.

I wouldn't call any 3D printer filaments "cheap" though. They're much stronger and more durable plastics than the majority of consumer plastics you encounter. Most mechanical issues are due to poor design or printing and not the raw material.

Not sure on the cost effectiveness, but the host itself should cost only a few dollars at the most in material. It could easily be less than $1 for something simple. The 35mm module would pretty much all the cost. We'll have to see how DTR prices the 20mm and 25mm modules.

If anybody's interested in talking more about this, ask to join the Host Fabrication Club.

Being that most of my builds are not designed around super-powerful lasers; I don't think I'll be generating a terrible amount of heat. I do plan to experiment though.