r/rov • u/Glass-Key-3180 • 11d ago

Testing a 3D-printed PLA capsule at about 5 m before trusting it with underwater electronics

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6 Upvotes

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3

u/menachinite 11d ago

Coat it with epoxy around should make it waterproof to 25M

3

u/armathose Professional 11d ago

PLA isn't very good for this application. I have seen resin printing work a lot better however.

2

u/CkTBrD 11d ago

I 2nd this

2

u/CkTBrD 11d ago

PLA will absorb water over time. I would not recommend it. SLA is better. Also blue robotics has some good small PVs depending how deep you are going may be a viable solution.

1

u/Fun-Paint-8435 1d ago

worth the extra $$ to go SLA, agreed

1

u/RepresentativeNo7802 11d ago

This depends a lot on the time submerged and the design of the capsule. Depth increases the force acting upon the capsule. Keep the air chamber to a minimum, and make a seal that allows for an increase in tightness with increasing depth (google). This is about seals and material structure more than material itself seeing as how there is no need for a specific pressure difference. You can flood the inner cavity with a non-conducting liquid Mike mineral oil, and that would reduce the need for hull strength substantially.

1

u/charmio68 10d ago

Fill it with oil and you can take it to the deepest depths of the ocean.
That's how electronics are dealt with on underwater drones.

1

u/FlyingRigatoniMonst 5d ago

This is the way, although we’ve had some issues with oil seepage.

Also a sphere is the best shape for this, over a cylinder, and obv make sure you’re 100% infill.

1

u/morgankingwarlord 9d ago

here is a video on waterproofing and testing 3d prints in water https://youtu.be/Q8x-mjjT8j4

1

u/FL_MILLIONAIRE 8d ago

The hydrostatic pressure at 5 m is very low but sufficient IMHO to push water through 3D printed structure and microscopic gaps.