Robotics
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FDM 3D printing has become a cornerstone of robotics innovation, bridging the gap between rapid prototyping and end-use part production. From high school robotics teams crafting competition-ready machines to advanced industrial systems, FDM enables lightweight, customizable, and cost-effective solutions. Whether printing sensor housings for autonomous drones or impact-resistant armor for combat robots, the technology empowers creators to iterate faster, reduce costs, and push the boundaries of robotic design.
Education & Competitions:
FIRST Robotics: Teams 3D print chassis, brackets, and custom mechanisms to meet strict weight limits and design constraints.
Classroom Prototyping: Students print functional gears, mounts, and enclosures to learn robotics fundamentals.
Functional Components:
Electronic Enclosures: Protect circuitry with custom-fit housings that integrate cable routing and heat dissipation.
Mechanical Parts: Gears, joint assemblies, and grippers optimized for strength-to-weight ratios.
Competitive Robotics:
Combat Robots: Projects use impact-resistant armor and energy-absorbing bumpers to dominate competitions.
Drone Frames: Lightweight, aerodynamic designs for agility and endurance.
Polymaker’s engineered filaments address every need in robotics, from industrial-grade composites to vibrant aesthetics.
PA6-CF20: 20% carbon fiber reinforcement for stiffness and heat resistance, ideal for load-bearing joints and motor mounts.
PA12-CF10: Low moisture sensitivity and flexibility for more humid environments.
PA6-GF25: 25% glass fiber for impact-resistant chassis and gear housings.
PPS-CF10: High heat deflection for extreme environments. Also not suceptible to moisture.
Properties: Stretchability, and impact absorption for bumpers, gripper pads, wheels, and shock mounts.
Case Study: Combat robots use PolyFlex™ TPU95 armor to protect electronics while minimizing weight and Wisconsin Robotics uses PolyFlex™ TPU95 by Polymaker for their wheels.
Aesthetic Versatility: Gradient translucency, matte finishes, and glow-in-the-dark effects for team branding or status indicators.
Applications: Custom control panels, LED-lit enclosures, and competition logos.
Properties: Heat deflection and impact resistance for durable camera mounts and sensor housings.
Design: Use CAD software to create weight-optimized parts with lattice infills or snap-fit joints.
Print:
Fiberon™ PA6-CF20: High nozzle and bed temperatures, enclosed chamber.
PolyFlex™ TPU95: Lower nozzle and bed temperatures, slow speeds for layer adhesion.
Post-Process: Anneal PC parts for enhanced heat resistance; sand Panchroma™ surfaces for paint-ready finishes.
FIRST Robotics: Teams 3D print side panels with heat-set inserts to save weight and space.
Death Racers: Polymaker-sponsored competitors rely on TPU95 for flexible armor that absorbs impacts without cracking as well as many other materials for the body - including Panchroma™ colors.
Cost Efficiency: A $50 spool replaces much more expensive CNC-machined parts.
Customization: Modify a gear ratio or gripper design quickly.
Performance: Fiberon™ composites rival aluminum in stiffness-to-weight ratios.
With continuous fiber integration and high-temp composites, FDM will enable more end-use parts. Polymaker’s Fiberon™ and Panchroma™ lines exemplify this shift, offering materials that meet industrial demands while empowering student innovators.
By merging FDM’s accessibility with Polymaker’s material science, robotics is entering an era where every gear, guard, and gripper is limited only by imagination—not manufacturing.
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