PPPL-5057


<p><strong>The Suitability of 3D Printed Plastic Parts for Laboratory Use</strong></p>

<p>
<b>Authors:</b> Andrew P. Zwicker, Josh Bloom, Robert Albertson, and Sophia Gershman</p>

<p><b>Abstract:</b> 3D printing has become popular for a variety of users, from industrial to the home hobbyist, to scientists and engineers interested in producing their own laboratory equipment. In order to determine the suitability of 3D printed parts for our plasma physics laboratory, we measured the accuracy, strength, vacuum compatibility, and electrical properties of pieces printed in plastic. The flexibility of rapidly creating custom parts has led to the 3D printer becoming an invaluable resource in our laboratory and is equally suitable for producing equipment for advanced undergraduate laboratories.<br>
  
  _________________________________________________________________________________________________
  <br>
  <br>
  <b>Published in: </b>AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICS, <b>83</b>:3, 281-285
  <br /><br />Published: MAR 2015<br>
  <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1119/1.4900746">http://dx.doi.org/10.1119/1.4900746</a>
  
  _________________________________________________________________________________________________
  <br><br>
  <a href="PPPL-5057.pdf"><b>Download PPPL-5057</b></a> (pdf 2.4 MB / 13pp)
  <br>
  _________________________________________________________________________________________________</p>