First components for the Stratos
I would like to use ABS for the main body, and this will be a challenge as it is a difficult material to print. ABS doesn't adhere at all to Blue tape, like I have used successfully with PLA, or the glass bed and is generally just hard work to print with. So much so that it is becoming increasingly unpopular in the 3D Printing world, with most manufactures saying their printers are "not optimised for ABS" (i.e. the prints lift off the bed). Comparing the cost of PLA and ABS material on eBay, for example, also shows which one is more popular. Although it has been a race to the bottom with both plastics, with the prices rapidly dropping with the expansion of the industry; the price of PLA has plateaued, whilst ABS continues to drop, and at present is about £10 cheaper then PLA.
For the few die hard 3D Printers who fight with ABS, the method seems to use a heated bed at a scorching 100-110°C. Although, I have seen the use of water soluble glues, Cubify use this method with their printers. However, getting a consistent adhesion isn't easy, and the base of the prints have a less then desirable finish/texture. I have a few ideas of my own to improve ABS printing, and will post about them later.
