3D Printing Of ASA - Melbourne (Aus)

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Andrew_G
Guru

Joined: 18/10/2016
Location: Australia
Posts: 874
Posted: 05:57am 02 Jul 2025      

G'day all,
Can anyone in the Melbourne (Aus) area 3D print reasonable quality with ASA filament?

I have a 3D printer and have been successfully printing good PLA-based stuff.
I need eight high-ish quality items (4 copies of 2 things) printed with ASA filament.
I have the filament and the STLs work fine with PLA but I only get string when I print with ASA.
My printer is 'outside' (an old external WC) and I think the temperature is the main problem. (I can't bring it indoors - divorce is on the cards and I cant wait until summer).

The items are about 100x60x40mm (see below). They will be out in the weather 24x7 and ASA is said to be more UV resistant than PLA. I'd be happy if I got 5 years out of PLA.

Alternatively, has anyone tried a 3D print service that could do ASA (at a sensible price)?

Cheers,

Andrew

They are 60deg chamfers to make 40mm dia door hinges compliant for a swimming pool fence.
PhenixRising
Guru

Joined: 07/11/2023
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 1830
Posted: 07:26am 02 Jul 2025      

Was it Geoff who had tried and was impressed with JLC3DP?
Geoffg

Guru

Joined: 06/06/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 3354
Posted: 10:08am 02 Jul 2025      

https://jlc3dp.com/ claim to do any technology (including printing in metal) and I had a good experience with them.
Andrew_G
Guru

Joined: 18/10/2016
Location: Australia
Posts: 874
Posted: 10:52pm 02 Jul 2025      

Hi Michael and Geoff.
Thanks.

They look interesting. Yes they do ASA; it is white or black. I can spray the pieces grey (to match the 'Shale Grey' aluminium clad doors - Polish "Passivhause" ones).

I'll give them a go and report back.

Cheers,

Andrew
phil99

Guru

Joined: 11/02/2018
Location: Australia
Posts: 3127
Posted: 12:29am 03 Jul 2025      

  Quote  I can spray the pieces
That would protect them from UV so perhaps PLA would be ok. Make a spare set just in case the paint isn't UV proof, or use a thick coat of outdoor house paint.
arrjjay

Newbie

Joined: 06/08/2018
Location: Australia
Posts: 2
Posted: 05:05am 03 Jul 2025      

Andrew,

FWIW
I think you may have 'nailed' it when you mentioned the cool temperature of your printer 'room'.
Is yours one of the enclosed types?

Both ABS and ASA should be printed in an enclosed, heated environment.  The print bed is usually around 90 degrees C with the extruder around 280 Degrees C.  PLA is far less demanding to print with but will often deform in the heat (eg like sitting on your car dashboard under the Australian sun.

Rob
dddns
Guru

Joined: 20/09/2024
Location: Germany
Posts: 816
Posted: 06:23am 03 Jul 2025      

@Andrew,

your part looks like it is mechanically loaded and it's used outside.
A good alternative to print it easy at home is PETG. This is unbreakable and it is absolutely hydrophobic.

UV resistant and does not get brittle nor gets cracks in sunlight
Edited 2025-07-03 16:38 by dddns
PhenixRising
Guru

Joined: 07/11/2023
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 1830
Posted: 07:06am 03 Jul 2025      

  dddns said  @Andrew,

your part looks like it is mechanically loaded and it's used outside.
A good alternative to print it easy at home is PETG. This is unbreakable and it is absolutely hydrophobic.

UV resistant and does not get brittle nor gets cracks in sunlight


I have seen metal forming dies printed with this stuff. Pretty amazing. We have had to pass-up on so many short-run projects due to not being able to justify the cost of steel dies.
Andrew_G
Guru

Joined: 18/10/2016
Location: Australia
Posts: 874
Posted: 12:12pm 03 Jul 2025      

Hello all.
Well; I set up an account and uploaded my two STL files.
Four copies of the two items is priced at Au$137. A bit steep for about $15 worth of filament (that I already have). Well worth it if you don't have a printer - but I do.
(I suspect the rate is higher because I ticked the box to say that they were complex shapes).

I think I'll print some PLA, paint them, and try my hand with ASA in warmer weather.

The items are completely non-load bearing but they do clip onto cylindrical hinges. They will be held in place by silicon glue. They are shaped so that there is very little force on them at all.
They are to provide a 60 degree chamfer to four bulky hinges so they cannot be climbed by a five year old child to access the swimming pool.
In practice the chamfers will never be climbed but, by law, they have to be there.
(we do take the safety aspects seriously)

Thanks for your contributions.

Cheers,

Andrew
twofingers

Guru

Joined: 02/06/2014
Location: Germany
Posts: 1732
Posted: 12:46pm 03 Jul 2025      

Hi Andrew,
for temperature stability, why not try it in PETG, which is relatively easy to print?
Regards
MIchael
Revlac

Guru

Joined: 31/12/2016
Location: Australia
Posts: 1236
Posted: 01:56pm 03 Jul 2025      

Yes PETG is well worth trying, you may even try it with .6mm or .8mm nozzle with 100% infill for good bonding between layers, personal preference, most critical is getting it to stick to the build plate, correct temperature and depending on what print surface you use, plenty of info can be found on this.