[3dem] [EXTERNAL] Re: 3D printing for Clipping station

[Bullitt, Esther]

Hi Bob,

A collaborator 3D printed this grid transfer tray (see photo attached), from PLA plastic, and it has worked fine in LN2 for the past 9 years.
It is a little less than 3” across.

Good luck with it,
Esther[cid:6CE2B200-6129-4BA2-885C-AFB889CBE817]

On Apr 17, 2023, at 6:10 PM, Grassucci, Robert <rg2502 at cumc.columbia.edu<mailto:rg2502 at cumc.columbia.edu>> wrote:

Thanks Farzad,
Machining seems to be the longest lasting option but as you say the fastest solution is just putting the metal part into a styrofoam box.
Bob
________________________________
From: Farzad <farzaad at gmail.com<mailto:farzaad at gmail.com>>
Sent: Monday, April 17, 2023 6:06 PM
To: Grassucci, Robert <rg2502 at cumc.columbia.edu<mailto:rg2502 at cumc.columbia.edu>>
Cc: 3DEM List (3dem at ncmir.ucsd.edu<mailto:3dem at ncmir.ucsd.edu>) <3dem at ncmir.ucsd.edu<mailto:3dem at ncmir.ucsd.edu>>; cryoem <cryoem at cumc.columbia.edu<mailto:cryoem at cumc.columbia.edu>>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: [3dem] 3D printing for Clipping station

Dear Robert,

First of all, I am not sure if 3D printing works fine and if the part survives for a long time in harsh thermal cycling between LN2 and room temperatures, especially with normal filaments injection (FDM) 3D printers.

Anyways, as a materials scientist (formerly an expert in materials selection and now working as a cryoEM lab manager), I would definitely suggest using polyamide (Nylon) filaments for printing cryogenic parts in FDM printers. Normal PLA and ABS filaments won't work.


If you like to have the base in its original shape, I would suggest ordering it to a machining shop instead of printing it. The recommend materials are POM, PA or PC.

On the other hand, why do you want to make it entirely? If the metal parts are still fine, you need just a base to hold it. You can fit the metal mechanism and the fabricated base in any foam compartment like cheap styrofoam boxes of an appropriate size. We use a primitive white foam box for loading our JEOL for ages... In this case, you could mill that part out of polyacetal (aka POM or polyoxymethylene or under the commercial name of Delrin) which is the cheapest option for a polymer at LN2 service. I guess the original box is also made of PIM.  I would recommend polyamide, though.


Best regards,

Dr. Farzad Hamdi,
Scientist Fellow at AG Kastritis
MLU, Halle

On Mon, Apr 17, 2023, 22:39 Grassucci, Robert <rg2502 at cumc.columbia.edu<mailto:rg2502 at cumc.columbia.edu>> wrote:
Hi All,
Does anyone have a file for 3D printing the plastic liner for the TFS clipping station?  Ours is cracked so I am looking to replace it.  Also which material is recommended to use?  Thank you.
Bob
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