It is possible to use an inexpensive PLA printer with sinterable filling that is put in a kiln afterwards, that produces sintered metal parts directly. I think it requires a little hotter temperatures, and there is some shrinkage. It's been a while since I read about it.
https://shop.thevirtualfoundry.com/
Thermal Storage Systems
Re: Thermal Storage Systems
Yeah that's the one that doesn't really convince me as being practical. I've seen some YouTube videos of people using it and it seems finicky.
Re: Thermal Storage Systems
Fastest way to prototype the tesla valve is have the 2d valve cnc plasma cut from steel plate and sandwich it between two full plates. Just use two pins(cnc plasma the holes) to locate the floating pieces of the valve.
You could machine from stock but its far less cost effective and you can have multiple center designs plasma cut at the same time.
Nighthawkinlite proved(imo) that a 2d valve still flows pretty darn good.
You could machine from stock but its far less cost effective and you can have multiple center designs plasma cut at the same time.
Nighthawkinlite proved(imo) that a 2d valve still flows pretty darn good.
Re: Thermal Storage Systems
"Lost PLA" is just like "lost wax" metal casting, not a type of PLA, if there was some confusion there.
I could not figure out a way to make or machine a toroidal Tesla valve any other way than 3D printing, or direct metal casting or both.
Different than the flat version:
viewtopic.php?p=13160#p13160
Apparently Tesla used it on some kind of open vacuum tube to maintain an open air vacuum.