Brass - dimensional tolerances for machine parts?

#1

I am excited to browse your website and I am close to placing an order.

I make radio controlled tractors in scale 1:16.

Normally I make most of the parts on manual and CNC machines, but now I have some plans for parts that would require too many operations on this kind of production machines.

My question is, if I want mechanical parts to fit to each other like holes, slots and so on, would you suggest me to go 0.1mm under and then do mechanical post processing afterwards?

I want to make some parts in brass, with a number of holes, typically around Ø0,8 - 3mm. With a tolerance like H7.

Do you generally have any recommendations to this material for mechanical components?

Thank you very much for your time

#2

Dear akolpen,

Thanks for your question.
Seems to be an interesting project you are having !

To answer to your question :
The offered brass isn’t really meant for technical applications.
The specs can be found here : https://i.materialise.com/en/3d-printing-materials/brass
The accuracy is rather poor for the dimensions you are requesting.
Of course you could always try to give it a shot.

regards,
Wim

#3

Hello Wim

Thank a lot for your reply.

I’ve been browsing around finding that I should probably scale my parts up 2% to allow for the shrinkage factor.

I would do that on your ordering page, right? Scale 102%?

Is that your recomandation too?

Thanks in advance.

regards
Anders Kolpen

#4

Dear Anders,

are you talking about brass or about steel ?
For brass, you do not need to compensate for the shrinkage because the shrinkage is neglectable.
For steel, however, compensation is needed.

tx,
Wim

#5

Hello Wim

Thanks for your reply.

I was talking about brass :point_up:

I took your words on this topic and made an order.
However, I did scale it 1% just in case. It is easier to remove later than add… :slight_smile:

So I hope the shrinkage is none or less than one… :smiley:

I look forward to see my first parts!

/Anders Kolpen

#6

Hello Anders,

I am interested in answers to the same questions you have. Please post here how the tolerances on your parts came out once you receive them, compared to the design dimensions.

David

#7

Hello David

I’ve had a few parts made in brass for functional scale models.

I’ve scaled the parts 1% up (101%) to compensate for the shrinkage and they just fits perfectly.