The Truth About Toroidal Propellers and FDM Printing

TLDRToroidal propellers printed with FDM technology do not outperform off-the-shelf propellers due to surface finish and performance limitations.

Key insights

💡FDM printed propellers are not as efficient as traditional injection-molded propellers.

🧩Toroidal propellers offer reduced noise but do not enhance overall performance.

🔄SLS printing can produce smoother propellers compared to FDM printing.

🏗️Formlabs offers SLS printing, which provides stronger propellers without post-processing.

Achieving high-performance propellers with FDM printing requires extensive post-processing and sanding.

Q&A

Are toroidal propellers more efficient than traditional propellers?

No, toroidal propellers do not offer higher efficiency, but they can reduce audible noise.

Can FDM printed propellers match the performance of injection-molded propellers?

FDM printed propellers require extensive post-processing and do not match the performance of professional propellers.

What is SLS printing and how does it improve propeller performance?

SLS printing uses a laser to fuse plastic powder particles, resulting in stronger propellers without the need for post-processing.

Can toroidal propellers be printed using FDM technology?

Yes, toroidal propellers can be printed using FDM technology, but achieving high-quality performance requires significant post-processing and surface finishing.

What are the advantages of using Formlabs for SLS printing?

Formlabs offers SLS printing services that provide smoother and stronger propellers, saving time on post-processing and ensuring optimal performance.

Timestamped Summary

03:14Testing toroidal propellers printed with SLS technology for potential performance benefits.

07:18Comparing the quality and performance of FDM printed propellers to injection-molded propellers.

09:23Observing the vibration and efficiency of propellers during testing.

10:32Recording the presence of tip vortices and their effect on propeller performance.