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Hi all,

I’m a researcher working on large predator conservation in Africa.

One of the projects I’m involved in is looking at building low-cost tracking collars that can be used to track the movements of conflict animals and trigger deterrents when they get close to livestock areas.

We want to make the units as low-cost and easy to build as possible. So, we’re looking into 3D printing the housings that will hold the batteries and tracking tags. However, one of our main concerns is that animals might bite collars when playing/fighting and so compartments would need to stand up to bites of around 700 psi.

I was wondering whether anyone had any recommendations for materials that could withstand the above?

I’ve done some research and ABS, PolyCarbonate, Carbon-Fibre and Nylon are all referred to as strong, but would they be pierced by a leopard bite (for example, when the materials had walls 5 mm thick)?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Cheers,

Kas

1 Like
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Hi Kasim, thanks for getting in touch. I’ll share your post on our social channels in the hopes someone has a clear answer. Great question, sounds like an amazing project.

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If the walls were 5mm thick and 100% infill then they should withstand it. I’ve put taulmans 910 through some crazy forces and as long as the print shop keeps their nylon bone dry when printing then it should be fine.

Would bother with ABS. The layer adhesion is nowhere near that of nylon.

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I think you are on the right track for materials but the design is going to be key. I would approach this from an engineering standpoint.

What is going to be the best shape? Will it work with the collar and still hold the parts?

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Hi,

Great - thanks for your message.

Will look into different nylon filaments in more detail.

Cheers,

Kas

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Great - thanks a lot for that.

I look forward to hearing if you get any answers.

Cheers,

Kas

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What a great application!

Your materials research is definitely on the right track, I wouldn’t bother with ABS or carbon fiber filled filament, in my experience the carbon affects the layer adhesion too much. Although if you found a hub with a Markforged printer then that can do continuous fibers inside nylon that would be about as tough as you can get.

We always recommend polycarbonate for high strength applications, it flexes less than nylon which may protect your components better.

It is surprisingly strong but no one can say with certainty if they will work without tests, i’ve only ever done tensile tests of printed parts, but we do have access to a machine that could do pressure tests too which might be worthwhile.

As has already been said the design will make a big difference too, surprisingly thin ribs can make a big difference when place well for example.

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Hi,

Thanks for your message and advice.

Totally agree that the design is going to be key. I’ve been creating the compartments in SolidWorks and have a design (similar to commercial collars) that works with the collar and holds the part. I’ve started with FEA simulations and once I’ve got the material sorted will work on further optimisation of the part.

Cheers again,

K.

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Hi,

Great - thanks for the advice.

I’ll look into both Nylon and PC in a bit more detail. Can you tell me, is there a big difference in material properties when getting filaments from different manufacturers? If so, are there particular Nylon and PC brands that you would recommend for the application?

Cheers,

K

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One thing to think of which may not have been brought up is using a material that is non-toxic if ingested or cause any kind of reaction with the animals skin.

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There definitely are some differences, not sure if they’re enough to matter. For nylon, taulman 3D have a well respected range and good information about the exact specs. For polycarbonate, in its pure form it is hard to print and requires a nozzle that can get to 300 degrees and a heated chamber, Polymaker have a range specially formulated filaments that are great and easier to print. Presumably this has some impact on the mechanical properties but I have never checked in detail - would be interested to know though!

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Nylon reinforced with Kevlar should stand up to these requirements. You can send me details to ken@veloforge.com and I can give you a more definitive answer.

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Hi Ken,

Thanks for your message. Will send you an email over the next couple of days to discuss further.

Thanks,

K.