First Orca build

Traveler_OG

Hello everyone, im starting an orca build and trying to decide on filament type. Im torn between Polylite pla pro or Siraya tech PET-CF. Ive never printed with the PET-CF but im fairly sure i can figure it out. Its not much more per roll. How many rolls of filament should i expect to use for an orca build?

Brandong3125

I personally dont like PLA for these builds because i want to build a firearm that i feel will last a good amount of time. Just alot of work to build an Orca out of PLA for it to wear out super fast. At very least i would say PET-GF or PET-CF for the Orca build.

That being said, its all up to your limitations. What type of printer are you running? I run PET-CF on my Bambu x1c but i have full panda updated extruder and hot end and ruby tip nozzle, plus i have an insulated chamber and active heating that can reach 60c. I also dry my filament and always keep it in dry storage. If i print PA, PPA, or any nylon. I am also actively drying my filament while it prints. Ive taken big steps to be able to print some of these more advanced materials, so im not 100% sure of the long term success of prints in these materials without some of these. I definitely dont recommend printing any nylon without active heating and vigorously drying your material.

I dont really think chamber heating is needed for PET, i know a enclosed chamber will really help especially considering layer adhesion is super important for these prints. But im curious on your print setup and can help you come to a decision. You could always print some test PET parts, anneal them, and done some stress testing by throwing them on the ground lol. But worst case, use some high quality PLA-CF.

Brandong3125

I also want to point out, the Orca kit barrel mounts are printed out of PET-CF usually. Which isnt usually a problem, but when you shoot the orca like me, like 100+ rounds back to back in just a few min. Or even firing it super safe. You going to possibly run into shrinkage.

So if the rest of the gun is printed out of the same or even a lesser material. You will just have to go a little easier on it.

It is insanely impressive this gun that Hoffman has designed. But material limitations will always be there.

Traveler_OG

Brandong3125 Thanks for the reply! I'm printing with a P2S. I decided to go with pla from polymaker for this first iteration. Finished up the lower and it looks great. I started the upper yesterday but stopped it at like 60 percent because the built in supports were messed up. Idk why but it seems like the printer has a hard time with them since they are basically one wall. Also i tried running the bcg thru the upper and it was very tight. Is that normal? I expect to have to do some post processing but it just seemed really tight.

Brandong3125

Traveler_OG
Awesome! Youll have to post a picture of it once you got it all done.
You could try running some tree support, but youd have to post a photo of what exactly what was going on so i fully understand.

Are far as the tight bcg. I think that could be pretty normal. I printed in PPA-CF, so i kinda expected mine to be tight due to it just being harder to print tight tolerances with these more advanced materials. But with PLA i am kinda surprised. You will want to make sure your printer is in tip top shape. You want to make sure your belts are tight and your bed is leveled really well before each print. Youll want to make sure you extrusion and volumetric speed is correct. Youll want to make sure your printing at the right temp and not oozing too much. Youll want to make sure your cooling is correct and your supports are good enough so you dont get drooping or any warping.

All these things factor into how well your printer prints and how tight your tolerances are. If you had some support issues with that upper and/ or stopped it mid way. That could be the reason it was tight, maybe there is some warping.

But at the end of the day if your willing to get some sandpaper and files and make it work/ fit. Youll be able to figure it out. I was sanding and filing for like 2 days checking fitment every so often until i got it all to fit and run smooth. And then after shooting it, it even got a little better.

Hope this helps, and excited to see your build once its complete.