3D Printed Climbing Holds - Strength Tested

Shane F wrote:

Where the PU holds breaking in a similar manner as the 3D printed holds? Did you think of testing the printed holds with the print layers perpendicular to the mounting surface and the ground? It seems like that is a layer orientation that you missed. It would require a lot more supports than the other two orientations, however.

The PU holds sometimes broke by snapping in half like the 3D printed holds and sometimes broke in a more ductile fashion with the bolt slowly pulling out of the back of the hold.

I tested both principle print orientations: printing the holds horizontally and vertically, i.e., with layer lines 90 degrees different from each other. You can see my results in the above table I pasted. The horizontally printed holds were much stronger.

Kyle O wrote:

The PU holds sometimes broke by snapping in half like the 3D printed holds and sometimes broke in a more ductile fashion with the bolt slowly pulling out of the back of the hold.

I tested both principle print orientations: printing the holds horizontally and vertically, i.e., with layer lines 90 degrees different from each other. You can see my results in the above table I pasted. The horizontally printed holds were much stronger.

I am curious about the 3rd print orientation? To attempt to be clear, you printed and tested in the XY and XZ planes, what about the YZ plane? This would put the loading from the "hand" and from the wall at 90 degrees to the print layers. As you did it, and correct me if I am misinterpreting things, the loading from the "hand" is either in plane or normal to the print layers.

Shane F wrote:

I am curious about the 3rd print orientation? To attempt to be clear, you printed and tested in the XY and XZ planes, what about the YZ plane? This would put the loading from the "hand" and from the wall at 90 degrees to the print layers. As you did it, and correct me if I am misinterpreting things, the loading from the "hand" is either in plane or normal to the print layers.

There are many studies out there about the best orientation of layer lines in a 3D printed part to maximize part strength. My experiment with climbing holds is no different. In short, if the force is trying to pry layer lines apart = weak. Force going along layer lines = strong. I tested both a weak and strong orientation.

Trying convince my school to let me install some 3D printed holds in our gym. Do you have a link or anything to the paper/study you wrote that I would be able to show them. That would be really really helpful. Thanks for your effort in this area, I wasn't looking forward to putting a bunch of holds in our Instron.

Anthony Ray wrote:

Trying convince my school to let me install some 3D printed holds in our gym. Do you have a link or anything to the paper/study you wrote that I would be able to show them. That would be really really helpful. Thanks for your effort in this area, I wasn't looking forward to putting a bunch of holds in our Instron.

I can email you the paper.

Kyle O wrote:

I can email you the paper.

I'd be interested too. Thanks!