I know that PLA will not make it through the summer heat, but let’s test it anyway. I am using the rolling chassis from my earlier test for the PLA test. The test model has four servos, stainless steel shafts (5/16″), and Pink and Red printed PLA parts. The parts are printed using my MOD-T printer.
When I sat it out there at 11:40 this morning, it was only 104F (40C). In direct sunlight, the fake turf is 160 (72C).
I am more interested in how the servos make it through the day. I am also wondering which parts may be a good candidate for PLA.
Result: It took 2.5 hours in the hot sun to melt the rover, where it fell under its weight. When I lifted the dead rover, the tub’s bed deformed quite. I bet I could have easily pushed a hole through it. Every part showed some deformation.
I guess that answered that question—no PLA in the rover.