Case study
3D-printed outdoor enclosure: case study
A part intended for long exposure to weather and sun: polymer choice and design aim for UV resistance and stiffness suited to wind and rain.
The initial need
Protect or clad equipment while keeping reliable fixings and long-term durability.
- Context: outdoor install, day/night cycles, UV exposure.
- Problem: avoid rapid ageing typical of poorly suited materials (e.g. PLA for long outdoor life).
- Constraints: humidity, heat in sun, minimum stiffness under moderate wind.
What we did
Material: ASA for better UV / outdoor behaviour than many common FDM filaments; PETG is possible depending on exposure length and appearance needs.
Design: wall thickness and fixings sized to limit warping; drainage and fillets for rain behaviour.
Method: FDM with settings suited to technical materials; dimensional check after build.
Outcome
Part usable in representative outdoor conditions, with behaviour and appearance validated for the project’s expected lifetime.
A similar project?
We can support parts designed for outdoor use.