Hello from Imperial Beach, California

[WildLinx]

I just ordered a Orion Delta 3D printer after reviewing as much as I could for an entry level printer.
I’m a retired Physicist-Electronics Engineer and I am developing a series of circularly polarized antennas from 400 MHz to 6 GHz. The technology involved is called, “Quadrifilar Helix Antennas with Infinite Baluns”.
These antennas are made using overlapping spirals of very thin (0.047” at 2.4GHz) semi-rigid (copper tube) coaxial cable. The formulas for the shapes are very precise and can require several hours to hand bend and tweak into position.
I have the antennas modeled in SolidWorks 2006 and my first DP project is to make a suitable winding/bending and support jig so as to make more then one of the same design.
Fortunately, the design can be scaled for different frequency bands.
I will need to learn three things about the available plastics. Dielectric properties? Hardness and flexibility? Distortion and warping (new and ageing)?
Has anyone had any experience along these lines? Has anyone tried to use these printed materials for RF strip-line, micro-strip, and patch applications at microwave frequencies?
I would be very interested in hearing from you here in the forum or directly.

[McSlappy]

Welcome!
I wish I could answer your questions about filament but your best bet would be to contact a known manufacturer making high quality filament. I'm not sure who actually manufactures filament in the USA, but they would be able to provide you with the spec sheets for each of their plastics.

[JohnStack]

Welcome - from about 25 miles north of you in Carlsbad!!!

There are some conductive filaments. I saw an article last week ....

https://www.prote.in/en/feed/2012/11/conductive-plastic

[WildLinx]

John
Thanks alot for the info. What they are doing is very interesting. The citations in the paper could prove to be very useful.
I go to north county a lot and always liked having breakfast at Don's Country Kitchen in Carlsbad and walk along the sea wall.
Steve