It has been a while since we posted anything here, but we haven't abandoned the project. In fact, it is going pretty well, and if everything goes as expected, the tank could be finished by the next week (and submit it for Anything goes).

First, I got a 3D printer, a Creality CR-10 from Banggood. The printer is outstanding and the quality of the prints is amazing. I had absolutely no idea about 3D printing and I got it working and printing the same day it arrived.

After a few days of training, I tried to print the tank's cannon. I printed it laying on the bed thinking that the direction of the layers would make the piece stronger, but it wasn't such a good idea. A lot of supports were needed, the interior of the cannon wasn't perfectly round and the support between the laser enclosure and the cannon itself was difficult to remove (there is still a bit of plastic that impede the coil to be in its position.

So  I modified a bit the cannon and printed it. This time vertically. The result was good and it seems to be strong despite the direction of the layers is parallel to the direction of the forces that will act on it. I also used 40% infill which helped a lot.

A comparison of both cannons. No need to say which is which.

Also, changes have been made to the tank. It's 'armor' has got 2 cm higher and it has gained more space at the back. This allows for a better layout of the electronics and the capacitors are now hidden inside the tank. I also modified the other existing parts so now they snap to each other with no need for glue.