3D printed kitcar parts
Discussion
This is my first 3D printed part, so don't expect too much. Only started learning to drive Google Sketchup on Sunday night. Proved it can be done though and have many more parts in the pipeline.
Some photos here:
http://www.robcollingridge.com/400kg/build/entries...
Some photos here:
http://www.robcollingridge.com/400kg/build/entries...
robcollingridge said:
This is my first 3D printed part, so don't expect too much. Only started learning to drive Google Sketchup on Sunday night. Proved it can be done though and have many more parts in the pipeline.
Some photos here:
http://www.robcollingridge.com/400kg/build/entries...
Very nice work Rob and I agree with you that 3D printing will be the future, especially for limited production.Some photos here:
http://www.robcollingridge.com/400kg/build/entries...
Cheers
Italo
something ive been looking at for a while now for my next projet.
have you bought a desktop unit- whats your unit max dimensions? How much plastic does it use in a print - can you shed light on what it would cost to print say a small spoiler? Can you do that sort of size?
I did ask for a quote for a commerical printout of a car so i could use it as a buck for the FG mould - it was over £1.5m!!! I could make some great bucks for that sort of money! Obv it was commercial, and a home desktop would be cheaper...
Deffo the future... just needs some serious development up front, but once it's done you can re-use your drawings - eg mounting points and stuff over and over for different body applications.
Once printing in metal gets cheaper, you can print the chassis bits too... manifolds... pistons...
ooh possibilities!
have you bought a desktop unit- whats your unit max dimensions? How much plastic does it use in a print - can you shed light on what it would cost to print say a small spoiler? Can you do that sort of size?
I did ask for a quote for a commerical printout of a car so i could use it as a buck for the FG mould - it was over £1.5m!!! I could make some great bucks for that sort of money! Obv it was commercial, and a home desktop would be cheaper...
Deffo the future... just needs some serious development up front, but once it's done you can re-use your drawings - eg mounting points and stuff over and over for different body applications.
Once printing in metal gets cheaper, you can print the chassis bits too... manifolds... pistons...
ooh possibilities!
I printed an adaptor plate recently. I needed to make a plate to run a different throttle body on to a manifold, to get it made in billet was going to cost a good couple of hundred pounds...£50 later I had the item printed and works just as well. Just need to be careful when selecting the polymers to ensure they are fuel resistant.
You don't have to buy the printer. There are 3D print bureaux services in the UK now. In the USA, you can take your design to Staples and have it printed out, much like you did with your digital photos.
I was at the 3D print show last year and they were printing in metal. Initially, this was sintered but the quality of materials used has improved in recent times. It is now even possible to 3D print in gold and silver.
The main thing for me is that you can focus on the creative part (the 3D design) and just print stuff rather than spending ages fabricating. You can also make things using this technique that are simply not possible using conventional approaches. It is a cheap way to try things out too. 3D printing is going to allow me to create high quality, bespoke car parts that would be really difficult to do otherwise. When you are building a 'one off' car, then this technology makes a lot of sense and reduces costs and the time required.
Costs are a consideration obviously but, they are falling. The 3D printer that I'm looking at buying is £890 (http://www.cel-robox.com) and can do CNC work with an upgrade too.
My second car part came off the printer today. I've created two bespoke parts with 2 hours of desk (computing) time and 90 minutes of print time. It is only going to get easier and quicker too, as I get more experienced. I've even started trying to 3D model the whole car now :-)
I was at the 3D print show last year and they were printing in metal. Initially, this was sintered but the quality of materials used has improved in recent times. It is now even possible to 3D print in gold and silver.
The main thing for me is that you can focus on the creative part (the 3D design) and just print stuff rather than spending ages fabricating. You can also make things using this technique that are simply not possible using conventional approaches. It is a cheap way to try things out too. 3D printing is going to allow me to create high quality, bespoke car parts that would be really difficult to do otherwise. When you are building a 'one off' car, then this technology makes a lot of sense and reduces costs and the time required.
Costs are a consideration obviously but, they are falling. The 3D printer that I'm looking at buying is £890 (http://www.cel-robox.com) and can do CNC work with an upgrade too.
My second car part came off the printer today. I've created two bespoke parts with 2 hours of desk (computing) time and 90 minutes of print time. It is only going to get easier and quicker too, as I get more experienced. I've even started trying to 3D model the whole car now :-)
craig7l said:
I think I've printed pics before in the ultima forum but 90% of my interior and cockpit were bespoke rapid prototype designed and printed with the bigger parts sourced in Germany.
It's addictive....
Sorry to go completely off-topic... but I was driving behind you today on the A43 between the two roundabouts at towcester... admired the plate It's addictive....
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