Discussion
Just a thought.
I have a small automotive 12v coolant circulation pump. The plastic end cap has hairline cracks in it, a new pump is circa £250. A perfect job for a 3d printer, right?
Where would I go to find someone who can produce me a part, accurately & economically so I can repair the pump?
Or is just pie in sky for another few years?
I have a small automotive 12v coolant circulation pump. The plastic end cap has hairline cracks in it, a new pump is circa £250. A perfect job for a 3d printer, right?
Where would I go to find someone who can produce me a part, accurately & economically so I can repair the pump?
Or is just pie in sky for another few years?
Totally do-able. No problems at all. But you will either need to create a cad drawing of the part or pay someone to do that.
I am not sure an extruded part would be good enough, so you might need to go down an SLS type system (laser sintered powder). I would imagine that all in, it might cost up to £100 if you paid commercial rate on all the steps required if you went sintered.
If you found someone (a hobby type person) with a filament printer (extruder type), they might take it on for beer money.
I am not sure an extruded part would be good enough, so you might need to go down an SLS type system (laser sintered powder). I would imagine that all in, it might cost up to £100 if you paid commercial rate on all the steps required if you went sintered.
If you found someone (a hobby type person) with a filament printer (extruder type), they might take it on for beer money.
Skodasupercar said:
Totally do-able. No problems at all. But you will either need to create a cad drawing of the part or pay someone to do that.
I am not sure an extruded part would be good enough, so you might need to go down an SLS type system (laser sintered powder). I would imagine that all in, it might cost up to £100 if you paid commercial rate on all the steps required if you went sintered.
If you found someone (a hobby type person) with a filament printer (extruder type), they might take it on for beer money.
Sounds interesting. I'm in Warwickshire, anyone know who I might talk to?I am not sure an extruded part would be good enough, so you might need to go down an SLS type system (laser sintered powder). I would imagine that all in, it might cost up to £100 if you paid commercial rate on all the steps required if you went sintered.
If you found someone (a hobby type person) with a filament printer (extruder type), they might take it on for beer money.
Your problem is going to be getting the appropriate material for the purpose. I used to design cooling systems for engines - typically max temp 120C with peak pressures of 180kPa. To combat those you'll need and engineering plastic and I'm not up to date enough on additive manufacturing (the real name of 3D printing) to know what's available. Typical SLA is no use but SLS might be better. I made some prototype radiator end tanks out of poly carbonate but they could only run at ambient temps before cracking.
bucksmanuk said:
Or find yourself a mechanical engineer who has just bought one and will be setting it up in the next few weeks….
BUT
Coolant pump for an engine?
100 °C?
3d printer?
Err no
Unless there’s some new materials on the market that I don’t know about.
It's not the main engine pump, just a heater core recirculation pump, but a leak is still bad news. BUT
Coolant pump for an engine?
100 °C?
3d printer?
Err no
Unless there’s some new materials on the market that I don’t know about.
It was just one of those random Sunday night "I wonder" thoughts.
I think the hassle, compromised reliability, awkward inaccessible position, make it a non-starter. The old pump managed 22yrs so a new one is in order.
PositronicRay said:
It's not the main engine pump, just a heater core recirculation pump, but a leak is still bad news.
It was just one of those random Sunday night "I wonder" thoughts.
I think the hassle, compromised reliability, awkward inaccessible position, make it a non-starter. The old pump managed 22yrs so a new one is in order.
Sounds like covering the cracks with a blob of araldite putty would be worth a try.It was just one of those random Sunday night "I wonder" thoughts.
I think the hassle, compromised reliability, awkward inaccessible position, make it a non-starter. The old pump managed 22yrs so a new one is in order.
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