The 3D Printer Thread

[Big Rig]

Big Rig said:

Ordered this, will be here monday.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Creality-Upgraded-Motherb...

Was on my doorstep at 3pm today. Sometimes Amazon prime astounds me.

[Crafty_]

Few assembly videos, there are loads of others

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6cqQZTc-4Q

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gokN9xNG94U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTN6jtB5mqk

If you are using PLA I use 200/60 temperatures, set the prepare to preheat and then print.

Bed levelling - this is probably the most important thing to get right. To make it easier, adjust the Z stop switch so you have plenty of movement in the bed adjusters. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHP2DfRl-GQ

[Big Rig]

Crafty_ said:

Few assembly videos, there are loads of others

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6cqQZTc-4Q

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gokN9xNG94U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTN6jtB5mqk

If you are using PLA I use 200/60 temperatures, set the prepare to preheat and then print.

Bed levelling - this is probably the most important thing to get right. To make it easier, adjust the Z stop switch so you have plenty of movement in the bed adjusters. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHP2DfRl-GQ

Thank you. Have it built, will set the bed up etc tomorrow

[Big Rig]

Had a couple of flat spots in the bed rail, adjusting the eccentric wheels seems to have made it nice and smooth. Just wondering how high I should set my Z axis stop switch? Once I've done that I've got some better bed springs to fit, and then I'll level it and try a benchy.

[bryn_p]

Evening all,

Has anyone here had any success 3D printing car parts?

I contacted a few companies to see if they could make new fog light surrounds for my Clio V6 but to no avail. Given what I've seen being created this way it seems it should be very possible although I know nothing about 3D printing so there may be very obvious reasons why it can't be done that are not obvious to me!

[Crafty_]

Have you got a picture of one ?

you'd have to consider the material. PLA is common but is biodegradable and not UV resistant.

I suppose ABS would be the best thing, but I think PETG is ok in sunight too.

You could try some of the sites mentioned in this thread, you should be able to order a print from them but you will need an STL file - so you need a 3D design for the part, then use a CAD package to export it to STL.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[devnull]

bryn_p said:

Evening all,

Has anyone here had any success 3D printing car parts?

I contacted a few companies to see if they could make new fog light surrounds for my Clio V6 but to no avail. Given what I've seen being created this way it seems it should be very possible although I know nothing about 3D printing so there may be very obvious reasons why it can't be done that are not obvious to me!

Its not impossible, but the filament is pricey https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCqwA1h3JV4

[paulrockliffe]

The other option is to 3D print the mould for a fibre-glass part.

[Crafty_]

He's using ASA because of the temperature requirement, I would suggest a fog light surround wouldn't need that, but sure ASA is an option.

[Merry]

I wonder if it's more an issue of finish, rather than material properties?

What colour of the surrounds usually? Chrome?

[bryn_p]

Thanks for the advice gents.

Images below...









When they were available new they were outrageously expensive from Renault so cost is not to much of an issue if they can be reproduced.

[Caddyshack]

bryn_p said:

Thanks for the advice gents.

Images below...









When they were available new they were outrageously expensive from Renault so cost is not to much of an issue if they can be reproduced.

Get a 3d scanning company to scan them for you and creat a file...anyone can print them then, you could get a company to print a run of the. Or make your own.

[bryn_p]

Thanks again, can you recommend any 3D scanning companies?

[Caddyshack]

bryn_p said:

Thanks again, can you recommend any 3D scanning companies?

I have one on my notice board at work that someone I know used who sells a lot of printed stuff...will try and post it up tomorrow. I am going to use them to copy some rare bike parts to print.

[Bodo]

Caddyshack said:

bryn_p said:

Thanks for the advice gents.

Images below...

...


...

When they were available new they were outrageously expensive from Renault so cost is not to much of an issue if they can be reproduced.

Get a 3d scanning company to scan them for you and creat a file...anyone can print them then, you could get a company to print a run of the. Or make your own.

This is not an easy FDM job; neither is the reproduction of the geometry. A pair of these with data processing is north of £1k on an SLM machine.

[ARHarh]

Been years since I spoke to these guys but they always talked a good talk. May be worth a try https://www.or3d.co.uk/

[bryn_p]

Bodo said:

This is not an easy FDM job; neither is the reproduction of the geometry. A pair of these with data processing is north of £1k on an SLM machine.

Thanks, £1k would be ok if it's a choice between having new ones or not. Especially if I could do a few sets any maybe recoup some expenditure

I will try the OR3D guys thanks

[ReverendCounter]

bryn_p the way I would approach this would be something like this:

- decide if the cost to have these made is worthwhile (ie, ultimately getting a number of them made + selling them to recoup costs)
- that means 3D scanning cost + clean up costs to get the file ready to print
- get print quotes
- find out if there's a market at the price you want to sell at in order to recoup your outlay
- find out how many orders you're likely to take

Finding someone with a decent printer is the easy part, its whether the scanning+print costs will be too high to make the project worthwhile.

I've removed a link to a particular scanner, seems the results are lacking.

Edited by ReverendCounter on Wednesday 3rd February 16:55

[bryn_p]

Thanks again for the all the advice.

OR3D have been extremely helpful but the cost of getting some CAD files useable for manufacture is £2k plus VAT which is obviously quite a lot.

However, as the parts cost over £300 per side originally and there are none available any more, it's possible I could sell them for £600 per pair.

So now it comes down to manufacturing cost

[paulrockliffe]

bryn_p said:

the cost of getting some CAD files useable for manufacture is £2k plus VAT which is obviously quite a lot.

Assuming you have one to measure, it doesn't look that complicated to get into Fusion 360. I mean I can see someone charging you that for the work, but it also doesn't look so hard that you couldn't do it by measuring rather than scanning.