Anyone had a car part 3D printed?
Discussion
The trouble with 3D printing is that the parts don't tend to last very long. Extrusion printed parts are full of tiny voids that lead to cracks in the part over time. SLA models aren't great if exposed to UV light. SLS parts absorb moisture and warp. Great process for design validation prototypes but not so useful at the moment for in-service parts. Give it a few years though and it will be a different story.
Koenigsegg made a 3D printed turbo for one of there cars recently.
www.gizmodo.com.au/2014/05/the-koenigsegg-one1s-3d...
Apparently the exhaust system and some engine internals were made using the same method, as well as certain exterior panels.
www.gizmodo.com.au/2014/05/the-koenigsegg-one1s-3d...
Apparently the exhaust system and some engine internals were made using the same method, as well as certain exterior panels.
I get SLA car parts made all the time for various projects at work. Saves waiting for a supplier to mess around tooling stuff up.
I wouldn't bother using a part made this way for anythin long term. 3D printed parts have a nasty cheap feel and look rubbish generally!
As an idea, we've made whole lamp housings in SLA for studies before now, painted up they look Ok from afar but close up you can easily tell it's prototype.
I wouldn't bother using a part made this way for anythin long term. 3D printed parts have a nasty cheap feel and look rubbish generally!
As an idea, we've made whole lamp housings in SLA for studies before now, painted up they look Ok from afar but close up you can easily tell it's prototype.
I think this part looks alright, that's what's made the impression on me.
They dipped it in some kind of acid bath so it has a smooth surface not the usual notchy texture of 3D printed plastic parts. I think it might have been polished too, it's not shiny but it's very smooth.
It feels cheap as hell in the hand right enough!
They dipped it in some kind of acid bath so it has a smooth surface not the usual notchy texture of 3D printed plastic parts. I think it might have been polished too, it's not shiny but it's very smooth.
It feels cheap as hell in the hand right enough!
ShaunTheSheep said:
Thats a better finish than most i've seen. I see paint so i guess extensive hand finishing? Either way, it looks good.
Only the letters were printed. Rattle canned red, stuck on a ground off original, then clear laquered. So far it's looking better than the rest of the paint that surrounds it 
lufbramatt said:
The trouble with 3D printing is that the parts don't tend to last very long. Extrusion printed parts are full of tiny voids that lead to cracks in the part over time. SLA models aren't great if exposed to UV light. SLS parts absorb moisture and warp. Great process for design validation prototypes but not so useful at the moment for in-service parts. Give it a few years though and it will be a different story.
Companies like Renishaw are developing techniques using metal powders for 3D printing metal objects. Modelled and printed myself a replacement dash panel to fill a hole, worked nicely, over time (couple of weeks in summer) the heat cycling meant it warped a bit, although it was slightly under stress when installed which I think had a lot to do with it, as similar 'control' pieces in the car didn't warp...
Effectively the heat cycles meant it was formed into the new 'stressed' shape, until ultimately there was no stress there any more, meaning it was no longer supporting itself in position
Effectively the heat cycles meant it was formed into the new 'stressed' shape, until ultimately there was no stress there any more, meaning it was no longer supporting itself in position
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