Plastic printing?

[marco_1978_spyder]

With the right equipment now, you can "print" items made of plastic now..

On the news I see that it's possible to make things as robust as weapons. What I'd like to know is, if you can make something this strong out of plastic, what are the implications for something like a Sunbird rear tailpanel replacement? If that would be too large for current printer, you could still make it in seamless interlocking sections. maybe 4 smaller pieces. ?

Worth some investigating.. How about printing interior pieces? or emblems like the Rare Side Spyder emblems??

[Stonebird]

I'm with you on this Marco. Been thinking the same thing for a while now. I've also been praying for a Sunbird front spoiler to fall in my lap for years. I don't have a clue on current cost of 3D printing on this scale but I'm sure it will continue to come down.

[waybad]

they are the next big thing, Walmart sells them..
http://www.walmart.com/ip/29416596?wmls ... 96&veh=sem

[76wagon]

That's something I've actually been thinking about doing as well. I've had a few students make 3D printers and CNC routers in the shop before, one group last year actually built one that printed in chocolate. The design part is pretty straightforward, the computer end is what would trip me up I think. I've been told it's pretty simple with the right software though.

I found this kit at buildyourcnc.com that I might look into this winter as a little project to keep me busy. A 3D printer you can mount a dremel to and use as a little CNC router, would be a cool little toy to have
http://buildyourcnc.com/item/cnc-machin ... iteant-FDM

Phill

[zeke]

Interesting section on firearms near the bottom of the page. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_printing

I'd print out some new armrests and a console tray,

[rhyolite]

Just my 2 cents,

I'm a professional 3D designer / modeller/ animator, so if you guys need something 3D modelled you know where to find me

[marco_1978_spyder]

Door handle bezels would probably be the easiest to remake..

IMAGINE THIS... a full dash board "blank" that you can customize with your own gauges / display /gadget's stereo, whatever, and it bolt's in place of the stocker!

Maybe a Rear decklid spoiler ?

And Rhyolite, that's great to know!

[zeke]

Oh yeah, like the custom dash idea Marco but that would require some pretty large equipment $$$ Crowdsourcing?

Rhyolite's Custom Parts - mail him your part and he prints u out a new one and sends it back.

[rhyolite]

Hohohohooooo,

i said i'm a 3d modeller, i can design things NOT print them.
If there is any interest i'm definately willing to look into.
smaller 3d printers are not that expensive, they are based on plastics but
Are limited to a couple of inches. Good enough for emblems and smaller parts but
Not for dashes, spoilers etc.

you could also do alot with paper, cut/fold/glue paper 3d models into shape and
Polyester/fiberglass them. Google for pepakura, you'll get alot of paper figures, but carparts
Is the same procedure. Size is only limited on how big your normal paper printer is
Dashes, spoilers, even hoods could be made with this method, go to a copy shop with the flat
paper models, have them print on life-size scale on thick paper, cut/fold/glue them, fiberglass it
and voila, a complete one-of-a-kind custom part

Because im in Holland i cant do alot for you guys, but if this is something i could help with
Im most willing to do something in return

[BillPappy]

I have a working 3d printer. But it is more of toy than anything useful at this point. Built most the printer myself. http://www.tridprinting.com/ My resolution Is not high enough for anything useful. Only print at a 3X3X3. I have plans to build a much bigger one at some point.
Edit to say I been using http://replicat.org/ Open end software.

[76wagon]

Hey BillPappy, how hard was it getting the computer to talk to the stepper motors on the machine? I've seen the kits on ebay with the motors, drivers and power supply for under $200 such as this one- http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nema-23-Stepper ... 3f151d6f73

I'm HOPING something like that would be pretty straightforward to hook up and get running with the right software on my computer.

That would leave me with the mechanical side of things, which I have no problem with. A project like this would keep me busy on the days that are too cold to go and play with the car, plus I'd have stuff to make on afternoon shift when the shop is empty Don't know how soon I'll be able to start on something like this but any advice or tips you might have would be awesome!

Phill

[BillPappy]

Hey BillPappy, how hard was it getting the computer to talk to the stepper motors on the machine? I've seen the kits on ebay with the motors, drivers and power supply for under $200 such as this one- http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nema-23-Stepper ... 3f151d6f73

I'm HOPING something like that would be pretty straightforward to hook up and get running with the right software on my computer.

That would leave me with the mechanical side of things, which I have no problem with. A project like this would keep me busy on the days that are too cold to go and play with the car, plus I'd have stuff to make on afternoon shift when the shop is empty Don't know how soon I'll be able to start on something like this but any advice or tips you might have would be awesome!

Phill

Phill, Back when I started trying to do this ,It was a real pain.. 3d printing was a new thing. At the most, only things I made was parts for my RC cars. I knew a little about programing. Mostly in PC gaming
Newer proggy and new design of printers are the way to go. Like the delta 3d printer.
Check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbBbbgnwkho I been following this guy and his Videos for a long time. He built his 3d printer And still tuning it to work. I want to build a new printer like a Delta.

[starfire]

Looks like this company has a big 3-d printer. Maybe they would rent it out?

http://www.weather.com/video/3-d-printe ... ever-41754


Looks like they are in Manitoba, any Manitobian members that could check it out?

They could raise funds for the car by selling us parts they made (ie spoilers, etc.) for our cars on the big 3-d printer! It would be a win-win.

[monzabug350]

Ah!! I learned a new word!! "Thingyverse" Chicks outta love that!!