3D printing parts

[4WDrifter]

Too big a file for the picture. Make it smaller ie fewer kB

[Greg_S]

for material advice i'd have a chat to Error404

[sal_s2]

I have a centre gauge holder that looks similar to the picture you posted if you want to copy it?

[HPmuirt]

Great idea. Another one to consider is the little gears for the odometer that always break too

Almost certainly doable.

I recently printed a speedo repair brace for a VW camper as the spring tension deforms the old plastic mounts and allows the cogs to move away from the worm drive. I also printed a couple of replacements cogs as a test and they came out quite well but I used PLA. Again, I suspect Nylon rather than CF reinforced plastics would be more suitable as the CF is abrasive so I really need to get on and order some Nylon.

Are there any material scientists on the forum who could advise on a per part basis?

Cheers n
Si

[Greg_S]

Great idea. Another one to consider is the little gears for the odometer that always break too

[Tractor Dave]

Tapatalk is the easy way to upload pics from your phone

[HPmuirt]

P.S. Why do I get the following error when trying to add an image to a new post....

"Upload failed due to failure writing temporary file."

Cheers n tears
Si

[HPmuirt]

Would it be possible to print out hose bracket (035 121 093H). It is the one which is mounted in the subframe and holds hose between main radiator and water coolant reservoir.

Again that is a functional part, so we need to understand the forces. My guess is that it will be under stresses in 2 directions, one end being squeezed by the chassis and the other being stretched by the hose.

However, with this one I think I could print it, but probably not in PLA (which is all I have left at the moment and supplies are current very short with prices more than doubling ) so we need to work out which material to use as I am not a materials scientist.

I have been exploring carbon fibre reinforced materials which are much stronger but are more brittle than the non-reinforced version and this feels like it needs more flex, not less so maybe Nylon?

Summary: This is certainly something to add to the worth a try list when materials start shipping again but I would need to see one to copy.

Cheers n
Si

[JLTemp]

I've printed a few different things. A centre vent flap, tail light cover screw clip things and like you centre console parts. It's great and handy for all the little things that break and you can never find replacements.

[filip.krticka]

Would it be possible to print out hose bracket (035 121 093H). It is the one which is mounted in the subframe and holds hose between main radiator and water coolant reservoir.

[HPmuirt]

Hows it going! This is looking seriously cool...will watch with interest

Hey David, well I'm still alive thanks (that has been my standard answer since I hit middle age, but it seems to be in poor taste in the current climate so please no one take offense ). How's life with you?

Not sure about the cool side as I have not seen many empty filament spools mixed in with the cigarette ends and condoms at the local park where the cool kids hang out, but is is great fun and damn rewarding watching your idea grow on the build plate.....I know, I'm a sad geek

Tried to post some more designs but nowt will upload tonight

Cheers n
Si

[HPmuirt]

I really need 10 of the Rs2 Bodystyling Sill big round turning clip retainers that are about 4cm in width. Are these NLA, or what would it cost to make some up buddy?

Not sure what those are or look like but if they are under tension or structural, then having them machined in Nylon at a local machine shop might be better than 3D printing as orientation of the layers is key - the parts are far weaker under tension in the layer direction than moulded/machined parts. I tried making a boot clip for the S2 but printed it in the wrong orientation and it lasted 2 minutes That said, I made a luggage strap for the A5 and that is working very well.

3D printing is great for parts under moderate compression or tension when perpendicular to the printing plane, but it is not always possible to print in the desired plane without significant support material which reduces surface quality.

In terms of costs, printing is slow and so is the time to draw up the part, so the time investment in designing and printing often costs far more than the materials and electricity to produce the part, especially with multiple prototypes. 3D filament costs starts at £20 (for cheap PLA) and goes up to over £150 per Kg for some carbon fibre reinforced Nylons and other exotic materials. That means to make it worth someone's while from a business point of view, they would either want to charge you the design time plus print time & materials, or sell many copies and charge less to still make a fair profit.

I am not trying to start a business here and so would be wary of making anything functional at this stage. It might take me as a novice who is still converting from CAD [cardboard aided design] to CAD [computer aided design] hours (with an example in hand) or days (without) to draw up and test print something that I then cannot test fit, only to find that I measured in inches and printed in microns and printed on its side so it fell apart

I am still playing with the various materials available so at this stage, I am making non-structural parts, mainly from PLA and TPU, with carbon reinforced PLA and PETG coming soon and then I will start looking at the various Nylons, which is probably what we need for functional parts for our cars.

Basically, the possibilities are endless but my knowledge is not so we need to get there slowly and with many cleverer peoples than lil-ole me . If only Donald Trump and his "great and unmatched wisdom" was a member of our forum

That said, keep the ideas coming in and between us I and sure we will find a couple of winners

Cheers n
Si

[UUUdirs2newcastle]

I really need 10 of the Rs2 Bodystyling Sill big round turning clip retainers that are about 4cm in width. Are these NLA, or what would it cost to make some up buddy?

[andyg plym]

Front gear linkage bushes!

[PRY4SNO]

Subscribed. Great idea, I was actually just talking about the need to 3d print parts that are going NLA with a friend last week.

Including USB outlets in the cup holders is a brilliant idea.