Regarding coatings, the ABS used by most FDM printers can be "blended" using a paint brush and acetone, it melts/welds the surface together making it significantly stronger and smoother. It takes a lot of time to do this though, unless you have a misting chamber.
You could certainly get away with one for a while, depending on the car. V-engines, where the manifold is supported equally on both sides by the head would be much easier. Engines like the 4-cyl in my Saturn would be difficult as the manifold pretty much hangs off the back of the engine.
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Originally Posted by NachtRitter
Sounds like if you could print it in wax and then use lost wax sand casting, it could be beneficial?
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You can investment cast directly off ABS. I use it for prototype stuff at work. You'd still need a finishing operation on the mating flanges and and screw holes though. In the end it would still cost as much as or more than making a custom manifold out of sheetmetal.
Quote:
Originally Posted by merccom
just print the negative an cast it out of JB weld  |
You can't, unless you print a multi-part mold, which would be a total *****.