I'm making custom car parts with a 3d printer

[MetroMPG]

Judging by the number of members who make their own wheel covers rather than spend the big bux for the mooneyes, I think there's a market for attachment widgets.

[cbearden]

Daox,
This looks pretty awesome! I've been a reader here for some time but haven't posted yet. I've had a Reprap Prusa i3 3d printer that I built a little over a year ago. And one of my main goals with it was to try injection molding with higher temp plastics. I'm still working with finishing up my insulated enclosure for it, so that I can more reliably print ABS and other higher temp items without the typical de-laminating issues that other people seem to experience. My exp is mostly with the hardware in building this printer. But I'm slowly learning the software side of this. If there's anything I can do to assist or help with this, I'd be happy to. Hopefully I can learn from your progress as well.

[Shawn D.]

Originally Posted by synergy

Daox, Theres a MILLION things you can make with that.

1. Intake spacers
2. Differential mount bushings
3. Transmission mount bushings
4. power steering rack bushings
5. Engine mounts
6. wheel spacers
7. Subframe bushings
8. throttle body adapters

2-7 are critical load-bearing items and would likely not withstand use for very long in the real world.

In particular, printed plastic wheel spacers would be dangerous -- they'd crush/squash, causing loss of lug torque, and subsequently a loose wheel. Unsprung/rotational weight reduction is a high priority all throughout racing circles, and even high-dollar vehicles do not use plastic wheel spacers, or even carbon fiber, much less printed plastic.

[ldjessee00]

Awesome 3D printing!

Originally Posted by Shawn D.

2-7 are critical load-bearing items and would likely not withstand use for very long in the real world.

In particular, printed plastic wheel spacers would be dangerous -- they'd crush/squash, causing loss of lug torque, and subsequently a loose wheel. Unsprung/rotational weight reduction is a high priority all throughout racing circles, and even high-dollar vehicles do not use plastic wheel spacers, or even carbon fiber, much less printed plastic.

I would assume they would be made the same way he makes the insulators, 3D print the mold. Use the mold to make the critical part.

What I would really like to see is a combined unit of desktop 3D printer and 3D cadcam. That way you could make the part slightly larger, then mill the surface you want to very exacting specifications. Or maybe as a side by side, kind of like washer/dryer. Then have the 3D cadcam use dremel bits, so you can find cheap bits and are already being manufactured...

I am dreaming, but just a thought.

[synergy]

Originally Posted by Shawn D.

2-7 are critical load-bearing items and would likely not withstand use for very long in the real world.

In particular, printed plastic wheel spacers would be dangerous -- they'd crush/squash, causing loss of lug torque, and subsequently a loose wheel. Unsprung/rotational weight reduction is a high priority all throughout racing circles, and even high-dollar vehicles do not use plastic wheel spacers, or even carbon fiber, much less printed plastic.

lol. They make all the items I have mentioned. Google it. Printed plastic wheel spacers?
POLYURETHANE not plastic he can make molds and such with this.

There's literally hundreds of the items I have mentioned for sale right now. They make intake manifolds out of plastic these days.

Heres a perfect example. http://www.4wd.com/Jeep-Engine-Perfo...n=DAYKJ01003BK

85$ for what amounts to a urethane block with screws in it.

[synergy]

From factory cars have mostly rubber bushings to isolate NVH. Modified cars atleast in my 240 drifting world get either poly or aluminum bushings. I had Poly motor tranny steering rack and all subframe bushings replaced. Subframe got the aluminum's and the rest were all poly. That way the rear was as firmly planted as possible but I wanted some play with my motor trans and steering so I got poly.

http://www.4wd.com/Jeep-Lift-Kits-Je...n=DAYKU09017BK

Those are another good example. People use Polyurethane for EVERYTHING. These 3D printers can hopefully help lower costs

[Shawn D.]

Originally Posted by synergy

lol. They make all the items I have mentioned. Google it. Printed plastic wheel spacers?
POLYURETHANE not plastic he can make molds and such with this.

There's literally hundreds of the items I have mentioned for sale right now. They make intake manifolds out of plastic these days.

Heres a perfect example. Daystar Part KJ01003BK - Polyurethane Motor Mount - Fits 1967 to 1992 YJ Wrangler and CJ - 4 Wheel Drive

85$ for what amounts to a urethane block with screws in it.

Originally Posted by synergy

From factory cars have mostly rubber bushings to isolate NVH. Modified cars atleast in my 240 drifting world get either poly or aluminum bushings. I had Poly motor tranny steering rack and all subframe bushings replaced. Subframe got the aluminum's and the rest were all poly. That way the rear was as firmly planted as possible but I wanted some play with my motor trans and steering so I got poly.

Daystar Part KU09017BK - Polyurethane Bump Stop - 4 Wheel Drive

Those are another good example. People use Polyurethane for EVERYTHING. These 3D printers can hopefully help lower costs

FYI, polyurethane is a plastic.

The use of elastomeric polyurethane for vehicles is not news to me, so I don't need to Google anything. I have elastomeric polyurethane sway bar bushings on three cars, suspension bushings on two (including subframe bushings on one), and engine & transmission mounts on one. I also have Johnny Joints on my BMW's thrust arms (not that these are relevant to this discussion).

You essentially admitted my point on the wheel spacers when you said "I wanted some play with my motor trans and steering so I got poly." That's the issue -- there would be deformation and play.

Elastomeric polyurethane is what is required for the load-bearing items we're talking about, which AFAIK is not 3D-printable with current materials/equipment available to the masses. If the "urethane" the OP is using is indeed elastomeric polyurethane, then I'm wrong.*

*Except for the wheel spacers

[mikeyjd]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Judging by the number of members who make their own wheel covers rather than spend the big bux for the mooneyes, I think there's a market for attachment widgets.

Wheel covers and wheel skirt attachements please.

[synergy]

Originally Posted by Shawn D.

FYI, polyurethane is a plastic.

The use of elastomeric polyurethane for vehicles is not news to me, so I don't need to Google anything. I have elastomeric polyurethane sway bar bushings on three cars, suspension bushings on two (including subframe bushings on one), and engine & transmission mounts on one. I also have Johnny Joints on my BMW's thrust arms (not that these are relevant to this discussion).

You essentially admitted my point on the wheel spacers when you said "I wanted some play with my motor trans and steering so I got poly." That's the issue -- there would be deformation and play.

Elastomeric polyurethane is what is required for the load-bearing items we're talking about, which AFAIK is not 3D-printable with current materials/equipment available to the masses. If the "urethane" the OP is using is indeed elastomeric polyurethane, then I'm wrong.*

*Except for the wheel spacers

I know poly is a plastic... I was just making sure the guy who said you cant make spacers out of plastic knew I was talking about polyu which is a specific kind incase he didn't understand what type we were talking about.

And the fact that it "has play" does not mean its deforming. It simply means that on a very small scale it has give. Just like all metals do. Its just poly mounts have a little more give than metal mounts.

I don't see any reason why the spacers ive seen on 4x4 trucks couldnt be made by simply taking a disc of poly and drilling it. As long as you drill accurately so it isnt off center I don't think the load would be that great. You only torque wheels down to 80-90ftlbs. As long as it doesnt crack and shear off in pieces it should be ok.

[riffdex]

Can you print an armrest for third gen Ford Escorts?

hxxp://qqq.feoa.net/threads/armrest-for-center-console.61386/

(Change hxxp and qqq)