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3D Printers

Posted: 28 Nov 2012, 12:39
by Walrus
I'm looking for neat fog light options. Projektzwo used to do a nice fog lamp housing but they are NLA, and from what I've been reading the lamps for them are no longer made either, plus they are expensive when they do appear for sale, which is not very often and the design has various flaws that could be corrected.

What do people know of 3D printing? Would it be worth making a modified/alternative Projektzwo housing, that could fit a modern fog light into neatly? I know it would need designing, protortyping etc, but is it practical? Any ideas on cost (assuming it would be a one-off or on-demand job)? Has anyone done it already?

Re: 3D Printers

Posted: 28 Nov 2012, 23:10
by scottbott
I am sure I read in octane magazine a couple of months ago in jay leno's coloumn about 3D printers,he thought they were great for remaking obsolete parts for vehicles and he payed about $1500 for one and thought that was good value for money,mind you he can afford it,I had never heard of one before that,would be interesting to see how it worked though

Re: 3D Printers

Posted: 29 Nov 2012, 00:46
by ringo
If you can design it in a 3d tool then it will be relatively cheap to print.
Google sketch up is a common format - design it in that if you're not familiar with 3d design tools.
I find that side of things (eg artistic) very hard to do - but sending your design to someone to print is very easy. Google is your friend.

"Make" is an incredibly exciting revolution about to happen. I love the concept. Forgive me because I can't remember who I'm quoting but I hot it from Chris Anderson the editor of wired magazine:

"The next industrial revolution is not coming from the major players in industry but from the garages of people who live in developed countries".

That means us (well, it will when I can afford a 3D printer ) :)

The next ten years are going to blow our minds......

Good luck, Ringo

Re: 3D Printers

Posted: 29 Nov 2012, 06:55
by 72BUG
It is amazing technology. Does anyone else think "Replicator"?

Re: 3D Printers

Posted: 29 Nov 2012, 07:42
by Titus A Duxass
We use them to develop our prototypes, some of the examples that our specialist produce are amazing.
Working bicycle chains and adjustable wrenches from nothing in minutes.

Re: 3D Printers

Posted: 29 Nov 2012, 07:54
by Hacksawbob
http://www.shapeways.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; is an interesting idea, Ive thought about doing various bits on it and i had a go with 3ds max, which is pretty hard to het your head round. It might be too expensive to print them individually but you could 3d print a mould, but the beauty of shapeways is that you can set your design up for people to buy printed copies so you dont have to market them.

Re: 3D Printers

Posted: 29 Nov 2012, 23:38
by scottbott
just looked at some you tube video of the 3d printer,incredible the possibilities must be endless

Re: 3D Printers

Posted: 30 Nov 2012, 08:42
by nicq
I worked in f1 where 3d printing is used on nearly all prototyping I now work as a DT technician in education we are making a 3d printer as a project. Main problems are the media used for printing, it a polymer based product with very little strength great for mock ups but of little use as a final product.
Nic

Re: 3D Printers

Posted: 01 Dec 2012, 15:10
by Marsupilami
Wow, where to start? There's a whole community on the web making things these days, probably best to slip along there and ask again. In the mean time here's my tupp'nies worth.

Most of the 'domestic/educational' systems are of the 'Fused Deposition Modelling' type, where a bead of material (usually ABS) is extruded from a smallish (0.025'') nozzle. The nozzle is scanned over the cross section of the part ( think of colouring in, but with a glue gun). Once the layer is complete, the part platform is indexed away from the print nozzle by 1 layer thickness and the next layer scanned.

The issues with diy FDM systems include their lack of support structure material (supports can only be made in model material), absence of proper thermal control causing poor geometric accuracy, limited mechanical properties of the finished components and rather poor small detail strength (extruded material structure is grainy). All of the above give rise to geometry limitations which may preclude the very shape needed.

Real world parts for arduous applications, such as proposed by the OP, could be made in Selective Laser Sintering. All of the mechanical, chemical and geometry issues of FDM are addressed, but at much greater cost. A smallish bracket, such as proposed could easily be £100, with design costs on top.
If the designed part is not too large, a friendly approach to a service bureau may see them making the part at cost price - usually only possible if the part is able to fit in amongst an already costed build.

If a mould is envisaged, it may be that Stereolithograpy is the best option. More of everything - accuracy, temperature tolerance, uv stability, material properties and choice. And cost, from very costly to insanely expensive (direct sintered titanium comes to mind - though not for a mould obviously !). Sla parts are mainstay of most wind tunnel testing as they provide the current best compromise of strength, accuracy, mechanical properties, process time and cost (although bear in mind that wind tunnel time is the one thing that can make sla models look cheap!)

If you need a one off in (I suggest SLS) your best bet may be to approach a uni that has advanced mechanical design courses. Students are normally on the look out for real projects which can be documented from cradle to grave and often have access to the equipment needed.

As for creating the design; if simple enough Sketchup (mentioned in an earlier post) will be fine, you'll need an plug in to export stl files though, as asking for a favour to get a part made need not be compounded by asking for file translation too. :)

M.

Re: 3D Printers

Posted: 17 Jul 2020, 07:09
by Titus A Duxass
Holy thread resurrection Batman!

I think I'm going to have a play with a 3d printer.

I've got it down to three choices:

Artillery Genius
Creality 3d
Creality 5d

Is anyone else on here into them?

Re: 3D Printers

Posted: 17 Jul 2020, 17:52
by tobydog
We have a Formlabs 2 at work and were thinking of buying a 3 before lockdown.

It's a pretty good piece of kit, some of the resins are quite amazing.  The trays need looking after (one for each resin), resin is about £150-180/litre and consumables like alcohol are needed.  The only problems have been with the galvanometer mirrors getting dirty and causing failed prints.  Accuracy can be very good, but, then sometimes parts distort.  All part of the learning curve.

I'm back in work on Monday, I'll try and dig out a few examples of prints.....