Hi everyone, anyone using a 3d printer for bits?

This may be useful - http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=30&t=1393679&mid=0&nmt=3D+printed+kitcar+parts

I've used some ABS Plastic printed components for things such as switch and light bezels. Also the arms that hold my paddle shift paddles to the steering wheel and speed sensor for the Digidash 2.

Works very well, but it isn't that strong. Bear in mind there are different types of 3D printer though.

We have one @ work and use it all the time for prototyping parts and making little jigs and fixtures. The parts are OK, but being printed layers of plastic, they can de-laminate and you have to take care to print in the best orientation to get the best strength and dimensional tolerances from the process.

On a similar line, I recently read an article about a new process which embeds poly-something fibres into hish strength cast Aluminium alloys. It's set to be used by higher end car makers to allow them to reduce the weight of things like suspension components, whilst maintaining the necessary strength of the part, particularly where the part is subject to high shock loads. The same magazine also had an article on sintered metal components being introduced into aircraft. That process really has massive potential to free up engineers to design very complex geometry parts that would be too costly (or impossible) to produce using existing processes. I think we're set to see some massive changes over the next few decades, which will transform vehicle and aircraft design.

The Laser Sintering machines are amazing pieces of kit.. Almost zero wastage and reduced post machining has the potential to make components very cost effective.

DMG have taken it one step further already - The Laser Sinter / Milling machine with the ability to switch between the two whenever you like!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9IdZ2pI5dA

[Edited on 18/6/14 by Jamesc]

Hey,

Yer, check out my posts.

Rob

http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=183699

http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=180604

The other thing I've heard about was using the 3d printer to make complex parts, then using them in the lost wax process to cast them in metal - melting or burning the plastic out before casting.

No idea how effective this would be.

Great info, thanks guys. Love the bushes idea.

Yes I've been using a 3D printer for a while now, tyring to get a small business off the ground using the tools now avaliaible. Recently did some work on a friends Touring car project:


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Thanks,

C.

you could just use a wood lathe to make moulds for round bushes, probably made in a fraction if the time too