3D printing, anyone?

taylorcom

taylorcom

Well-Known Member
Messages
280
Reaction score
32
Location
SF Bay Area
Now that parts for our coupes are getting scarcer, has anyone thought of getting a 3D printer and knocking off nla parts? It's bound to happen eventually, but I can't say when.
 
Actually going to a 3D Printing Expo in NYC tomorrow to research a small machine for work use (architectural and exhibit models), but the thought of using it to recreate non-structural NLA parts for my cars is giving me shivers...
 
Sure, I would print myself some horse hair to restuff the seats but I was not sure if I needed to print the full horse and shave it vs. printing the hair directly.

Please advise, how many horses per seat, and what do I do with them after I shave them. Can they go back in the printer? My neighbors will be very unhappy when I print myself a buffalo leather interior.
 
Haha. There's no shortage of horses, so I'd go with the real thing for now.

But ... things like turn-signal lenses, window-regulator gears & other plastic parts probly could be 3D printed using current technology.
 
LenS,

Yes, there could be a market for that, and not just for e9 parts. Undercut the scalpers on nla parts for classic cars & away u go. At least in theory ...
 
I'm waiting for some bright soul to combine 3D printing and stem cell technology and print me a new knee (or two). What are the chances?
 
taylorcom said:
LenS,

Yes, there could be a market for that, and not just for e9 parts. Undercut the scalpers on nla parts for classic cars & away u go. At least in theory ...
Click to expand...

I think you could easily print small, lightweight trim pieces out of the appropriate plastic, and then finish them accordingly...
 
Right now, there are many restrictions regarding the materials you can use, and this restricts the utility of the final product to mock-up only for many applications.

I have seen it used, however, to make extremely detailed lost-wax castings. (printing the "wax" part) These castings are then used just as normal.

The real trick things I have seen are combined additive+finishing 3D metal printing 5 axis CNCs. Print the part in SS316, then the same machine can spit out a "finished" part accurate to within 10 microns.
 
Is this not what Jay Leno has been doing for a couple of years now. Produces the image makes the mold at his own shop and then sends it out to a fabricator to make the part.


Gary
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top