3D Printed Parts

sbclayton · Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2015 8:00 am Post subject: 3D Printed Parts

This forum is full of talented people. Has anyone considered scanning and digitizing NLA parts and 3D printing them, possibly for sale or, at least, making 3D print files available to others?

I was on KickStarter and found this project. I am not endorsing or plugging it but simply find it intriguing: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1545315380/at...f=category.

I know 3D printing can be done in plastic and metal, to a fraction of a micron tolerance (I seem to recall). Perhaps one of our talented number might consider this as a startup to support keeping our beloved Volksies on the road.

What do you think?
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Steve - Tampa Bay Area
Original Owner (12/1990) of
NavDog, a 91 Carat

Enlightenment came when I realized that any time in my life I was having fun, it was somehow connected with owning a Volkswagen.

unibagel · Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2015 8:12 am Post subject:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=588291&highlight=printer

insyncro · Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2015 8:29 am Post subject:

This is already happening around the world.
Some very talented go getters in Germany are bypassing cosmetic parts and going straight to mechanical.

sbclayton · Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2015 8:50 am Post subject:

Thanks for the replies! I did do a search first, as I always do, but used the wrong parameters. Good info!
_________________
Steve - Tampa Bay Area
Original Owner (12/1990) of
NavDog, a 91 Carat

Enlightenment came when I realized that any time in my life I was having fun, it was somehow connected with owning a Volkswagen.

buildyourown · Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2015 11:01 am Post subject:

Depends on the part.
Metal can be done but is very expensive. Machining is always cheaper unless the part physically cant be machined.
Tolerances and surface finishes are still poor. It might be good for odd interior parts but you would want to hand finish them.

bmdhacks · Samba Member Joined: June 15, 2013 Posts: 60

My AC vents were missing a few fins so armed with some calipers I modeled them in Sketchup and printed them at Shapeways

They were on the expensive side, $3 for a fin when people are selling the whole vent assembly for $5 in classifieds, but it was a fun experiment.
Here's the results:

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

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88 Vanagon Westy w/ 2200cc + manual trans

bmdhacks · Samba Member Joined: June 15, 2013 Posts: 60

BTW, one of the problem with 3d printed parts is that relatively cheap printers like makerbots can't handle most shapes of parts due to overhangs/limitations of the printers, so you have to print in segments and reassemble them. Or places like Shapeways can handle the shapes but they're super expensive.

The likelihood of 3d scanning a part and then just popping one out with a home printer is pretty slim. The reality is it takes a lot of modeling effort to get a printable design.
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88 Vanagon Westy w/ 2200cc + manual trans

svenakela · Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2015 1:48 pm Post subject:

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Vanagon mirror end caps

Merian · Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2015 2:48 pm Post subject:

buildyourown · Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2015 9:07 pm Post subject:

ZsZ · Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2015 11:13 am Post subject:

GW made the sun visor mount:
http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=24219&category_id=253&category_parent_id=
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Zoltan
1.9 MTdi 2wd Multivan (ex Caravelle)
Van since 2006, engine since 2008

unplannedbbq · Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2015 12:13 pm Post subject:

nilza · Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2015 2:53 am Post subject:

Hi guys, thought I would add a little something I have been working on.
A center cap for Mercedes wheels to clear the big grease cap,

Before you go and jump up and down screaming YIPPEE!! This is designed to fit on most merc rims that are available in Australia, to that end I have never been able to lay my eyes on a set of CLK rims here and I can not tell you whether these will fit. If someone would be so kind as to send me a photo of what the CLK cap and its clips look like I maybe able to shed some light on that though.

The great thing about these caps is that you can actually use the spring clip that cam with the original caps for a very nice secure fit ( in theory anyways, the first set is due in a week and a bit) They can also be printed in a range of coloured ABS and you boys in the states can even order them though Shapeways if you so choose. Being a computer file it can be easily changed and the logo on the top can be anything you can send me a decent picture of, at this point I am happy to simple designs at no cost.

Now...... down sides, they are plastic and being 3d printed are dear. At over $100 a set you will have to have run out of options. Also, technically I can not sell VW badged caps for licencing reasons (i'm still looking into the details on this, anyone who has experience with this kind of thing please shed some light) I can only offer a blank cap with a 56mm recess that will except most of the coloured stick ons you find on Ebay.

Though... . . .I am happy to do custom logos at peoples requests, so if you were to request a VW logo, well i'm in the clear. you just can't get them though Shapeways that way at the moment.

Anyways, enough jabbering. Any questions/suggestions feel free.

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still floating around the web somewhere

dub84 · Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2015 4:34 pm Post subject:

3D print some sunroof cables!!!!!! Laughing

.... but seriously..... someone do it... you'll be a legend....

mreuter · Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2015 11:55 am Post subject:

nilza · Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2015 5:58 pm Post subject:

PM sent Mike ...

I notice in your gallery you have CLK alloys, I would like to know whether they fit on these wheels.
We'll work something out
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still floating around the web somewhere

James 93SLC · Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2015 7:14 pm Post subject:

Buddy of mine who is a designer 3D printed me these about 4 years ago. Been through 3 winters with no issues. I smoothed them with a little body filler, primed, painted and clear coated.

Pictures are before being painted (silver now).

Raw

With primer.

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91 Vanagon Carat
93 Corrado SLC
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Photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/slc.corrado
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tencentlife "Sometimes a pooka is a problem and sometimes it's just a pooka"

nilza · Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2015 7:35 pm Post subject:

I'm trying to build something that is perfect out of the box, I think if mine have the printing lines in it it may be a deal breaker, perhaps acetone vapor treat? Do you know what material or printer your buddy used?
Good to see great minds working th same way on other sides of the planet Laughing

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still floating around the web somewhere

unibagel · Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2015 4:04 am Post subject:

I am meeting with a friend who ordered a new 3D Printer that is ABS capable tomorrow for lunch, I'll keep you all posted.....

nilza · Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2015 5:30 pm Post subject:

The day has come and I have something tangible in my hands! Very Happy

After reading this thread again I noticed I never mentioned that these are for Mercedes alloy rims, to replace the little star cap in the middle. Best indications are that they WILL fit the CLK rims, somebody on here is to confirm that for me very soon.
I have also been contacted by quite a few fellows here and in the states in regards to custom LOGOs and sizes. So far a have a
+3mm cap - probably only work if you have a big arse brake conversion on your van.
+10mm cap - this is what most vanagons, er.... think I have T3/25 will require. ( think I have answered alot of US emails this week) and
the +20mm cap - this will be required depending on what alloy or grease cap you have, I think bay windows have a longer cap?
The BIG bonus to the shorter caps is that the shorter they are the less they cost to print.

What I did forget to mention earlier is that you HAVE TO have the spring clips from the original caps!

I have also been ask to do a set with the PUCH logo on them for the syncro guys, so someone will be rolling around with these soon.

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still floating around the web somewhere


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