3D Printed Defroster Vents for my Sports Bug

[CWAVE]

While working on my Sports Bug restoration, I was tearing out the headliner last weekend and came across the crumbling defroster vents. I think that's pretty common-place to find. Thought to myself, hey... I could model these easy enough.

Granted, I could spend the 20 bucks plus shipping on a set of vents, but where's the fun in that!

What actually inspired me was the fact that one of the vents I removed from my car was actually still mostly in tact. Granted it was ready to turn to dust but held together long enough for me to get detailed measurements.

Came up with this 3D model last night, that I promptly sent to my printer. Printed it in a transparent filament. Tried it out this morning and it fits perfectly. Maybe I should sell them... even offer them in different colors. They could also I suppose be easily painted to whatever color a guy would want.

Here's photos of the 3D model.

The factory one, of course, has a flap on the back of the vent. I've noticed that none of the reproductions have that. I suppose the flap is there to keep air flowing in one direction... OUT. My next step in the design is going to be to integrate a flap into the back of the vent to get it to function as the originals did.

And the finished part.

I'll post more when I get the "flap" version done and working.

CWAVE

[Chad1376]

This is so cool! I really want to get a 3D printer.

I've seen a few other people do 3D printed parts for hard to find items. It would be cool if there was a repository where people could post the model files and share.

[fatdog]

Man I think that is great and with a working flap would be all the better. You should think about other hard to find parts like the plastic on the bottom sides of seat frames. I really think you should run with the inspiration.
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[CWAVE]

Thanks for your comments.

Going to try to start work on the "flap version" this afternoon.

I'm certainly open to suggestions on other hard to find items. I don't quite follow what part you're talking about on the bottom sides of the seat frames. I have the Sports bug seats which might be different from what you're thinking of?

Been also thinking of designing a small 2 or 3 gauge housing for some autometer gauges that could perhaps be contoured to the dash with the gauges tilted up that would not require drilling into the dash. That's something I've been throwing around for a while now. Still knee deep in my restoration, not close to the re-assembly yet. Probably start thinking about that one as I get closer.

CWAVE

[vamram]

Man, if you can print ones that are like the original flaps version, I will pay for two sets!!!
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[wcfvw69]

Nice job.. The part looks great.

Question- how durable is the plastic? I have NO understanding of 3d printers so.. The other question is can you print different plastic material? Some softer and some harder?

There's some NLA plastic parts in Bosch distributors that would be nice to reproduce.
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[ashman40]

I just saw a YouTube video about a 3D DIY printer kit for $146!!! The prices have REALLY come down. I know when I first thought of buying one (still haven't because they were too expensive, but I may have to take the plunge) they were in the $800 range for the DIY kits.
Here's the link. I can't speak for the company. The price is what caught my eye. DIY might scare some, but if you are on this forum you are probably not one of them.
https://www.zapals.com/a8-large-desktop-3d-printer-kit-high-resolution-with-lcd-display.html

I'm sure there are LOTS of NLA parts that could be printed if plans were available. There are already "plan repositories" on line where you can download plans to print all kinds of items! Many are just toys, but some are ingenious! Take a peak here... thingiverse is probably the largest free repository.
https://www.thingiverse.com/

Here's a link to other sites for plans (pay and free):
http://www.fabbaloo.com/blog/2014/5/28/alternatives-to-thingiverse-for-upset-designers
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[Chad1376]

Cool, I knew there were free models on-line. I guess what I was thinking was VW specific database, right here on Samba or another VW site

Prices are definitely getting affordable - the one thing that's tough though, is finding the time to model this stuff.

[CWAVE]

Well, been making some headway on the flap. I have the flap designed, just working on the hinge now. Did one hinge already that didn't work out well (the flap would bind). I've come up with a new design that should swing freely. Will see how that turns out.

Here's the first rejected flap

As for the plastic, 3D printers can print in a wide range of plastics. I'm printing these in PLA and find that type of plastic quite durable. It can be a little brittle if used in an application where shock or flexing is occurring. So not so good for quad copters but for something like this, it will work fine.

For more abusive environments ABS is a good solution. HIPS is also a good product for non-flexing or higher temperature applications.

With respect to the comment about a 146 dollar DIY printer, I'd caution anyone looking to get into this that the adage "you get what you pay for" is still valid in 3D printers. Cheap printers are typically poor resolution printers. The printers that I use are over 3 grand a piece, and produce very nice quality parts (as you should expect).

Also worth noting is that getting into 3D printing requires a fair commitment of time. Printing 3D is much different from printing a printed page. There are a LOT of different factors that determine the success or failure of a print. The required level of experience increases when you design parts as the print process needs to be considered in the design as much as the process of constructing the part with the printer. I've been at this for a few years now.

CWAVE

[TX-73]

Thanks for posting this. I've been a bit fascinated by the ability to design and "print" items. Really cool, I'm def in the old dog learning new tricks camp.
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[ROCKOROD71]

In regards to other parts that could be made, the 1971 version of the part you have posted would be desirable. As you said yourself these vents can be purchased at many parts places. The 71 only vents are NLA. There is a samba member who made some from fiberglass a few years ago who might still make them to order but they are not cheap, like almost $200. A 3D model would be perfect for a part like that as they could be printed to order once the initial model is done. Finding an OG 71 vent to model from might be the most difficult part. I think they are different for lh and rh too but they are mirrors.
Cwave i have followed your threads and read the humvee stuff too. Very impressive. You do excellent work. Thx for sharing another undertaking.
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[CWAVE]

Could you point me to a photo of the vent you're talking about? I'd certainly be happy to model something new (always enjoy the challenge). You're right though... most of the time the hard part is getting the item to model. I have done models from photos and supplied measurements, but it always takes 10 times as long to accomplish.

Thanks for your comments on my previous threads. Much appreciated.

CWAVE

P.S. I think I found a photo of it...

I'll have to see if I can find one somewhere.

[ROCKOROD71]

Here is the thread on these fiberglass versions, would've linked it earlier but was on my phone.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=282226&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

Still gets requests for them but no ad up for them anymore. I asked about them from jamesdagg about a year ago when I thought my headliner was coming out, figuring that would be the best time to install new ones. Turns out I didn't have to do that so I kicked the can on that one but he did respond to me and quoted me a price. A fiberglass shop local to him still has the molds to make them.
My recollection is that you are in Canada so a VW dealership may be able to help you get originals IF VW Classic Parts somehow dug some up out of a jungle warehouse somewhere. VW Classic will not sell to USA. We'd have to track down a part number though, which I am unaware of.
Another solution is to get the fiberglass repros and model off of those, but seems like a lot of trouble and cost to reproduce something already reproducible, albeit at a greater cost. Perhaps someone out there has them and hasn't installed them yet and would lend them, again, seems like a lot of leg work.
Perhaps jamesdagg is willing to help on it. From everything I read in that thread and others it seems like his repros are nice and fit well.
3D printing offers a solution to all the little rare parts like this. I agree with other posters that it would be nice to have an ACVW repository for files for VW parts. Seems like VW's bloodsucking lawyers would come barking to put a stop to parts being produced that they themselves refuse to produce to support their own vehicles. That is kind of their MO.
Anyhow, I am starting to rant. Thanks for considering it, I bet others will chime in on this thread with other hard to find plastic do-dads our cars could use.
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1971 STD BEETLE- DD-1st car, 1st love. keepin' it stock! 1600DP, Solex 34-3 Mexi Bosch SVDA Dist NOW w/POINTS
1977 WESTY "KrustyKamper" 2L FI

[CWAVE]

Cool. Thanks for the info.

I've sent him a message, see if I can buy a set off him. Since they're accurate reproductions, it seems that they would be an ideal place to start. If it worked out, once I'd be done with them, I'd just throw them up on the classifieds.

I would need a guinea-pig to test the finished part if I got that far, as I don't have a 71 super.

Will see where this goes.

CWAVE

[Cali_Army_Guy]

I like the fact they're a different color. A white dash vent in my '66 would be cool as it would tie in to the black/white theme the car already has.
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[ROCKOROD71]

part number for the piece CWAVE 3D printed:

311 819 467

Diagram showing the various vents (#12 on the website I got this from, has no P/N listed! d'oh):

Link to 73+ super diagram:
http://www.volkswagen-classic-parts.de/en/luftduese-379141.html

DOES AYONE HAVE REFERENCE MATERIAL TO FIND THAT PART NUMBER?

EDIT: Also, no part number listed HERE: http://www.oemepc.com/vw/part_single/catalog/vw/ma...ng/e#sec_5

What gives? haha
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1971 STD BEETLE- DD-1st car, 1st love. keepin' it stock! 1600DP, Solex 34-3 Mexi Bosch SVDA Dist NOW w/POINTS
1977 WESTY "KrustyKamper" 2L FI

[Air-Cooled Head]

[ROCKOROD71]

[ashman40]

[Chad1376]