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squonk
Samba Member
Joined: August 13, 2011
Posts: 262
Location: Upstate New York
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 Posted: Tue May 21, 2013 6:03 pm Post subject: 3D printing Ghia parts |
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My winter project was to try to build a 3D printer. Here's what I came up with:
It's based on the B9creator by Mike Joyce (who open sourced his designs and software http://b9creator.com/), and uses a photo-curable resin with a video projector as the light source.
Tonight, I had my first successful print, and am hoping now to move on to what was, believe it or not, part of my motivation to build the thing. I want to print a couple of parts for my '71 cabriolet - specifically the paddles or knobs for the windshield defroster levers. I know I could probably buy them, but this way seems cooler to me.
So, if anyone would happen to have measurements for these, or be willing to measure the ones on their car, I would be really grateful. And maybe I could even print something for you in return...
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'71 Ghia cabriolet |
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Seba007
Samba Member
Joined: August 21, 2012
Posts: 100
Location: Canada
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| Posted: Tue May 21, 2013 6:48 pm Post subject: |
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Hi,
I was in this business for 10 years building F1, aerospace, consumer goods and other tools / parts, assemblies and prototypes. The best way we did copy / reproduce parts was to 3D scan them first them first and then finish them off in a 3D CAD Software.
I have strong knowledge in laser sintering and fdm for both tools (mainly small production) and final product parts. If I can help, my pleasure.
Nice tought on having Ghia parts reproduced using this technology, beeing profitable is all about using the right technology and actual manufacturing processes.
Cheers,
Seba
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'68 Karmann Ghia Coupe |
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swhitcomb
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Joined: November 05, 2003
Posts: 5727
Location: Inwood WV
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| Posted: Tue May 21, 2013 7:15 pm Post subject: |
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I've been waiting for some one to finally apply this to VW parts. I'd suggest a run of Formuling horn buttons. Impossible to find, and going for $50-$100. Not sure how much "printing them" would run.
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My 71 Ghia Been in my family since 1980
My Patina 66
My 74 Ghia
07 Boxster |
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swhitcomb
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Joined: November 05, 2003
Posts: 5727
Location: Inwood WV
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| Posted: Tue May 21, 2013 7:18 pm Post subject: |
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Are you talking about the knobs under the dash? I can measure mine if you want.
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My 71 Ghia Been in my family since 1980
My Patina 66
My 74 Ghia
07 Boxster |
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Seba007
Samba Member
Joined: August 21, 2012
Posts: 100
Location: Canada
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| Posted: Wed May 22, 2013 2:49 am Post subject: |
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Here is a website i remember using at first to quote some jobs
http://www.xpress3d.com/
Rapid Manufacturing pricing is based on material type and manufacturing time. Keep in mind that some materials deteriorate with the action of light or humidity. Finishing (sanding, painting or chroming) is most of the time necessary and adds up to the built price.
Keep it up, nice thread,
Seba
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'68 Karmann Ghia Coupe |
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squonk
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Joined: August 13, 2011
Posts: 262
Location: Upstate New York
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| Posted: Wed May 22, 2013 3:56 am Post subject: |
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| swhitcomb wrote: |
| Are you talking about the knobs under the dash? I can measure mine if you want. |
Yes, the knobs under the dash to the left of the steering column. If you could measure the outside dimensions and maybe snap a photo, that would be great! I can figure out the size of the hole from the levers in my car. Thanks!
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'71 Ghia cabriolet |
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spurtee
Samba Member
Joined: September 07, 2011
Posts: 19
Location: Indianapolis
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| Posted: Wed May 22, 2013 3:52 pm Post subject: |
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Looks nice - surprised you went with the resin.
I too enjoy 3d printing. I want to print the shoulder hooks in the rear seat area of my Ghia vert. Should be easier than knobs. The visor clips are another good one to try. Maybe even make a $1, typically selling for $6 a pair.
Try using the Autodesk 123Catch to go from photos to 3d model. Supposed to work well if you have the right photos. |
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DrakeB
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Joined: July 26, 2010
Posts: 245
Location: Here, obviously
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| Posted: Wed May 22, 2013 10:42 pm Post subject: |
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There is a 3-d scanner that is suppose to come out this fall that can scan a 7.5" x 9.5", which might help in the creation of some of the harder to find parts such as the one your proposing.
http://gigaom.com/2013/04/09/meet-photon-a-low-cos...l-objects/
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Bondo? Bondo? We don't need no stinking Bondo!
How is it 'NOS' if it has been modified?
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Seba007
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Joined: August 21, 2012
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Location: Canada
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squonk
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Joined: August 13, 2011
Posts: 262
Location: Upstate New York
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| Posted: Thu May 23, 2013 3:19 pm Post subject: |
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| spurtee wrote: |
| Looks nice - surprised you went with the resin. |
Why so? I like the fact that the size/complexity of the object doesn't affect the length of time it takes to "print" one layer. It also gives me some flexibility in terms of the ability to dial in the resolution. Another thing that's nice, though I doubt I'll get to it, is that, with the right resin, I can do "lost wax" type casting of metal parts.
But, extruded plastic or resin, it's just cool to be able to make a real thing from a digital model.
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swhitcomb
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Joined: November 05, 2003
Posts: 5727
Location: Inwood WV
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| Posted: Thu May 23, 2013 7:17 pm Post subject: |
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Haven't forgotten about you. I'll get them measured.
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My 71 Ghia Been in my family since 1980
My Patina 66
My 74 Ghia
07 Boxster |
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squonk
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Joined: August 13, 2011
Posts: 262
Location: Upstate New York
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| Posted: Sat May 25, 2013 1:07 pm Post subject: |
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If anyone is interested, here's a few seconds of time lapse video from a test run today. Time compressed like this, it looks like magic.
Link
And, no worries, swhitcomb. I appreciate your offer, and am in no hurry.
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swhitcomb
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Location: Inwood WV
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ivwshane
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Joined: May 19, 2011
Posts: 1920
Location: Sacramento ca
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| Posted: Thu Jun 27, 2013 3:33 am Post subject: |
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| squonk wrote: |
If anyone is interested, here's a few seconds of time lapse video from a test run today. Time compressed like this, it looks like magic.
Link
And, no worries, swhitcomb. I appreciate your offer, and am in no hurry. |
So what do you do with the parts after they are done being printed? Paint them? Make molds with them? What is the texture of the surface like? Can you control the surface texture (ie make it super smooth or make it feel like 320 grit sand paper)?
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77 westy 2.0 FI
69 ghia coup 1600dp
70 single cab |
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squonk
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Joined: August 13, 2011
Posts: 262
Location: Upstate New York
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| Posted: Thu Jun 27, 2013 4:08 am Post subject: |
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| ivwshane wrote: |
| So what do you do with the parts after they are done being printed? Paint them? Make molds with them? What is the texture of the surface like? Can you control the surface texture (ie make it super smooth or make it feel like 320 grit sand paper)? |
Good questions. As this will be my first attempt, I'm planning to paint the parts and use them straight out of the printer. You'll see in the photo, that I'm working on making the defroster vent knobs for my Ghia (with thanks to swhitcomb for the measurements). The resin I'm using is pretty tough when cured, so I think it will be fine. For other parts, though, making a mold might be the way to go, as it would give me more control over the final material, surface, etc. I could even, theoretically, use the printed objects to make molds for "lost wax" metal casting.
As for the surface of the parts as they come out of the printer, the cured resin is like very smooth plastic. I think, to some degree, I could add detail to the 3D model to give the finished piece a different texture. And, of course, making a mold from the piece would allow me to use different materials. It's all an experiment at this point, but I'm hoping to print the knobs this weekend and will post pics if I have any success.
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swhitcomb
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Joined: November 05, 2003
Posts: 5727
Location: Inwood WV
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| Posted: Thu Jun 27, 2013 10:12 am Post subject: |
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Looks great. I'll measure the taper for you.
_________________
My 71 Ghia Been in my family since 1980
My Patina 66
My 74 Ghia
07 Boxster |
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swhitcomb
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Location: Inwood WV
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swhitcomb
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Location: Inwood WV
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| Posted: Mon Jul 01, 2013 9:35 am Post subject: |
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Any luck this weekend in printing your knob? I'd love to see the finished product.
_________________
My 71 Ghia Been in my family since 1980
My Patina 66
My 74 Ghia
07 Boxster |
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squonk
Samba Member
Joined: August 13, 2011
Posts: 262
Location: Upstate New York
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| Posted: Mon Jul 01, 2013 2:30 pm Post subject: |
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| swhitcomb wrote: |
| Any luck this weekend in printing your knob? I'd love to see the finished product. |
Still struggling a little bit with the intricacies of getting the model from my modeling software into .stl format for my printer. I tried a few prints, and the model kept coming apart about 150 layers in. I thought it was a problem with my printer (wouldn't surprise me; it's homemade), but I successfully printed a test model today, so I'm back to the drawing board on the data conversion. Hope to have a product soon, though.
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swhitcomb
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Joined: November 05, 2003
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Location: Inwood WV
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| Posted: Mon Jul 01, 2013 2:42 pm Post subject: |
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Did you get a chance to look at that horn button I took all the pics of? Haven't sent it to you. No hurry, just excited to see how it's going to look.
_________________
My 71 Ghia Been in my family since 1980
My Patina 66
My 74 Ghia
07 Boxster |
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