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I just ordered a 3D printer. Will be about a month before I can actually start producing stuff with any quality (ship/build time, calibration, working out bugs, etc)
I am looking at being able to make parts that are not available anywhere else, or custom pieces. Due to material restrictions right now, I cannot make anything that can handle lots of heat or stress. I will mostly be concentrating on Firebird GTA pieces (already made a design for the seat belt headrest retainer barrels) because I have the car to do R&D with. Could possibly move off into Camaro parts if the demand is there. These parts will not be Concourse (purist) quality but they will hopefully be functional and only you will be able to tell the difference, also they will be paint to match. My question is, will there be any interest in something like this, or am I just wasting time?
I just ordered a 3D printer. Will be about a month before I can actually start producing stuff with any quality (ship/build time, calibration, working out bugs, etc)
I am looking at being able to make parts that are not available anywhere else, or custom pieces. Due to material restrictions right now, I cannot make anything that can handle lots of heat or stress. I will mostly be concentrating on Firebird GTA pieces (already made a design for the seat belt headrest retainer barrels) because I have the car to do R&D with. Could possibly move off into Camaro parts if the demand is there. These parts will not be Concourse (purist) quality but they will hopefully be functional and only you will be able to tell the difference, also they will be paint to match. My question is, will there be any interest in something like this, or am I just wasting time?
Cool. What machine did you get?
Build volume?
ABS or PLA?
1 month from machine order to production parts would be truly impressive.
Good for you! I had a friend produce a run of GTO radio delete plates for me on a 3D Printer. Usually made out of unobtainium, they came out pretty nice in plastic and were far less expensive than the original injected molding process.
I got an RP9 from a company called BobsCNC (gotta support USA manufacturers). Will be PLA at first until I get the upgrades needed for ABS (then it can be ABS, nylon, brass, wood, etc). It has approximately an 8x8x8 build volume. 1 month is the goal, but we all know how those turn out.
I am planning on producing the small plastic goodies you can't get anywhere else for a fraction of the cost for a real piece. Seat belt retainer barrels, Optima seat screw covers, GTA door trim piece that goes behind the upper inside door handle, and who knows what else.
If I can find someone to work with that knows 3d modeling really well, then the possibilities are endless.
What really is inspiring me to do this is the fact that car parters are charging in excess of $50 for one small little plastic doohickey because it is "hard to get". When they are told that is way to much, they say "good luck finding another one". Well, if I can't find it, then I will make it, and the cost will be justifiable. Also helping the community with getting those hard to find parts.
Sorry its been a while since I had an update. Been busy with life etc, etc.
However, there is progress. I have completed a rough sketch of the ALDL cover. I have one so I can take measurements and make sure it is as accurate as I can get it.
You could also make those 'rare' little covers that clip over the diagnostic port on the driver side.
Ran into an interesting thing while "schmoozing" the web. Apparently, there are 2 style of ALDL covers. There are the covers that everyone is familiar with that goes on the hush panel and covers the hole. BUT, I found another style that goes on the port itself. Were these ever put on our cars? Would it be something that would peak interest? If I can get my hands on it, I could make them.
I think that type is for obd2 connectors which are mandated to be easier to locate and access. It's just a simple cover. The earlier style is more of of a block off plate unique to our cars. The clips break off easily so lots of demand for replacements. I think the ob2 style are readily available.
EXCELLENT!!! That looks great. Can't wait to see what other parts you churn out. Looks just as good as an NOS piece and apart from you and the guy you sell it to nobody would know the difference.
Could you make flashlight inserts??? I know they wouldn't work, but just to fill in that space....might be worth looking at. You could make them with custom lettering or something.
Could you make flashlight inserts??? I know they wouldn't work, but just to fill in that space....might be worth looking at. You could make them with custom lettering or something.
I actually have a Caddy Homelink lying around, that fills that space even better, and makes it functional. PM me if interested. But, yes I could make something like that.
Another thing I can think of that would prolly generate demand is the early (82-83 or 84) seatbelt clip covers, like on the part on the belt that goes into the buckle.. These are quite prone to cracking. P.S. Imho these are actually quite common for a number of GM cars around the late 70, early 80 era = bigger market for you
For the matter of getting dimensions right, I think for most parts it would be absolutely necessary to have them at hand for you to take measurements. The ALDL cover looks pretty spot on
I have never seen these rubber-ish connector cover in any of the thirdgen cars, but that doesn't mean they weren't there when they rolled off the assembly line, heh. Btw OBD2 hadn't kicked in until 94/95-ish with the 4th Gen.
I just found the actual part I was referring to was called the buckle ^^ So, the cover on that one. Not sure if we were talking about the same part since you mentioned the barrel?
Further parts I could think of: plastic hatch trim screws, various style belt guides
Hehe, no, I was talking about the part with the "male" part on it, not the receiver (with the red push button to open the belt lock ). But yes, the receiver plastic "mantle" also likes to detoriate and crack a lot on these.. I think you're talking about these.
Aside from making these, it would be kinda hard to put these on anyways? Since the belt lock receiver as well as the tab that mounts to the chassis/tunnel is bigger than the opening in the plastic, so would have to open the stitches of the short fabric belt part on one side and re-do them afterwards.. or make the plastic mantle with a slit along the whole length so you can open it up and "wrap"/put it around the belt.
Got a couple sets of seat belt barrels printed . These are not factory designs or recreations, they are my original design that, I think, is far superior to the factory POS design. These will not just fly off and be lost, and have not come loose during road testing.
These will come primered and need to be painted to match. I would recommend removing the seat belt loop and painting both parts at the same time so they match perfectly.
Can you make the heater blend door ? Been looking for a machine shop to make one around here with no luck. Is there a composite tough enough on the printer to make this?
Making these tonneau release levers would be cool, right now they're $100+ and you buy the cable and all. The lever is the only peice that I've ever seen break. The ones for the 80's convertibles are $200+
NDZ- to much of a stressed part for a printed part, CNC would be the way to go for that. Printed part would wear out really quickly.
91Red- If I could get a hold of a handle, it could be possible. But again, kind of a lot of stress on the handle when pulled. Would be cheap, but would eventually break.
Polo- Fairly simple and feasible. Minimal stress on the part. Kinda big, but possible.
There are printers that can do high stress components, but they are prohibitively expensive.
NDZ- to much of a stressed part for a printed part, CNC would be the way to go for that. Printed part would wear out really quickly.
I know it's no help today...but the day may come when you can do that. I just read an SAE article on a company that makes a powered metal which can be used to print parts...in this case, they made bearings.
04-20-2015, 12:02 PM
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