Not sure of the extent of the machines abilities. But I've always really wanted a bank of switches that go in the spots pictured. Can the printer make working switches? Or has anyone seen someone make a switch bank for these spots to be used with misc accessories (TCC lockup, electric fans, laser cannon, etc...)? I hate the idea of modding in some aftermarket switches if I don't have to. I love the factory look!

 

The best the printer could do it print up the ***** themselves or the new plate insert.
You could easily add small switches and maintain a similar to factory look, I don't know what kind of switches you want so I can't go any further in depth into options.

 

Many product switches are just commodity switches with covers on them to look like whatever it is that you want. I've printed that kind of thing before for a power supply cover for my printer that I wanted to have a big red slider switch on and I just used a standard switch with a big red cover.

If you wanted to print the actual switch, you'd basically end up printing the plastic housing and have to cut out and form the contacts/metal parts and then fit them inside. I've had some luck with designing parts with captive metal parts (***** printed around a nut so that they have metal threads in them), but because of the way the process works, the contraction of parts as they cool... it's not an easy thing to do.

 

Not what potterc32 is asking, but I just read an article yesterday on some of HPs latest 3D printers...commercial stuff. They actually have the ability now to print circuits using conductive materials, and embed those circuits right into a part. Pretty wild stuff.

 

You can do that with retail stuff.

 

83 Crossfire TA, So if i just went and got a few push button switches of the appropriate size, I could have some switch "faces" printed and then attach them to the buttons. Is that what you mean? I wouldn't mind that at all.

Vanilla Ice, Do I need to come up with a sample switch cover to send to you to copy? I would want 6 or 9 of them. If you help me out, there are a couple other items I would like (radio faceplate, and maybe even a parking brake handle). Can you print in different colors, or will I need to paint them? Sorry, I'm kind of new to all this 3D printing.

 

No kidding. That's fascinating stuff.

 

I'm sure that you're looking for something a little fancier than this, but this is the setup that I mentioned earlier:



A small pocket that a commodity SPST switch is designed to snap into.


what it looks like from the front




cover printed for the switch


Now I have a big red switch for my printer lighting



The whole thing installed on the printer power supply


You can print any color that you can find filament in, but if you don't want it to look 3D printed you'll need to sand it, prime it and paint it, essentially give it the surface finish you want.

FWIW, I do have some interior parts that I've made for my car as an experiment and as suspected, PLA isn't a great plastic to print them from. They seem to be holding up OK but the first 90* day this year was warm enough to warp them a little bit causing a plexiglass bezel to pop off. Unless someone wants to try to convince me otherwise I'll likely try PETG before trying the more traditional ABS solution.

In this case, it was a bezel for an Arduino powered programmable/progressive shift light that I have been experimenting with. It doesn't look any different now that it was exposed to heat, but it's not flat if you put a straight edge up against it:


Test fitting the original design to see how it fits up in the dash contours


Another angle


Sanded, painted and a smoked plexi lens added to it


Partially lit up at night (I set the shift rpm to something liow to gt it to show more lights at a lower rpm than normal, the leds go to orange then red, matching the atari dash and then they all flash when you it the shift point)

 

Send the file to me. I can make it from any material you like. Aluminum seems to be popular.

 

^^^^
I'll send you a message.

 

I need this complete cover except it needs to be for 1985 Firebird... 2568seven4488six

 

I have read some great ideas on this. I bought my printer about a year ago. I read most of this thread. I will be learning with ABS, ASA, PETG and ABS carbon fiber. I learned about oil and gas resistant filament. In car temperatures do get about 120-135, a guess. ASA will handle the temps and are design to not fade from UV’s. My printer was a kit and no cabinet included. I built one so I can better control it’s environment. I will now be able to print with better materials that are hard to print.

 

Shielding extruder from a draft helps control printing temps

I used duct board and a hot glue gun


I got lucky and was given some polymer for windows.

 

Kinda basic, but it would be cool if someone made those plastic ignition and door key caps. I know you can get them cheap online, but being able to print them in a bigger variety of colors would be pretty cool.

 

Yes color match your car. I’m thinking TPU or another flexible filament. I must say though SLA, Resin printing would definitely give you that texture.

 

Stuffs looking good keep it up. ive enjoyed watching this thread. Two things ive encountered to always want would be the 91ish trans am gauge trim rings and would be neat for camaro/firebird if the center console piece could hold gauges like the 1st gens had

 

Not to hijqck but I make aluminum trim rings.

 

I like that idea, very Kool. I put a vacuum and voltage gauges in a 2nd gen of mine. It was nice. Never was big on the a-pillar setup. I done SLA resin printing would do and better finish for this app.

 

Hi there,
is anyone making the replacement Formula hood bulge block-off plate to make it a functional vent? I saw it in thingiverse, is anyone printing it? I would like to buy one.

 

is there a way for me to access this design and print it? That's sick

 

I can turn the rings out of alu?minus with some dimensions

 

Sure, uploaded it for you. I don't remember how in depth this design was. I don't think there's an attachment method build into the model. This was just an idea I had. So don't expect it to be ready to go.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5229248

 

Some very Kool ideas on here. The comment of gauges like the first gen is interesting. I am going to make a gauge pod for the hood on my 89 GTA. Another nostalgic touch of ol' school. I also am wondering about the front louvers on this hood. What if they could become functional ram air vents?

 

Has anyone considered printing 82-84 Firebird ground effects?

I really like them, but original ones would probably be really expensive and it would just we wrong to put those on my '91 V6 anyways.

So a 3D file for those would be amazing.

 

Just wondering, does anyone know of a STL for the manual window blanks that some cars had?
I converted my car to power window, but still have the manual window holes in my door panels. Would love to fill these holes with something that looks OEM. If there is anything that says Camaro that would be a bonus.

 

That's a cool idea, I may need this if/when I ever go back to power windows. Do you have a picture? I might draw one up when I'm bored.

 

I'm trying to find a picture of them.
I know I've seen Firebird ones before but not cant' find them. I'll keep looking hopefully I can find something. Would really like to clean up my panels.

 

Just found this post on the forum
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/inte...oor-panel.html

something like that but for a Camaro instead.

 

Looks like something I could do in the injection machine. Could even make and bond the steel retainer to the back like that too. Only issue would be the epoxy graphics in the middle.
Might try to make them just for fun.

 

l69 dual ducts

 

This why I have ventured into the 3D realm. Sometimes you want something different. the big thing to remember is that UV light and temperature is a big factor. choice your printing materials wisely. Is anyone using a Resin printer? I am still looking for a good one I can afford and still make decent size parts.