3D Printed Parts!

[jake1234]

I feel like by now I would of seen a lot more 3D printed parts than I actually have. Maybe the technology isnt there yet. Or maybe it is. I dont know. Im not technologically minded. If I knew lots about how computers worked and how 3D printers worked then I would definitly give it a shot. Are the printers hard to use and understand? Is this why there arnt many 3D parts around? I was just thinking of all the parts that arnt made anymore but are in desperate need, Hoover Senior headlight lenses and hoods, Hoover Turbopwer back wheels. Electrolux 600 series parts, the possibilities are endless. I am sure there are a fair few American machines too that are desperatly in need of obsolete parts too. How come you dont think anyone has really tried this yet? I bet if 3D printed headlight lenses for the senior/convertible were sold on ebay they would sell out in a matter of days.

 

[huskyvacs]

The CNC machines and other computer-aided-design equipment needed, plus the injection molding system, is all extremely expensive. The tech is here, but the money you need to buy it doesn't justify the cost of having it to make a few dozen parts.

There is consumer grade equipment but it's only capable of lightweight hobby stuff and not a full blown parts production line.

Also to make good looking parts you need a high quality raw plastic and a capable machine that will not burr or fracture as well.

 

[madman]

Meh, most 3D printing machines that ordinary folks can get ahold of are cheap Chinese crap that are finnicky and unreliable. Not that that's an insurmountable obstacle, but the thing is, most people are not so mechanically inclined to be able to constantly repair and adjust a small piece of machinery, in addition to operating it.

So you have to highly mechanically inclined, for one. Then you also have to good at 3D modelling, which is an incredibly rare skill. Of course anyone can learn anything, and it has gotten easier to do over the years, but still. Add to that if you want to do it right, you need super expensive software that nobody really wants to invest in. So they use the free crap that's not as easy to use.

In short, 3D printing for the lay person is an uphill struggle. At best, it's little more than a hobby to most people. Not really going to be a money maker for anyone. At least not ordinary folks, anyway.

Truth be told, I'd really like to get a 3D printer, as I'm more than capable of operating stuff like that. It's the modelling that turns me off. I learned a bit of it 10 years ago, but I sucked at it, and I kinda don't feel like learning again.

 

[bluecube448]

Ive actually had to do this a few times but mostly with small jobs, like connecting Wessel-Werk attatchments to machines with non-standard hose diamiters. Ive considered it with more complex jobs when I cant get parts for a vacuum but the problem (for me anyway) Is Im not nearly skilled enough to 3D model the complex and oddly shaped parts that some vacuums require. Shown below is a picture of my FlashForge Creator Pro if anyone is in the market for a good, relitivly budget friendly, workhorse printer. Ive had it consistantly running since I got it in december and still no problems!

 

[lesinutah]

3d

Me please. I learned Auto Cad and revitt. I could easily run one. The cost of building a quality one is the problem. You have to have a good processor and graphics card.
If I had one I'd put it to good use.

 

[madman]

A good (enough) computer is pretty cheap these days. My graphics card is an ancient eight years old and it still powers through any video game I can throw at it on high settings. Granted, it was quite a good one in its day. But my point is that you can buy a good, but old, card and it'll be cheap and work fine.

 

[fan-of-fans]

I always thought 3D printing was cool. I'd really like to be able to produce parts for fans and other things that are no longer available and crumbled over the years.

I used to work at a place doing engraving with computer-controlled engravers which used a design software kind of like Revit. It was interesting.

 

[moojuiceuk]

I've been 3D printing things for about 3 or so years. One of the difficulties in reproducing parts is that you either need a part to scan / use photogammetry to get the original item into the computer. That file would then need editing before it could then be printed. Either that, or an object needs to be measured with calipers and sketched in CAD software to make a digital copy of it. I don't own a scanner and I have had little success with photogammetry so I get out the calipers, measure and draw out items from scratch in CAD, such as this:
https://www.prusaprinters.org/prints/31383-sebo-felix-shoulder-strap-insert

Objects like hose adaptors are fairly easily created. Other items would be tricky, such as larged curved dome shapes - plastic hoods from a Hoover Senior / Ranger for example. That is better off re-created using perhaps a moulded cast of an original part then vacuum forming a replacement, or if you have deep pockets, injection moulding.

The strength of a printed part is also not the same as an injection moulded nylon part which might be used for a dirty air fan blade. Prints are made up of layers of plastic and those layer lines are potential points of failure if subjected to impact or extreme centrifugal forces.

That said, it has its uses. Im also still in awe watching the printer at work, even after all this time.

 

[huskyvacs]

Yeah I've bought some 3d printed unique stuff on Etsy that you can't really buy (memory card organizer for my Playstation consoles) and the person that did it just roughed it out on a basic level of 3D printer. You can tell it's been made in layers and its really rough and actually sharp on the edges.

More expensive machines can get you cleaner results with better plastic and molding procedure, but those can cost as much as a new car.

I think if you have parts that need to be 3D-printed, i'd try local printing services that advertise replication services. It's expensive but better than nothing.