325iX Mudflap Reps

[EyExR]

I know some people are clicking on this thread like 'YES!'....

But alas, no... I don't have any....

But I'm wondering what it would take to fabricate! With 3D printers and all why not make them? Can anyone do this!? I, and a slew of iXers would be hella stoked! =$$$ in somebody's pocket. So...........

[Bimmer_man]

Yes someone do it we need these!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[e30vert]

First of all there are 2 basic types of filament used with 3 D printers.
1. PLA - Its rigid easy to print - requires no heated bed on the print surface. The one drawback is that when it is heated to above say 150 Degree's farenheight it can and will deform. It essentially begins to remelt . So a killer looking mudflap one moment after a day out in the sun will look like a flabby labia.
2. ABS - Its heat tolerant -requires a heated bed for the part to stick and bond to the print surface. This is essential because if the part being printed does not start out flat and warps on one or multiple edges all subsequent layers of the print follow that warp and can be quite skewed by the time the last top layer is printed.

-A printed part is not silky smooth to the touch and many times it will have the layered look to it as that is what is happening. A layer is overlaid by another layer and so on and so forth. Up close this is easily discernable in all but the most high end printers.

Print bed size! To print this size part one would need a much larger than standard 3D printer. It could be printed in sections and interlocked or glued together like a jigsaw puzzle , but that would look like shit I'm sure.

Print time. So say one had a much larger printer and print surface. It would take a day + to print one mudflap at any potential resolution that would not look terrible.
To print small test cubes it takes hours.

Creating a mold and then injection molding a part of this nature is really the way to go.
ABS can be used and it will be smooth or textured depending on the inner surface of the mold. They can be produced quickly and can be repeated over and over again without too much difference in part quality or look.

[EyExR]

Creating a mold and then injection molding a part of this nature is really the way to go.
ABS can be used and it will be smooth or textured depending on the inner surface of the mold. They can be produced quickly and can be repeated over and over again without too much difference in part quality or look.

Thanks for the info! Then a mold would be the way to go!

Surprised nobody has done this yet... Maybe I'll just have to look into it further.

[brbahner]

i have a set of early model euro mud flaps that are reproduction (oem maybe... idk) but they are a flexible rubber material and are heavy and durable. not sure anyone could easily create a set with a 3d printer or even a mold with plastic. unless you just want thin little plastic ones like subies usually run.

[EyExR]

Well, it would be nice to have ones that are nearly identical to the original iX mudflaps...

[AndrewBird]

No one has made replicas because start-up costs on something like this are extremely expensive. You would have to sell a few dozen sets at least just to break even. Most people aren't willing to invest that kind of money for a niche product.

[EyExR]

No one has made replicas because start-up costs on something like this are extremely expensive. You would have to sell a few dozen sets at least just to break even. Most people aren't willing to invest that kind of money for a niche product.

Guess you're right. But I think selling a few dozen sets of these would be attainable. Especially considering how much coin a genuine pair of iX flaps can fetch.

[Bimmer_man]

if you can get ahold of a set and make your mold and get it going i know id buy them.

[RocketJohn]

Print them and we will buy!

[flyboyx]

man! just found an original one. too bad its only one.

[bradnic]

SUB'd. Yet another mud flap thread. I want my IX flaps dammit. 3d print yo

[jeffnhiscars]

man! just found an original one. too bad its only one.

Which side ? I also have one.

Duel at dawn ?