3D Printed Parts Survey

[sert57]

a tool kit for the trunk that you could customize for other tools would be neat.

[e30davie]

Ive got a 3d printer myself and i dabbled with making little widgets here and there. The issue i think is that 3d printed parts by nature dont have the best texture to them, they are made in layers so you'll always see the layers. Make the layers small enough and it can look ok, but it wont match the rest of the interior parts on the car.

Best idea ive seen is to hit it with some spray bog, sand it back and then paint it with good paint. but its alot of effort when it might be easier to just track down a new/good condition OEM replacement piece. Or you hit it with an alcantara/swede/leather covering.

Proptotyping and making moulds i think is where 3d printing is at the moment in the automotive industry, not necessarily producing finished pieces. Unless of course its where texture doesnt matter. The remote control plane/car/drone guys are having a ball with 3d printed parts. Though i have made a few brackets and bits and bobs for my car with the 3d printer but they cant be seen etc.

[noid]

Ive got a 3d printer myself and i dabbled with making little widgets here and there. The issue i think is that 3d printed parts by nature dont have the best texture to them, they are made in layers so you'll always see the layers. Make the layers small enough and it can look ok, but it wont match the rest of the interior parts on the car.

Best idea ive seen is to hit it with some spray bog, sand it back and then paint it with good paint. but its alot of effort when it might be easier to just track down a new/good condition OEM replacement piece. Or you hit it with an alcantara/swede/leather covering.

Proptotyping and making moulds i think is where 3d printing is at the moment in the automotive industry, not necessarily producing finished pieces. Unless of course its where texture doesnt matter. The remote control plane/car/drone guys are having a ball with 3d printed parts. Though i have made a few brackets and bits and bobs for my car with the 3d printer but they cant be seen etc.

You can acetone vapor ABS to become smooth.

[e30davie]

Interesting.

I wonder if you can maintain tolerances using that method. Depends what you are making i suppose as to weather that is an issue or not.

[vtechnik]

That's really cool. The one on the left almost looks like a piece of ceramic. I also like the tool box idea mentioned above.

[digger]

most 3D printers people buy for home projects are toys and the quality is average with limited materials. a high end machine makes some good parts and some materials are quite impressive

[varg]

What kind of plastic did you use?

I didn't print it, but if I had to guess based on appearance I'd say it's ABS.

I only just ordered my first 3D printer, once I have it and start printing I'm sure I'll be able to identify materials a little better.

[jgilber0]

Convertible top strut sleeve. NLA and generally needed when replacing the struts. ABS would probably be a good choice.

P/N 54311943751



Description here: https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...e/54311943751/

[ainadude]

Since we're fantasizing ... dashboards (wouldn't that be nice?)

[McGyver]

I've been meaning to make a replacement of the plastic section of the rear pop-out window latches. I've had a half broken latch on my desk for months, just haven't gotten around to modeling it yet.

But I do have a 3d printer in the cube next to me!

Item 4:

[me_john85]

The left and right convertible flapper piece.

[LowR3V'in]

Tweeter pods like factory.

[Kershaw]

Like this?

https://squaredmotorwerks.com/products/m50-tps-adapter

I'm not sure how well this plastic would stand up to heat. I'd have to find dimensions and someone to test it for awhile through heat cycles.

Why bother with plastic at $27 when aluminum ones are $35?

http://racehead.com.au/products-page/parts-and-accessories/m20-bmw-adapter-or-e36-tps-for-stand-alone-ecu/

If the plastic one was $15, I'd say there would be a reason to get plastic.