21 replies to this topic

[Infinity3000]

When you have access to a 3D printer, you're always trying to think of things to make with it. I have one of these at work at the moment - it's an UP Box.

 

 

It takes rolls of ABS filament and turns them into (just about) anything you can think of. The plastic is extruded at 260 degrees through a metal nozzle and builds up the model layer by layer.

 

You can design your own 3D models using the free website http://www.tinkercad.com, or download other people's designs at http://www.thingiverse.com. Public access to 3D printers is still a bit limited - maybe try your local library!

 

 

So if you've ever tried to change the gear knob on your WRX, you'll find it has one of these plastic doohickeys on the bottom which holds up the leather shift boot:

 

 

 

Here's an adaptor I made to enable the Momo gear knob to do the same thing. Bit of a rough finish but you won't see it anyway:

 

 

 

And here it is clipped into the bottom of the gear knob:

 

 

 

Voila - a perfect fit.

 

You can download the model here - it's an STL file which is a standard file type for 3D printing

http://www.thingiver...om/thing:901739

 

 

 

Feel free to add your own models to this thread!

[CRUISN]

Cool.

[Infinity3000]

Part II

 

I couldn't find a gauge holder to mount my boost gauge where I wanted, so I designed this one. I've spray painted it black and just screwed it onto the steering column. I've provided two different mounts you can print, either a flat base one or a curved one like I've used. (Ignore the mount in the first pic, that was an incomplete prototype)

 

The holder is tilt adjustable and there are more instructions on the Thingiverse page (link at the end)

 

 

 

 

Tucked nice and low so I can still see the redline ;-)

 

 

 

Download the model here:

http://www.thingiver...om/thing:627278

 

 

And stay tuned for my next project - fog light covers

[Adam]

Awesome! Always wanted a 3d printer. Never had a use though

[nickknack]

Cool. I've used them at uni but never really been happy enough with the finish of the products to use on my car. The printers in question are getting a bit dated though!

[aekOne]

thats really cool. i want one

[Liberty]

Do you know how strong the plastic is? This is definitely a cool thing.

[Niko]

ABS is the same plastic lego is made of Gaz, so as strong as that.

 

You can get a 3D printer for $999. I was looking into them last week to see if there was any money in printing parts for enthusiasts.

[Reevesy]

I saw one at Jaycar for $999. Can do only relatively small pieces from the looks of it.

[nickknack]

Except lego is injection moulded, and therefore stronger

ABS is the same plastic lego is made of Gaz, so as strong as that.

 

You can get a 3D printer for $999. I was looking into them last week to see if there was any money in printing parts for enthusiasts.

[Niko]

Except lego is injection moulded, and therefore stronger

Yeah true, injection moulding is a lot stronger.

[Liberty]

Ah fair enough. I was kinda thinking it to be the same texture as LEGO actually.

 

How big is the $999 3D printer you guys are talking about? What would be the biggest item you could make in it for example?

 

How much did it cost you to make those two items, Infinity3000?

[Reevesy]

The jaycar one is 200 cubic mm

[Infinity3000]

Do you know how strong the plastic is? This is definitely a cool thing.

  
With 3D printers the strength can be varied - you can set the thickness of the external shell, as well as the density of the internal structure. Hollow objects print with a lattice framework inside. It's a balance between how strong you need the part to be, and how long it takes to print. Both of these parts are plenty strong enough for their intended use.

How big is the $999 3D printer you guys are talking about? What would be the biggest item you could make in it for example?
 
How much did it cost you to make those two items, Infinity3000?

We charge by the print time - $1 for 10 minutes (plus GST I think). The gear knob adaptor took 14 minutes to print, so costs about a buck fiddy. I can't remember how long the gauge holder was, at least an hour and a half, maybe $10-12. But they were printed for "testing" purposes ;-)

The printer we have has a build volume of 255 mm width, 205 mm depth, 205 mm height.

[Liberty]

Wow, that's a lot better than I thought! Not bad at all in the pricing department either. How much does the actual plastic cost?

[Infinity3000]

We buy genuine UP filament as we have had problems with cheaper filament not extruding properly. It costs $83 per kilo to buy in bulk. Theoretically you could print 400 gear knob adapters out of 1 kilo of plastic :-)

[Liberty]

That's heaps good. I wonder how much of a bad impact this would have on the car dealer parts department, at least for plastic bits and pieces. Especially if they're of the same or better quality.

 

Are we expecting some SubyClub bulk orders?

[Saber]

Interesting...

Iv been toying with the idea of getting some custom fog light holders done up.. might have to look at this! 

[Morgan]

Awesome! We had one of these at TAFE. I used to just sit there watching it for ages haha.

Can I pls have 1x Gen 4 GT Spec B wagon k thx.