The advancing technology of 3D printing.
 

I think the cheaper 3D printers use materials such as ABS plastic as their medium.
But have a look at the following videos and see what Koenigsegg of Sweden has been doing. Now possible to use titanium, stainless steel, aluminium as their 3D medium, and there is talk of carbon fibre.

Their twin turbo unit (one section is for high revs, the other for the low rev band) is featured and the internals were all assembled inside the case during the printing.

The world of 3D prototyping and printing has changed the automotive industry. Christian von Koenigsegg explains how his company takes advantage of the new 3D Printing technology, with where he feels the future of the industry is going. It allows him to save on tooling costs and enables him to be "competitive" with the big guys when he has small and variable volumes.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dw6cs7opvzA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNedUZxP8NU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcY9fBt_gWg

What about parts for the Bloodhound SSC land speed record 'car'?

http://www.bloodhoundssc.com/blog/pr...steering-wheel

Above article is mostly about printing the steering wheel but it also mentions them looking to print the air brakes - so subject to a lot more stresses- & I have personally seen a prototype nose cone that is printed from a titanium material.

From what I've heard, the reason 3D printing isn't 'bigger' isn't really about strength but that you still can't just print something & use it (in 'metal' structural items particularly). There are still machining costs on top of outlay for printer & medium etc. So, they are still reserved for designs impossible to produce in another way (in one piece?) & for minimal waste of really expensive material - like titanium.

It's a great technology & just a shame that 'sensationalist' stories about making guns are the main thing the average person has heard about them!

This is worth a viewing.
http://on.ted.com/g0ZDZ

Our dream is to refurbish broken Traction Control Actuators
 

Maybe it would be prudent for me not to mention anything about this until this project is completed. But why not let you know what I have been up to during the past few weeks. It is about refurbishing Traction Control Units. Eighteen drawings and measurements with comments have been prepared and forwarded for this project.

From what I have seen (when visiting a Computer group’s workshop), the lower priced 3D printers use plastic as their medium. These should be all right for making unstressed items such as electrical connectors.

The 75’s Traction Control (when fitted) breaks down over time and need to be replaced. Its cogs are subject to a lot of stress as the gears are brought to a halt by the internal stop bar. The internal cogs in the Traction Control Actuator are plastic and over time, two teeth, in particular are prone to break off, thus relegating the unit to the rubbish bin.

Actuators are not cheap, and a rebuild should be the cheaper option – I hope.

Obviously, we couldn’t justify the outlay to purchase an upmarket 3D printer – one capable of making metal parts.. So a quote is being sought (via an ex-staffer) from the university’s commercial section to print the gears in titanium.

Titanium is not cheap, but as our gears are relatively small, I am hoping that their quote will be within our budget.

Regards,
Egremont. :}

Sounds like a fascinating project. Looking forward to your updates.

If you want any printed in ABS as trial pieces, give me a shout. You can send me the file and I can always post it off to you. An offer if you want it.

Regards Craig.

Thanks for your offer.
 

Thanks for your offer Craig.
I will keep your offer in mind, but will see what the response is from the Uni. If the pricing is not too over the top, I may mention it on this forum in case others may wish to have a set.
Regards,
Bruce.

How's the 3D project coming along egremont?

Hello Baroque Moon,

I made the drawings with measurements and angles noted on the pages.
Progress stalled until recently, due to University staff having annual leave and sickness.
They require CAD documentation before quoting on this project. I hope to collect / have my drawings and parts returned in the next few days. A friend is developing a massive prototype for industry and has offered to have his CAD man do the "paperwork" for me.
Hopefully, we may have an acceptable quote for the production of titanium cogs - soon. If the price is reasonable I will mention it on this forum as others may wish to purchase a set.
Will keep you posted.

Regards,
Bruce.