Will 3D Printers help our spare part problem?

[KazzebaZ]

I recently saw a program in the Netherland about the company "Sheapways". They produce any article with 3D Printers in PVC, metal, etc. Is this forum a place where someone runs such a printer to make our spare parts? And does anyone have expierience with this kind of printer?

[Gate Keeper]

That is a good question and if I had the time I was thinking of it as an investment. It has potential for many applications.

[Heddy]

Well one of the things that seem to be getting rare, unless you want to pay top whack are wheel centre logos. I've been chasing some recently, I had to buy whole centre caps the wrong size just to remove the logos from them. yeah, sounds good.

[Woof25]

well so far as I know the most recent use was to make entire parts for a handgun !! typical of the americans I believe the company has now withdrawn the programme for making the gun. But as you say it may hve some limited applications

[Roverite]

Originally Posted by Heddycdt

Well one of the things that seem to be getting rare, unless you want to pay top whack are wheel centre logos. I've been chasing some recently, I had to buy whole centre caps the wrong size just to remove the logos from them. yeah, sounds good.

I have just bought 4 new badges for my 'Union' alloy wheels for less than £11 delivered. They are being supplied by a fellow member on here and are excellent; actually superior to the originals. Try www.rover75.me.uk . Other badges are available from this source and from other members on here.

Roverite.

[johnstevenjacob]

“The trouble is you can print many items but the mechanical properties will be nothing like the original intent and strength.” - I have to disagree with you on that. There are actually good quality plastic filaments with extra strength characteristics like this Nylon Filament that can be used to create a full bicycle body. Take a look at this filament material from 3D2PRINT: http://www.3d2print.net/shop/product/taulman618/.

[klarzy]

Originally Posted by johnstevenjacob

“The trouble is you can print many items but the mechanical properties will be nothing like the original intent and strength.” - I have to disagree with you on that. There are actually good quality plastic filaments with extra strength characteristics like this Nylon Filament that can be used to create a full bicycle body. Take a look at this filament material from 3D2PRINT: http://www.3d2print.net/shop/product/taulman618/.

Well if you think that a bicycle frame material is capable of taking the stresses and forces involved in an impact situation on a car then you have just made my point for me.

This is just plain dangerous.

Ok we are talking about small parts and not hulking great stress members, but would you want a brake part made of a material not specifically designed for the task?, or put your kids in a car where a steering component has been made from a material which has not gone through years of testing?

No you would not and you would be a fool if you did.

Most parts on any car have gone through extensive development and trials, crumple zones, flexation of cabin parts so they do not collapse and fracture in an accident and become sharp projectiles, linkages and bodies which will not denature under heat or with exposure to UV / fuel or oils / brake fluid, power steering fluid (intercooler O-rings being an example rubber or Viton?) the list just goes on.

You can make a flywheel which looks great, but spin it up to 6 or 7000 rpm and have centripetal force increase the rim weight by a factor of 2-300 and see if it doesn't shatter?

Some people are diving in far too quickly without a full understanding of what is involved, and the companies that supply parts may supply materials spec sheets but do they do a stress and suitability study for each component?,?....

Make a suspension part and tell me the exact forces it will be under in operation, then tell me the environment it will have to operate in (temp / humidity etc.), tell me the materials properties : extension, porosity, compressibility, elasticity, hardness, tenacity, brittleness and malleability and then the suitability of each of these properties for the task the piece is asked to do.

Most can not, as they take a model or drawing, print it and put it in the post with a thank you very much. (but at least you can make the parts in some pretty colours)...

I have spent a good part of the last 10 years considering materials properties in mechanical design and you will not get me knowingly getting into a car where an aftermarket printed part has been fitted to a critical system.

I would trust them as much as a candyfloss seatbelt.

In my honest opinion.

[Jay160]

Originally Posted by Woof25

well so far as I know the most recent use was to make entire parts for a handgun !! typical of the americans I believe the company has now withdrawn the programme for making the gun. But as you say it may hve some limited applications

Not completely

[RKDE]

I own a stratasys 3d printer and while the parts that come off it are a solid ABS and are very strong they will never replace the real thing and this is the same for all rapid prototype items.

I have often printed something off for my car or the odd job and its been fine but I would not use it for anything critical...

3D printing is fine but the trend for the cheap FDM printers has brought many low quality printers out. All 3D FDM printers need a heated chamber or they are useless. Mine is huge but a professional outfit

[spyder]

What if the printed prototype were used for a positive for a mould ?

I am thinking of getting one for my school workshop, lots of cheap models out there. I wonder where the "cheap" ones end and the decent ones starts ?