3D Printing Metal Parts

My concern is that reproduction Model "A" parts have the same metallurgy, dimensions, assembly fits & finish as the original parts. That is, steel forgings remain steel forgings, heat treatments remain the same, finish machine tolerances are the same as the original, material metal stocks are the same or equivalent to the original. I have seen castings substituted for forgings and that is unsafe! There have been instances were heat treatment has been omitted. It means a lot to me to have a dealer say his parts are reproduced in accordance with or exceed the parameters of the original engineering drawings. If a substitution is made, I want to know the specifics.
 
Today's technology of 3D printing of all various materials will vastly improve It definitely has it's place and it's limitations currently but it's only going to get better and more affordable!!!
 
We have (-and use) a 3D printer in my resto business (-along with a CNC Router Table, A CNC Plasma Table, and a CNC Laser) and that part of the process seemingly is the cheap side. FWIW, our observations are that cheap machines generally mean their consumables are expensive (-and visa-versa).

Having/Owning any of these machines means nothing if you do not have the ability to model the part first and then write the G-code for the machine. We were using Solidworks to draw parts (because of the accuracy and speed) however the seat (subscription) of S/W was approaching $5k annually. Fusion 360 is what we are using now, albeit not as nice as S/W, but it gets the job done. So, the thing is 3D printing is great for prototyping or manufacturing one-off custom pieces however the time it takes to manufacture multiples generally takes too long for it to ever be effective.
 
3D printing of metal might be the right tool for prototypes or one-off items, like a new overhead valve head or a better intake manifold. In the future it may be the way to go for limited production.

By the way, Brent, I love Solidworks. It was the tool that I used exclusively to design complicated automated equipment for manufacturing before retiring.
 
David in San Antonio said:
Looks like 3D printing metal parts has come down in price. ..... Potential for Model A’s?

Looking forward to 3D printing sheet metal body parts. Someday.
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Model As are too cheap for individual 3D printed parts. The cost developing the program and machine time would exceed some craftsman kicking out 1 part the old fashioned way. Now if there is a market for 10-20 of them maybe.


Sheet metal "printing" is here. Down the road when it's cheaper I see it replacing a warehouse of dies and another warehouse of stamped parts. Produce and ship when ordered will become the business model. No extra inventory to sit on for months or years until it's sold.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHivTPn_l8U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bD6zyEhrYfU

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMUoSUX_jyc
 
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In my distant working past stainless steel sheet metal parts for gas turbines were made using a low temperature alloy, akin to pot metal, to form molds for stamping. I can see where using the process that Model A 29 showed, above, could be used to cast molds for production.

I would like to see aluminum sheet metal parts for Model A's, such as fenders. That would save a lot of weight which is important for a low power car like the Model A.
 
Have you seen 3d printed molds for casting? They are a work of art. At least the ones I have seen are. The printer "blows" sand and adds glue where the mold is and stops blowing glue where the cavity is. When it's done you dump out the loose sand from the cavity.
 
I've had some parts 3D printed, but not many. I've found it's much easier to have them CNCed.

Luckily, the manufacturer of my parts is extremely adept at design, so creating the files based on original drawings is minimal. Even when we make a direct copy of a part without the original drawings, they can get them ready for production in a matter of hours.

It's pretty cool to see how the whole process works, for sure.
 
noboD said:
Have you seen 3d printed molds for casting? They are a work of art.
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You can send your file to the mold maker and they ship you the mold to you or your foundry. There is a guy in the Boss 302 forum that makes intakes. He'll do the design and print it in plastic to make sure it's what the customer wants. If they want one he'll machine it out of foam coat it with ceramic and pour it - the hot aluminum burns out the foam. If they want a few he'll get the sand molds made.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ClnmiggRPU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkboqnKQnuU
 
3-D Metal is crazy money, 3-D Plastic is reasonable. I have quotes for both for various small parts and it's $100 to $1 or more. This is for all stages of the 3-D process from development to full on production. Maybe other places it's different but not from my experience here in Michigan.
 
ModelA29 said:
You can send your file to the mold maker and they ship you the mold to you or your foundry. There is a guy in the Boss 302 forum that makes intakes. He'll do the design and print it in plastic to make sure it's what the customer wants. If they want one he'll machine it out of foam coat it with ceramic and pour it - the hot aluminum burns out the foam. If they want a few he'll get the sand molds made.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ClnmiggRPU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkboqnKQnuU
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I have seen a video of this process. Crazy!
 
Hello, 3 d printing in plastic is used for model railroad, printing buildings, railroad car , even engines , but there isn’t a strength requirement on it . I see how the 3d printing might work for replacing pitted broken die cast parts especially on later 1930,s -50,s cars .
 
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