3-D printed parts

nellis003

nellis003

Senior Member
Hi all,

I recently took a tour of a company here in Chicago that has a 3-D printing division. They're able to do a lot with 3-D printing these days, especially with more rigid, steel-like materials. Nothing that could support suspension or drivetrain, but door handles, latches, etc.

I had a conversation with the head of the company after the tour, and mentioned the classic car connection. He said he'd be willing to absorb the cost of scanning a hard-to-find part, something that isn't reproduced, and putting it in their archive so it could be created on a one-off basis.

So, here's my question: Do you all have a part in mind that's extremely hard to find and not reproduced? It wouldn't even necessarily have to be a Ford - just something that's kind of the "holy grail" for car guys. And if so, is there anyone out there who would be willing to let this company scan it and return it?

Let me know what you think. This seems to me to be a good resource for that one elusive car part a lot of people need but no one can seem to find. And from what I've seen, the parts can be fairly complex.

I've posted this in the Model A forum as well.

Thanks,
Nick
 
Yes this window winder I need to finish our restoration BUT I would like to get the coordinates program when he is done so my cnc machinist could plug it into his CNC and duplicate it as well.
 

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rockfla said:
Yes this window winder I need to finish our restoration BUT I would like to get the coordinates program when he is done so my cnc machinist could plug it into his CNC and duplicate it as well.
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I was just about to do yours....hope it works out. I could be wrong on this but I thing the 3D printer has the ability to print the handle on the crank all in the same printing.
 
Merc Cruzer said:
I was just about to do yours....hope it works out. I could be wrong on this but I thing the 3D printer has the ability to print the handle on the crank all in the same printing.
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Maybe this is a stupid question, but would the handle on the crank be free and turn? (I don't see how that would work, but these days, who knows?)
 
tubman said:
Maybe this is a stupid question, but would the handle on the crank be free and turn? (I don't see how that would work, but these days, who knows?)
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Some 3D processes start with a bed of powder, then fuse that into a part. It is sometimes possible to have interlocking parts like a spinning handle knob. The clearance between parts is dependent on the process and the 3d printer type.
 
how big can they do and what materials etc?? I'd love to see a 3d printed cylinder head for a flathead...
 
revkev6 said:
how big can they do and what materials etc?? I'd love to see a 3d printed cylinder head for a flathead...
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It can be done very easy/ I saw a program where a racing team had a 3-D but they could not print the whole head so they divided it into 4 sections and then glued all 4 sections together to make the whole head. They were even able to put it on a flow bench and test it before they had it cast. Really cool!!!!
 
The windshield header panel for a 34 Cabriolet is a bear to find. The folks who have a spare believe this component is more valuable than Elvis's gold toilet. I'd be thrilled if this part was being pumped out by a 3D printer.
 
Unless a 3D printer can be linked into a foundry or a metal cutting milling machine how could real metal parts be built? Even if molecular metal deposition is utilized there would be no homogeneity of the metal, but it would consist of layers upon layers of molecules that would lack the strength of real molten formed metal. I think, 3D printing is fine for mock ups for the optimum layout and fitting of components into a structure. Easily formed materials like plastics could be used.
 
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Sintered metal is the term. Also look up additive machining. Amazing YouTube videos that will make any car guy drool with the possibility
 
For rapid prototyping it helps to have models so that they can be checked for fit and used as patterns for casting and copy machining processes. Copy machines are not as common as they used to be. Ford had some wild copy machines like the Keller machine to make new dies for stamping. It copied the model exactly but the model was likely cast iron back in the 20s & maybe plaster models on some. This link has a non Ford example. https://www.loc.gov/item/2017689700/
 
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FrankWest said:
Unless a 3D printer can be linked into a foundry or a metal cutting milling machine how could real metal parts be built? Even if molecular metal deposition is utilized there would be no homogeneity of the metal, but it would consist of layers upon layers of molecules that would lack the strength of real molten formed metal...
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The metal powder is melted and then fused together using a laser or electron beam. It's essentially very, very controlled welding. These processes are used frequently now in the aerospace industry, including on parts used in turbine engines. It would not be unreasonable to expect them to be stronger than a cast part. There are other processes that use a binder material, or a binder that is then melted out and the part sintered.

The major issue is cost. The equipment for metal "printing" is very expensive. The cost for even a small machine can more than the cost of an suburban "starter" house. To create parts such as a flathead head would require a machine with a large print area, which is even more expensive ($1 million or more).
 
I have been scanning parts for some time. and have a small library of rather rare parts available.. Most of which.. are made of wood ;-)

I have 3d printed thousands of items since first having access to a 3d printer in 2004 or so.. furthermore, I have functional 3d printed parts in use on one of my hot rods.. and I have used a 3d printed part to create a tool that allows for the reproduction of a rather rare part recently..

I'm still not rich.. but i can make some neat stuff..

unfortunately 3d printing (and scanning) doesn't make this stuff cheaper.. it just moves some of the requisite skills and required costs from one place to another..
 
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