3D printed Spider parts

[dickykitch]

So I decided we needed a 3D printer at work

First thing I tried, for no particular reason other than I had one in my hand when I thought about it, was a gas pedal bracket.



With a little bit of fettling I think it would be quite usable. One thing I learned is that it's probably better to make holes slightly undersized and then drill them out. It feels very strong, though I'm not sure I'm ready to try safety-critical parts just yet.

Since my Spider restoration is still quite early on, I haven't yet come across all the little plastic parts that no doubt I have lost or broken since I took the car apart 20 years ago. So does anyone have any ideas of what hard-to-find parts might be usefully modeled and printed? This particular machine (Ultimaker 2) will print up to about 8" x 8" x 8". Big components would take a LONG time to print. The pedal mount took about 1.5 hours.

Richard

[RRoller123]

That is very cool. What is the actual material? An epoxy or something similar?

[dickykitch]

That is very cool. What is the actual material? An epoxy or something similar?

It's PLA (Polylactic acid), which is a thermoplastic particularly suitable for 3d printing. It's available in lots of colors.
The machine will also print in ABS apparently, though I haven't tried that yet (I don't have any ABS filament).

[MrJD]

very cool

[garion]

Stop stealing my business ideas!

I've thought about trying my hand at metal casting.. I think that the timing belt cover would be a good start.. Maybe an aluminum version, maybe split in the middle so you can check it without having to drain the coolant... Random thoughts....

[speedracer]

I think that 3D printing is going to be the next big technical revolution.

Think of the possibilities! In the coming years, constructing nearly anything will be possible and the amount of time needed will come down greatly. I have to invest in this technology!

Great job by-the-way dickykitch!

[dickykitch]

Great job by-the-way dickykitch!

Thanks, I'm quite proud of it!

[FiatJB]

Those plastic plugs and pins used to hold door panels to the metal inside part of the door
Whenever you pry out door panels, the barbs break off and your lucky if you can get them out whole
I had to go to Ford to get 4 of them for an older Escape. They are expensive and you can't find them at auto part suppliers

[Redline]

That is very cool. What is the actual material? An epoxy or something similar?

It's PLA (Polylactic acid), which is a thermoplastic particularly suitable for 3d printing. It's available in lots of colors.
The machine will also print in ABS apparently, though I haven't tried that yet (I don't have any ABS filament).

PLA breaks down by hydrolysis in contact with water (or even the water vapour in the air). Within 4 months it probably has no strength and within a year it's probably dust. That's why it is used for some medical implants which need to serve a purpose for some time (like a bone fracture plate) and then should just disappear, rather than have a second operation to remove it.

[dickykitch]

PLA breaks down by hydrolysis in contact with water (or even the water vapour in the air). Within 4 months it probably has no strength and within a year it's probably dust. That's why it is used for some medical implants which need to serve a purpose for some time (like a bone fracture plate) and then should just disappear, rather than have a second operation to remove it.

Ahh, didn't realise it was as biodegradable as that. I guess ABS would be a better choice of materials then.

[bjbrown]

I too have been thinking about 3D printing some of the diddley little parts that Fiat produced for our cars. For example: my 850 spider has an escutcheon around the door lock button that is impossible to find (although Mr Fiat offers something "similar"). Each side is the mirror of the other.


And there's the plastic part of the 850 spider convertible top latch that often breaks under ham-handed PO's. Here, I've reproduced the part from a solid block of high-density material.


And recently, as I was restoring the braking system on my 124 spider 2000, I broke one of the clips that hold the brake reservoir to the bracket.


I think these are ideal sorts of small parts to reproduce using the new technology. It'll just take drawing out the part on some CAD system and then getting access to a printer that will make them in an appropriate material. I heard that the local library has printers becoming available for public use...

[76was124]

If you could do rubber, all the windows molding would be nice.

[bjbrown]

76was124,
I haven't heard that 3D printing can produce rubber parts - that would be awesome! Actually, most of the important rubber parts are still available for the spider where many of the hard plastic bits aren't.

Richard, what software did you use to describe the pedal mount? That really looks like you did a fantastic job. I recently downloaded the free software called SketchUp, but haven't taken the time to learn it yet. I found out about it from a local resource called the ReUseum here in Boise. They collect and sell all kinds of industrial surplus but also host classes and clubs where their equipment (including the 3D printers they make) can be learned and used. Quite an incredible resource.

[76was124]

76was124,
I haven't heard that 3D printing can produce rubber parts - that would be awesome!

It's amazing what they can 3d print now, metals, ceramics, human tissue (in fact some special ones have printed dna strings).

Link on rubber-like at:. http://www.stratasys.com/materials/polyjet/rubber-like

Others at:. http://3dprinting.com/materials/metal/3 ... ing-metal/