3D printing is advancing

[Just puttering]

This may be old news but I can't wait to get the bench top model for the garage!

https://industrialmachinerydigest.com/markforged-free-sample-part-2/

What would you make???

[ej95Cobra]

My son 3-D printed a number of items for our build. These include:
- brackets to attach the Canon coolant overflow tank and the CNC brake fluid reservoirs to the upper braces along the hood opening
- a bracket attaching the MSD box to the cross brace above the radiator
- 2 piece Grommet for passing brake fluid hoses, ss brake lines & some wires into the engine compartment
- bracket in the engine compartment with remote battery terminals to attach battery tender (battery is in the trunk)
- a number of 2 piece clamps securing the ss fuel lines and the ss brake lines
These made for clean attachments and look nice.

[KenWilkinson]

Have good ventilation see this article just published

https://www.engadget.com/2016/02/01/study-shows-some-3d-printing-fumes-can-be-harmful/

[Derald Rice]

Not car related, but the Army can 3D print a concrete barracks building in 2 days vs a stick build in 7 days. Not pretty, but functional and cheap.

https://www.dezeen.com/2018/09/05/us-military-3d-prints-concrete-barracks-on-site-technology/

[Clover]

I saw a company recently did a concept set of wheels that were 3D printed from titanium which was super cool. The company was explaining that they normally start off with a ~100lbs. block of aluminum and machine away 80%. When 3D printing, there is very little waste which makes a material like titanium doable, where as cutting wheels from a giant block of it is not cost effective. Now, it is not your standard 3D printer they are using but this could be more common place one day not too far out.

[RAMRobAZ]

I’m looking forward to using my 3-D printer to make Cobra items. Even little assembly jigs are easier with it.

[wareaglescott]

My son 3-D printed a number of items for our build. These include:
- brackets to attach the Canon coolant overflow tank and the CNC brake fluid reservoirs to the upper braces along the hood opening
- a bracket attaching the MSD box to the cross brace above the radiator
- 2 piece Grommet for passing brake fluid hoses, ss brake lines & some wires into the engine compartment
- bracket in the engine compartment with remote battery terminals to attach battery tender (battery is in the trunk)
- a number of 2 piece clamps securing the ss fuel lines and the ss brake lines
These made for clean attachments and look nice.

This sounds awesome. The 3D printing really intrigues me. Could you post some pics of these parts please? What material are they printed in? Is in plastic, any concern with engine compartment heat?

[Mike N]

I saw a company recently did a concept set of wheels that were 3D printed from titanium which was super cool. The company was explaining that they normally start off with a ~100lbs. block of aluminum and machine away 80%. When 3D printing, there is very little waste which makes a material like titanium doable, where as cutting wheels from a giant block of it is not cost effective. Now, it is not your standard 3D printer they are using but this could be more common place one day not too far out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9F2FMIzXw5M

[cgundermann]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9F2FMIzXw5M

That is truly incredible and fascinating! Like Scott, I have been intrigued and kicking around 3D printing...

Thanks,

Chris

[TexasAviator]

There may be a day, in the very near future, that we can share the files that allow you to print out these special parts specifically for the FFR cars. Just think, an open source file sharing site for FFR parts, just click and print. Also there is room for sponsors to then sell their very own version of these parts at great prices and help to the community.

Brandon

[Bob_n_Cincy]

Some guy's I know 3d printed a complete car. This is me in it.
9849398494

The second one is the 3d printed (in case you couldn't figure it out)

The first car belongs to David Riha.
Bob

[Arrowhead]

There may be a day, in the very near future, that we can share the files that allow you to print out these special parts specifically for the FFR cars. Just think, an open source file sharing site for FFR parts, just click and print. Also there is room for sponsors to then sell their very own version of these parts at great prices and help to the community.

Brandon

You can do that now. And if you don't have a printer to can send the file to a printer service.

https://www.thingiverse.com/

People will laugh, but in the future, everything will be printed. Auto parts stores will print your part instead of stocking them. You will have a printer in your home to make everything from clothes to shoes to appliance repair parts. Even complex parts with electrical circuit boards will be possible. Maybe not in our lifetime, but it's just a matter of time. Most of it is possible now, just not large scale or fast enough.

[SSNK4US]

It’ll be just like the Jetsons! ;)

[miller7448]

I was in a ship building facility in August that mounted robotic welders unto the gantry crane systems. Looked like something out of a SyFy movie. In addition to massive seam welding they are now welding small features directly. Things like brackets and stops. They can add up to 8lbs of material per hour per welding head. They are also planning to add a combined 3D welding / CNC work cell. CNC cleans up the surface and drills holes directly after the part is weld/printed.

[FLPBFoot]

The Engineering department at Bradley Univ, my alma mater, is in a NASA competition looking at colonizing Mars. Their project is to look at sending materials and 3D printers to Mars and 3D printing everything from living quarters to transportation equipment. Much easier to send it in bags and make it out there. Amazing stuff.

[Just puttering]

ORNL 3D Prints Working Shelby Cobra Replica (2015)


https://3dprint.com/36433/3d-printed-shelby-cobra/


I ran across this but did not want to start a new thread. then ran across this thread while searching for 3D printer threads.

[J R Jones]

Two caveats:
Not all manufacturing methods yield the same results. A sand casting is fast and cheap, a forging delivers better structure, with smaller cross section. Differing physical characteristics of the same material.
I see the HRE/GE printed titanium was a styling exercise but durability and yield strength? Three years later?
It is hard to believe that electron beam micro-melted material has the physical properties of an ingot forged to shape with tons of pressure.

I sat in on a contract design company's review of a small part manufacturing presentation to sell a machine for printing small batches of parts.
It all looked good until I asked if the material was solvent, antifreeze, petroleum or heat resistant? No it was not.
jim

[lance corsi]

It’s cool for non structural parts. My car will have an absolute minimum of plastic parts. Imo, most collectible cars are from an era before the advent of plastics everywhere. I agree with Mr Jones that printing of metal parts is still far from the structural integrity of billet or forged materials.