The best way to reverse engineer is to use a touch probe and get data points of the part to get the measurements. I was sitting at my desk using dial calipers and a couple of straight edges to draw the model. Before we put any finish on a part, I recommend a printed part first, to confirm the design will mount to the three studs, fit correctly to the opening of the consolette, fit with an original lower boot ring and hold the boot in place. If we put a powder coat on a top ring that doesn't fit, we have junk for the shelf. If you want to test the powder coating on the abs printed part, I still think using one of Kerry's lower boot part as a test is covering that experiment and the quickest way of testing Powder Coating. I want to "tweek" my part one more time. First I want to triple check my dimensions, then I think we should see if our best buddy Kerry can print one of my parts to confirm the design. Troy
I have finished tweaking my part. I have sent a STL file to Kerry in the hopes he can print a part. Troy
Printed the upper ring today, I had a lower one from before when I was playing around with these. One hole may be off but easy fix. There are some companies that advertise that they can plate 3d printed material on the internet. Troy I can send these to you to check out or ?
WOW Kerry, that looks great!!! Thank you for such a fast turn around. I will email you my shipping address and I will need a paypal account email from you to send you shipping money. I will put it on my consolette and make any adjustments to the model. Troy
This is very exciting! I read the article a few months ago where Jay Leno was talking about using a 3D printer to reproduce hard to find parts..... To see it in action here is awesome! Thanks for the updates. I am watching with interest.
Troy, PM sent regarding stamped steel lower boot ring... Kerry, Thank you for providing an AWESOME look'n piece...! :gp: When Troy gives his approval for fit and tolerances, perhaps send one to me and I will have it powder coated in Chrome... Ya guys, this is definitely getting interesting! :Brow: Wheelz, Tampa Bay
Hey Troy! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! btw, since I havent heard anything from you, I needta ask, did you receive the LOWER STAMPED STEEL ring I sent ya??? Wheelz, Tampa Bay
Kerry, Troy and others. DEEP Discussion with my powder coating specialist over the weekend, he has informed me of a few concerns. CURING TEMPS. For chrome like Powder Coating finishes to 'correctly cure' they need oven baked at 450 degrees and THAT may cause an issue with the 3d materials. possible MELT DOWN of the part? He can test another product that cures for a longer period of time at a lower 200 degrees, but not sure what the finish will look like in the end. What is composite material of the ring used in the 3D process? Do you know the chemical breakdown Limitation under HIGH TEMPS?? AND do you Kerrie, by chance have a busted sample of the 3D material you could send a long with the rings, as a TEST PIECE?? Wheelz, Tampa Bay
ABS plastic is the material, I will try to get the material data sheet on it to understand the material properties. Here is another idea for chrome: http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-spray-chrome-a-3D-print-with-Cosmichrome/ http://www.stratasys.com/solutions/finishing-processes/electroplating
I have contacted a company that will print and plate 3d printed parts. I have sent them a file for them to use as a quote for chrome plating; I told them I could provide the part. The company is Stratasys.
Kerry, My brother who designs low voltage HVAC Commercial drive units for chiller valve controls asked me WHY are we not asking our 3D printer guy, to print prototypes using metallic/alum instead of ABS? He has witnessed this process on a few occasions with pretty good results... if your 3D printer fello used metallic/aluminum 3D materials for a lack of correct terminology... if this process would be an option, then the highlighted ring area could then simply be polished... no plating needed and the part would be quite a bit more rigid than ABS.... o No: justa thot. Wheelz, Tampa Bay
sounds interesting, I only thought of ABS because that is all I have to use as material. I can ask the guy doing quote about this. His quote came back today and was very high for printing and plating, he would have to send it out to be plated. I have contacted plating rep to get a direct quote. Not the best of pictures but here is one we made out of billet aluminum on cnc mill
Here are the quotes I received, hopefully we have some internal sources that will pop up for plating as it is very high. 3d printed part sanded and prepped for plating: $130 Same part plated as well: $817 Aluminum type 3d printed part unfinished: $175 same sanded and polished: $350 These are all top rings. I would think a billet aluminum top ring and 3d printed lower ring would hold up fine. You could polish the aluminum or chrome it. Just my 2 cents.
I have some contacts in the Manufacturing business CNC & Water Jet & plating .If you want email me @ ivylandcollision@yahoo.com Nick
You stated: 3d printed part sanded and prepped for plating: $130 Same part plated as well: $817 $817?? was this a typo??? Wheelz, Tampa Bay
