BPT

Nice work, 3D printing works very well for making special fixtures to hold parts for machining also. Very commonly used in manufacturing to fixture special parts. BPT

I agree with Ahebron, the ender 3 is a very capable machine. Materials are not too expensive but material type is critical if you are going to make parts for our classic cars that have a function. PLA is OK for prototyping but can't stand much of any stress or heat. There are materials like ASA, nylon and polycarbonate that are excellent for vehicle use. There are a number of slicers that are very good and free. Simplify 3D is very good but way over priced and you don't really need it. I use 5 different slicers. There are also quite a few free engineering programs and Fusion 360 is one of best "free" versions but the free version has limitations. If you are going to use online sites like Thingiverse, you'll be making "trinkets" and fun things but not too many practical objects. I use my printers (5) for making parts for my two classic Triumphs that our usual vendors no longer make. All 5 of my printers were all paid for by selling these parts. My son has 8 printers and all were paid for selling specialty objects he created. So if you can find a "niche" market, there is money to be made. Printing is not a fast process but well worth the effort if you create useable objects. There isn't a day that at least 2 of my printers are constantly running as I create new parts for the Triumph community. BPT

Recent info in the 3D-ALL3DP newsletter, even the 7 grand scanners aren't accurate enough for close tolerance models. I make parts that have internal structure, even a slot in the bottom of a part will not show up with a scanner as it only sees surfaces the camera can see. So for objects like shown in the video, it does give a decent representation. You still need a program like Fusion 360 of other mesh mixer to turn an object into an STL file. I may be old fashion but I personally like reverse engineering the part to get all the details and to close tolerance. BPT

The Ender 3 is a very good machine, only limit is it's smaller size but most of the parts we need for these cars are small parts that our usual suppliers may not invest in. Having a CAD system may be the hold up but there are free programs available. Don't need to be a whiz kid to use them. Usually there are a few engineering types in the various clubs, then a few with printers. Get teamed up and then make rare parts as they present themselves. The possibilities are huge. BPT

That's a good application for printing in TPU. Unfortunately this thread doesn't get a lot of activity in the UK, not sure why. On the forums in the US, there are a number of enthusiasts using printers now and re-creating all sorts of parts. The possibilities are endless. Here are a couple of the latest creations. BPT

I took a shot again at making the "semi-clear" lens for this dome light assembly. After a number of attempts, I think I have a lens that is good enough that I'd use it in my GT6. It's not exactly the same as the OEM lens, I altered the design a bit, but I was able to create it with a semi-clear center section and "frosted" on each side of the center. For the purists it may not be adequate. It actually passes more light than the OEM lens. I used a filament called "T-Glase" which has some glass like qualities. The lens rotates just like the OEM lens does so depending on where it is rotated, there is a different lighting effect. I prefer to use a 27 diode LED bulb. This "T-Glase" may be useful for other NLA lenses for classic cars. It does come in several colors including red but no Yellow. Printing isn't fast but until someone takes on the task of injection molding certain lenses, this may be helpful. BPT

Agree, Same person has posted on our website on this side of the pond. Porsche and Mercedes already have a catalog of 3D printed parts for their classic cars. He's in Germany so might be better if he contacted them for information. BPT

YIKES!! There is a new listing on ebay (US) for a "new" old stock dome light assembly. They want $200.00 plus shipping. These lights must be worth their weight in gold now. This is ridiculous. BPT

Hope someone purchases that assembly. They don't come up for sale very often. That's an excellent price. BPT

Now is someone would find a source for the clear lens this GT6 light assembly could be taken off the endangered species list. The printed lens just isn't good enough. BPT

Aidan, Took some time this afternoon to finish up this project. Made up the terminals so I now have complete 3D printed bases. Wish those original clear lenses weren't so hard to come by. There is a club member in the US that has injection mold experience and I'm hoping he'll take on the challenge of making nice clear lenses. When I can get hold of some white ASA filament I'll be able to make some white bases. BPT

Here is the link to this new facility. BPT https://www.thedrive.com/news/38154/gm-opens-its-first-major-3d-printing-facility-for-production-car-parts

Peter, the possibilities are wide open for 3D printing. Young people looking for a future career should be looking at engineering and 3D curriculum. GM in the US just opened up it's first dedicated 3D printing facility. BPT

Hi John, thanks for the link. Designing parts that can be 3D printed in metal is quite a science. I've looked into this and there are several companies here in the US and I'm sure across the pond that provide the service but from what I've read is rather expensive. The material (filaments) used are metal infused (sintered) and there are precise "shrinkage" calculations required in the model. The finished 3D print is then sent off to an outfit that has the equipment to "bake" the part and the soft filament is melted out and the metal is fused together. Materials as strong as titanium can be done. MatterHackers is one company in California that provides the metal infused filaments and has the equipment to finish the part. But from what I've researched is likely too expensive for our British car enthusiasts. Porsche frequently uses this process for some of their classic car 3D printed parts and they have bigger pocket books than we do. Better plastic type materials are constantly being developed that will be nearly as good as aluminum strength. On one of my printers that can reach high temperatures (300 C) I routinely print Nylon Cast Plate (13,400 psi tensile) filament and PC (polycarbonate) which are very strong filaments. There are real expensive filaments like PEEK that the space program uses but requires very high temperatures to process (400C and up) and those printers cost $10,000 and up. For now, I stay mostly with making simple parts like knobs. polyurethane gaskets and other parts that need to function but don't require structural safety needs. As I mentioned before, I've produced over 85 separate part numbers for Triumphs, GT6-Spitfire-TR6-TR250,TR7-TR8. One of my printers is usually always running. My wife thinks I'm addicted to 3D printing. She's probably right. But on the other hand, when she's needed something made for the kitchen or other projects around the house, I design and print what she needs so she's happy. BPT

Appears that the TSSC group already has the talent to start. You have Jim-GT6, he has the design skills, John D has the organizing ability. I'm sure there are many others that will be able to help out. Keep in mind that the people that have the equipment will need printers that can use the more sophisticated materials. The basic printers use PLA material which is OK for prototypes but useless for any car parts. This material will deform in sunlight so the printers used must be able to use PETG, ABS, ASA, Nylon, PC. Material choice is very important depending on the part function. Size does matter here also. Most all printers can handle a part 8" square but the larger the part the more expensive the part becomes and the bigger the machine required. There are costs associated with printing, the machines require maintenance, electrical costs, filament materials vary etc so most can't do the printing for free. If you do send parts out to the commercial vendors, I think you will find their costs very high as Aidan found out. So keeping your efforts in house will be essential. BPT