http://additivemanufacturing.com/basics is a good place to start.
Jim
Sent from Mail for Windows 10
From: Alistair Bell
Sent: Monday, July 15, 2019 8:53 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Parts availability
That’s good to know ken, I mean that sincerely.
But don’t discount the cheaper printers, they are getting better every day. I can see you having one to make parts to order some day.
Alistair
> On Jul 15, 2019, at 8:48 AM, kenneth wilford (Van-Again) <kenwilfy@comcast.net> wrote:
>
> I am working with a supplier that uses CNC on plastic and metal to makes some NLA parts for us. So far I haven't been able to test any 3D printed parts because we have been able to do things with CNC in metal and plastic. The cheaper consumer grade printers use the low temperature filament, but I am sure there are more expensive units that can use higher temp filaments, just not sure if a small shop would be able to afford something like that. GE uses 3D printing to make turbine blades for some of their Jet engines so pretty much anything is possible (bridges out of metal in Denmark, and even houses out of cement). Just waiting for it to become more affordable for us obsolete parts makers.
>
> Ken
>
>> On Mon, Jul 15, 2019 at 11:44 AM Alistair Bell <albell@shaw.ca> wrote:
>> Oh there are a range of plastics that can be used now. I know a guy that even makes press dies with 3D printing. Kevlar reinforced plastic mix.
>>
>> And the printing idea wasn’t my way of getting round buying from vendors. My point is that it’s potential way to get parts that are NLA.
>>
>> I’ll wager that some vendors will use this method to supply parts for us.
>>
>> Alistair
>>
>> > On Jul 15, 2019, at 8:15 AM, kenneth wilford (Van-Again) <kenwilfy@comcast.net> wrote:
>> >
>> > The problem is the most of the printers use a material that is very similar to what you would find in a hot glue gun. So it is fine for printing small statues that you can put on your desk at your home. But printing a vehicle part, not so much. Think about installing one of these light holders, only to have it melt the first day the van sits in a hot parking lot.
>> >
>> > Of course you can buy a brand new one for not that much money from us on our site here:
>> > https://www.vanagain.com/shop/license-plate-light-holder-for-all-vanagon
>> >
>> > Or you can just ignore this email like the last one I sent.
>> >
>> > Ken
>> >
>> >> On Mon, Jul 15, 2019 at 11:06 AM Alistair Bell <albell@shaw.ca> wrote:
>> >> Can be a few ways...
>> >>
>> >> Small parts can be scanned, 3 d scanned, then imported into a 3D modelling program for adjustment or modification.
>> >>
>> >> Or the part, original, can be measured by hand and drawn up de novo in the 3D modelling software.
>> >>
>> >> Once you have the computer model, it’s then sliced or diced or whatever ;-) by the software associated with the 3D printer used to make the final shape.
>> >>
>> >> That’s a very simplistic overview. I don’t do 3D printing, my day job is taking 3D computer models and making the parts in a cnc mill.
>> >>
>> >> There are companies that will print the parts you want, from files you supply. I think there are links on the thingiverse pages to such outfits.
>> >>
>> >> But Dave, I can see you getting a small printer and having fun during the dark winter months :-)
>> >>
>> >> Alistair
>> >>
>> >> > On Jul 15, 2019, at 7:48 AM, David McNeely <davmcneely40@gmail.com> wrote:
>> >> >
>> >> > So, for those of us who know nothing about 3D printing: Does one require a part for a pattern, or is all the information in the files for making the part? If a pattern, then it seems that the new part would have the flaws of the old part. How were the files generated? From copying a preexisting part?
>> >> >
>> >> > Sorry for my ignorance.
>> >> >
>> >> > mcneely
>> >> >
>> >> >> On Sun, Jul 14, 2019 at 6:23 PM Alistair Bell <albell@shaw.ca> wrote:
>> >> >> I think... I might be mistaken about the source, but I think there are files for 3D printing of that part at thingiverse.com.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> Yup...
>> >> >>
>> >> >> https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:34856
>> >> >>
>> >> >> For at least some of the plastic NLA parts, 3D printing will be our saviour.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> Alistair
>> >> >>
>> >> >> > On Jul 14, 2019, at 5:21 PM, KIM BRENNAN <kimbrennan@mac.com> wrote:
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > On our ancient vehicles I rarely remember that sometimes parts become unavailable. Case i point the little plastic housings for the rear license tag lights. I found one of mine dangling (broken), and went to order from the usual places and “out of stock”. BusLab (in theory) has them, so I ordered a couple of replacements. Hopefully I won’t get a charge back due to them no longer having any….
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > I went to one of my “out of service” Vanagons. Plastic housing (and clear lens and screws) looked like new. Must have been replaced at some point in their life. On the other housing on the Van I was fixing, the screws are stripped, so that will be a fun repair if or when I have to replace the bulb on that side (if it isn’t working right now, it will flunk Virginia safety inspection.)
>> >
>> >
>> > --
>> > Thanks,
>> > Ken Wilford
>> > John 3:16
>> > www.vanagain.com
>
>
> --
> Thanks,
> Ken Wilford
> John 3:16
> www.vanagain.com
