There is a guy that 3d prints levin badges for around the cost of good condition 2nd hand genuine one
somethings are best left as a rare item. You lose the fun in finding things when they flood the market with fakes
check out my build thread: http://www.ae86drivingclub.com.au/fo...-shuttle-wagon
My AE86 full restoration:
http://www.ae86drivingclub.com.au/forums/showthread.php/79121-Jarrad-s-AE86-resto-project
No but seriously.
It is possible - but I will clear up a few questions.
No - the printer will not print a beautiful, clean and fresh part ready to use.
Different printers, different qualities.
The one from Aldi (Cocoon create) is a rebranded Chinese printer - the Wanhao Duplicator i3 V2.
It's a small build desktop FDM printer. PLA or ABS printing. Fine for knick-knacks and stuff.
I have experimented and printed quite a bit over the past few years. For a nice quality finish - you need to high-fill prime and sand parts. Fit and finish comes down to your modelling ability.
Some details (such as the ribbing on the console lid) will be lost on a desktop printer.
The cost to buy a printer is greater than the cost to bureau print using a service such as Shapeways. There is no reason someone can't model an original clip, upload it to Shapeways, and have it available for people to order to get printed. We just need a person willing to spend the time and money to do some testing. I have not accumulated enough prints through their service to warrant buying a printer. However it is a new-ish (actually been around since the 80's) technology that is rapidly declining in price and becoming more common and available. I believe Harvey Norman and Officeworks now offer printing too.
Many large companies are investing in it (GE, Airbus, the oil and gas industry, toy makers, tesla/SpaceX) and it's gaining traction as an alternative to mass produced parts. Boeing use hundreds of 3D printed parts in the construction of their planes (given, it is SLS metal printing and waaaaay too costly for us to even bother thinking about) because they're one-off/limited production components that cost too much to tool up for. 3D printers also allow for efficiency in models and manufacturing previously un-manufacturable components
I have tested printing some guard clips and the like. Complete waste of time on a desktop printer (using a CubeX Duo - high end FDM), however were very successful using another process. Unfortunately, I can not show you as it is part of project under a non-disclosure agreement.
As for modelling - I used SolidWorks. For printing, a variety of different software is available - but if you're going through a bureau they'll take your STL files and prepare them for print/layer slicing without you having to worry.
It's all very interesting.
Last edited by Jrad; 3rd March 2016 at 06:10 PM.
My AE86 full restoration:
http://www.ae86drivingclub.com.au/forums/showthread.php/79121-Jarrad-s-AE86-resto-project
The lid off the console and eye lids on the headlights are classic examples of what would be useful to print.
Sure there is a bit of work afterwards, but that is also part of the fun of building cars.
Ae86 Drivingclub - Toyota AE86 Car Club where AE86 | KE70 | Toyota 86 / GT86 | Subaru BRZ | Scion FRS owners
I'm not against it I just think its next decade where cutting edge stuff really finds its application. I wanna see an 8 foot bed that 3d prints my kitchen cabinets.
Guess you'll be glad to hear that they're 3D printing prefab houses now
My AE86 full restoration:
http://www.ae86drivingclub.com.au/forums/showthread.php/79121-Jarrad-s-AE86-resto-project
Is it cheaper than building a similar prefab house?
I agree we aren't there yet where you can take something off the printer and install it, but I also know it is only a few years away.
Ae86 Drivingclub - Toyota AE86 Car Club where AE86 | KE70 | Toyota 86 / GT86 | Subaru BRZ | Scion FRS owners