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  1. #1
    FEP Senior Member rodster's Avatar
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    Default 3D printing and Fox body cars

    I was reading about HP's new Metal Jet Printer and wonder how long it will be until the Fox body aftermarket parts guys start utilizing the 3D printing technology? The price point to use this technology is coming down and it's not a matter of if they will use it, it's when.

    Will be exciting times when Fox body items like SVO outer lights are available again and maybe a metal version of the original plastic quadrant. The list goes on and on.

    Let's hope this happens while the Fox body enthusiasts are alive and well. The hobby would take off!


    Monday, printing giant HP announced it's entered the market with the ambition to dramatically lower prices, courtesy of a $400,000 product called the Metal Jet."We're really going to enable mass production for mainstream metals, in particular steels," said Tim Weber, head of 3D metal printing for HP.



  2. #2
    FEP Super Member gr79's Avatar
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    Relying on using computers to do everything is just not feasible. Dreamers.
    Programming is too time consuming, expensive, especially for doing one time tasks.
    Teaching machines to learn what humans already know and do faster is not fun.
    3D can work great for some items, but not most.
    Personal 3D machines are an interesting tool.
    Hope the tech gets more common and simple to use like a household item.

    Sure its flexible but is that really faster than traditional methods of mfg parts?
    Where will the people and time needed for the 'new way' come from?

    Aftermarket will feed the loudest, most popular, profitable first.
    Thinking of a car show.
    How many cars could use a custom part, a better version of OEM, or simply a n/a replacement item? Many.
    Who knows. Tech moves in funny ways.
    Would have to come down way in cost, time spent, and be a commonly available service.
    And not take weeks, months, years, to actually reverse engineer and make a one off item with correct materials.
    People are going to want bowling balls, house items, anything. Medical. Everyone.
    Creating design files will be an industry in itself.
    Create an exact part when a copy or print does not exist anymore?


    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Replicator_(Star_Trek)
    https://www.google.com/search?client...w=1152&bih=677

  3. #3
    FEP Power Member conmech's Avatar
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    Default

    I see Capri and Mustang moulding pieces starting to pop up.
    conmech - aka Marshall
    Pending build-1983 Mercury Capri RS NOT staying as it left the showroom floor......
    Sonic blue pearl, sand beige, netted halos, FR500 wheels and shiny under the hood.

  4. #4
    FEP Senior Member rodster's Avatar
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by conmech View Post
    I see Capri and Mustang moulding pieces starting to pop up.
    That's a good sign!

  5. #5

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    My dad has like 10 3d printers.

    Interestingly enough, we use them to build structural parts to model airplanes.

    The first model my dad owned was developed specifically to fix a broken plastic part on a window switch because they wanted too much for the part at the dealer.

    Its really not that hard. We've printed and sold over 100 motor mounts for planes that we custom designed.

    Its out there, available and cheap. Look up thingy verse and type in cup holder. Thousands of free to download files. Im willing to bet mustang would return similar results.

    Just a matter of time before it goes main stream. Jay Leno uses them a lot also.
    2 1986 cougars (both 4 eyed and 5.0)
    1 1987 cougar

  6. #6
    FEP Super Member gr79's Avatar
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    3D printing looks to be interesting as a home hobby or more.
    Now that's when a pc, software, and hardware can pay for itself.
    A long way from the Mattel Vac-U -Form toy days.
    Was not aware of online STL file databases for items has started. Very good news.
    Or the growth of online printing services.
    Home version 3d machines, running demos at a local Micro Center, are interesting.
    I picture them as a bench tool to go with the drill press, band saw.

    Creating or scanning to make a file is the sticking point.
    Need a easy way to scan for the 3d model file if replicating a one-off item.

    Noticed Dupont Zytel and Delrin are available as filament.

    Possible parts:
    -A spare ds armrest in non foam ABS. Maybe wider flat part too.
    Dashpad that fits and wont crack.
    Center caps
    Seat belt covers
    -Model of our cars body shell to AFX slot car body, 1/43 or 1/83 for toy train diorama, 1/25 static display.

    Replaceable assy items that cracked, broke, wore out and are long obsolete or rare to find.
    For keeper items stashed in the storage boxes that would work again or better if repaired.
    That one little plastic or metal part rendering a nice item inactive.
    -Replacement plastic spur gear for cracked one in 8 sheet paper shredder that otherwise works perfectly.
    -Broken vent end of housing that also supports motor in a vintage Wen Supersaw. Dropped it once.

  7. #7
    FEP Super Member cb84capri's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by conmech View Post
    I see Capri and Mustang moulding pieces starting to pop up.
    RS mouldings and the marker light mouldings would be amazing.

    Cale

  8. #8
    FEP Super Member erratic50's Avatar
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    There are links to a few 3D parts on here. Also stuff like Enkei/ARE/Riken Center caps.

  9. #9

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    Hi
    It would be great to have a machine at home, when the prices drop, however dont you need a CAD drawing of the part for the printer to re-produce it? That will probably become more expensive than the 3D printers! Maybe someone can come up with a 3D photocopier/scanner or do they already exist, I mean they do color Tv's these days......
    People who say it cannot be done should not get in the way of the people doing it!

    1979 Mustang 2.8V6
    2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.7 limited

  10. #10
    FEP Super Member gr79's Avatar
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    Read schools have them. Use non toxic plastic or something. Do kids play with clay or Play-Doh anymore?
    https://www.makerbot.com/stories/edu...ct-case-study/

    I picture this home 3d thing following an evolution curve similar to the early home pc or TV, only slower.
    Early ones crude, slow, expensive, limited choices. Later versions lower cost or same and more powerful.
    Business, govt always have had the costly big stuff years ahead of home use.
    Same with pc printer timeline. Dot matrix, laser, color laser. Unit plus features.
    Or phones.

    Same as a pc printer, will sit and do nothing without telling it what to do like pc software and human input does.
    Using CAD to create is like writing software code.
    How many have time and talent to do code something like MS Office?
    Unless one can find a file already done.
    Toy heli, rc car parts, replacement dryer knobs already possible.

    Scanning docs and printing easy with flatbed scanner. Scanner/printer combo be around for years.
    Desktop combo 3d scanner/printers do exist. Practicality unknown.
    http://www.microcenter.com/search/se...l&sortby=match
    So do places that do this as a business. Their product or yours.
    https://www.shapeways.com/product/YF...ionId=43238929

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