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Obsolete vehicle interior trim parts

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  • 10-04-2021 8:32pm
    #1
    FintanMcluskey
    Registered Users Posts: 8,274 ✭✭✭


    Hi guys

    I don’t know anything about 3D printing but I was told it may be an option for replacement plastic interior trim parts that are no longer available from the vehicle manufacturer.

    Can 3D printing form that type of thing?


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    #2
    banie01
    Registered Users Posts: 16,511 ✭✭✭✭banie01


    If you can model it in 3D software, you can print it.
    The main issue will be modelling, printing is easy.


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    #3
    FintanMcluskey
    Registered Users Posts: 8,274 ✭✭✭FintanMcluskey


    banie01 wrote: »
    If you can model it in 3D software, you can print it.
    The main issue will be modelling, printing is easy.

    If I had an existing piece can it be copied?


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    #4
    banie01
    Registered Users Posts: 16,511 ✭✭✭✭banie01


    FintanMcluskey wrote: »
    If I had an existing piece can it be copied?

    If somebody had a 3d scanner it could be.
    Fairly common these days but I don't have one myself as yet.
    It would probably be easier to source parts from a breakers yard to be fair.


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    #5
    FintanMcluskey
    Registered Users Posts: 8,274 ✭✭✭FintanMcluskey


    banie01 wrote: »
    If somebody had a 3d scanner it could be.
    Fairly common these days but I don't have one myself as yet.
    It would probably be easier to source parts from a breakers yard to be fair.

    3D scanner is likely an option.

    Breakers yard is out of the question.

    It’s a vintage tractor, only burned ones exist in scrapyards


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    #6
    oscarBravo
    Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 28,792 Mod ✭✭✭✭oscarBravo


    FintanMcluskey wrote: »
    If I had an existing piece can it be copied?

    Yes, but it's not straightforward. One approach is 3D scanning, but you're probably better off measuring the part and designing a replacement.

    I printed this for a friend who wanted to install some USB sockets in a Volkswagen Transporter he's converting to a camper:

    549793.jpg

    He gave me one of the blanking plates from the dashboard and the USB plugs, and I designed and printed the above for him.


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    #7
    mickdw
    Registered Users Posts: 23,278 ✭✭✭✭mickdw


    I saw Jay Leno talking about this years back when very few could afford any of this equipment.
    He keeps a large car and classic car collection.
    He gave.the example of needing a door handle that couldnt be found anywhere.
    He had the one on the opposite side of the car do 3d scan, entire design mirrored and then printed. Job done.


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    #8
    FintanMcluskey
    Registered Users Posts: 8,274 ✭✭✭FintanMcluskey


    oscarBravo wrote: »
    Yes, but it's not straightforward. One approach is 3D scanning, but you're probably better off measuring the part and designing a replacement.

    I printed this for a friend who wanted to install some USB sockets in a Volkswagen Transporter he's converting to a camper:

    549793.jpg

    He gave me one of the blanking plates from the dashboard and the USB plugs, and I designed and printed the above for him.

    That looks excellent.

    Does a 3D printer print using plastic or how does it form the part above?

    Sorry for the stupid questions
    .


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    #9
    banie01
    Registered Users Posts: 16,511 ✭✭✭✭banie01


    FintanMcluskey wrote: »
    That looks excellent.

    Does a 3D printer print using plastic or how does it form the part above?

    Sorry for the stupid questions
    .

    There's a couple of common types.
    Theres FDM, fused deposition modelling in which a hot end extrudes plastic material in layers and as the material cools it hardens.
    This can print fairly robust parts particularly in ABS.

    The other common type is Resin/SLA.
    In my experience it's useful for smaller and more intricate pieces but is more fragile.

    For the part you need, FDM is most likely the way to go.


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    #10
    bryan06
    Registered Users Posts: 48 ✭bryan06


    If you had a photo of the parts we could get an idea of how difficult it would be to model it and print a copy.


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    #11
    iLikeWaffles
    Registered Users Posts: 4,325 ✭✭✭iLikeWaffles


    might be something here: https://www.myminifactory.com/category/brands-spare-parts


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