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3D metal printing on low volume items

toplessHO

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central florida
Completely new at this.
would like to duplicate an auto part that is diecast(potmetal).
brass or aluminum may be a better material,as it needs to be chrome plated
I have no scanner.part is approx 16x4 inches
 

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toplessHO

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wow you guys must be very proficient at this
I couldnt even do a bar room napkin drawing in that time.

So is this saying with a proper CAD file it would be less than $30 each?

Who do I have to have scan this?
there will be minor clean up of the scanned part,all of which can be done via software.
 

mike93lx

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wow you guys must be very proficient at this
I couldnt even do a bar room napkin drawing in that time.

So is this saying with a proper CAD file it would be less than $30 each?

Who do I have to have scan this?
there will be minor clean up of the scanned part,all of which can be done via software.
There are services out there that will do the scanning and cleanup. I haven't done a lot of looking, but I did find one locally to me that offers it.

I'd expect at least a few hundred $ if hiring it out, then the printing costs. I'd probably print and iterate in plastic then send a final out for metal.
 

jeepxj

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Mar 2, 2008
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wow you guys must be very proficient at this
I couldnt even do a bar room napkin drawing in that time.

So is this saying with a proper CAD file it would be less than $30 each?

Who do I have to have scan this?
there will be minor clean up of the scanned part,all of which can be done via software.

a chrome part will need to get the dust spray on it for accuracy.
 

MushCreek

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Upstate South Carolina
Just curious- what is the legality of copying an automotive part? I have a part for my Ford truck that is one year only, and very hard to find. I have one, but have thought about making some to sell.
 
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toplessHO

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central florida
Just curious- what is the legality of copying an automotive part? I have a part for my Ford truck that is one year only, and very hard to find. I have one, but have thought about making some to sell.
depends on the part.
cant copy part# or manufacturers logos,any copyrighted info.
If it has a patent,would advise against.
GM has a program for repops,many years ago I got legal release
for a couple of items.Maybe contact Ford and ask if they can re release.
If they arent interested ask if they can release for you.
a chrome part will need to get the dust spray on it for accuracy.
care to enlighten?
 

jeepxj

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17,887
depends on the part.
cant copy part# or manufacturers logos,any copyrighted info.
If it has a patent,would advise against.
GM has a program for repops,many years ago I got legal release
for a couple of items.Maybe contact Ford and ask if they can re release.
If they arent interested ask if they can release for you.

care to enlighten?

when 3d scanning it works on reflections. chrome will act like a mirror and jack the scanner all up. spray acts like a temp matte paint to make it scan better.

1777378928432.png
 
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toplessHO

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any advise to what works to replace the die cast (potmetal) material?
The place listed above doesnt list brass or bronze as a material,
only aluminum or steel.
I will need to chrome plate so aluminum is a little fussy.
what metal is SLM?
 

mike93lx

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Richmond, VA
any advise to what works to replace the die cast (potmetal) material?
The place listed above doesnt list brass or bronze as a material,
only aluminum or steel.
I will need to chrome plate so aluminum is a little fussy.
what metal is SLM?
Slm can be a variety of metals. Aluminum, titanium, stainless and others.

Does it need to be shiny? Bead blasted stainless won't work?
 

Irontoys

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Feb 2, 2011
Messages
15
*******, you are correct that an aluminum part requires extra processing to plate. Treated with special cleaners, then a zincate, to fool the bath that it is pot metal, then nickel, and chrome. Steel, much easier. Would like to suggest you add some bosses, for threaded holes.
1) to drill and tap for final installation. 2) to allow some screws to be threaded in. There will be burn marks on this bezel, from plating. I can see this easily pulling 50-100 amps of current, in the chrome tank. By adding bosses for screws, the screws take the high current burn, and are disposable! It would also help the poor guy that has to try to hang onto this part, buffing in preparation for plating. Gotta have a death wish to try and hang onto a thin cross section bezel like this, using an open buffing wheel. Screw holes will allow it to be mounted to a board backing for polishing. If you make it as drawn, better make two. The first one will get pretzelled while buffing. irontoys
 
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toplessHO

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 20, 2014
Messages
14,073
Location
central florida
*******, you are correct that an aluminum part requires extra processing to plate. Treated with special cleaners, then a zincate, to fool the bath that it is pot metal, then nickel, and chrome. Steel, much easier. Would like to suggest you add some bosses, for threaded holes.
1) to drill and tap for final installation. 2) to allow some screws to be threaded in. There will be burn marks on this bezel, from plating. I can see this easily pulling 50-100 amps of current, in the chrome tank. By adding bosses for screws, the screws take the high current burn, and are disposable! It would also help the poor guy that has to try to hang onto this part, buffing in preparation for plating. Gotta have a death wish to try and hang onto a thin cross section bezel like this, using an open buffing wheel. Screw holes will allow it to be mounted to a board backing for polishing. If you make it as drawn, better make two. The first one will get pretzelled while buffing. irontoys
I know all too well about parts becoming projectiles.. :^)
there will be bosses built as part of the design. thanks for tips

jeepxj,that seemed like it was aimed at non metallic items for plating.
 
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