3D Printing

[Jolls]

Hi Team,

I was sondering if anyone has experience with 3D printing. I was astounded at the price for the grille badge and thought it may be a project that could be printed. I have reasonable CAD skills but the free programs that have been recommended to create models from are proving painful to learn. I am hoping someone has already done some of the work and may be able to share.

Cheers n Beers
Craig

[Gman]

G'day Jolls,

I have a printer and plenty of experience printing. I'd be happy to print any designs for you.

I think the design creation will be a challenge

[Jolls]

I'm playing around in Solidworks for Makers - I think I have figured how to create the shell for the outer. I think the logo part could possibley be uploaded as a picture and traced. I have never done this before, but have a bit of CAD expereince doing house designs in our construction business - completely different programs though.

I probably need to get my hands on one, or at tleast the dimensions hights, widths etc and see how it goes. Not goinf to stop the ute from being finished so it can be a bit of a slow burn.

My thinking is to print the emblem with a 5mm lip, paint it with an airbrush to get the detail and then pour resin over the top to seal and protect it. The "chromed" plastic will take a bit of trial and error but expect that it can be developed as merged vertical surfaces, say 10mm, and then merged and extruded to shape. I think the key is to have the right start dimensions and curves. I had a play this morning and was able to produce something close (getting to know the program) so the rest comes down to time, and some $ to purchase a printer.

Thinking of giving the metal fuse covers a crack as well if the aren't available as a repro. Print them if possible and paint them with some cold gal to look like zinc coated. I have a couple of them to measure up and see if it can't be done.

Should keep me busy once I wind up the business and hand it over to my sons.

[Jolls]

G'day Jolls,

I have a printer and plenty of experience printing. I'd be happy to print any designs for you.

I think the design creation will be a challenge

So sorry, forgot to add to my previous reply - thanks so much for the offer. I need to see how talented I am with the design software before we even get close to that step. hahaha