3D Printing for metal parts

[KFDarrin#164]

Anybody know if 3D Printing for Darrin parts, i.e. trunk hinges, door handles.. has been researched?   Or does anyone have the CAD specs on any parts.. chiefly the trunk hinges?

[324darrin]

KFDarrin#164, I am in the process of getting a quote to have a door handle 3D printed in stainless steel. I work in the aviation industry and we have had parts 3D printed in aluminum with great results. I am waiting for information from a firm about 50 miles from me about having the part 3D scanned as the first step. I mentioned that there are many parts that could be replicated such as the trunk hinges and maybe even the trunk script. I will keep you in the loop. Steve (324darrin)

[324darrin]

Well, I have heard back from the 3D printers. The news is not good. first they need a 3D scan as was mentioned before and that runs about $300. Then they can manufacture the part (door handle in my case) for about $1200. So now were are looking at a $1500 door handle. I think not. My contact indicated that the price gets better if they can make in quantity but not much better.
So unless someone out there has their own equipment, 3D printing may not be in the cards. Steve 

[324darrin]

I was given different contact info for a start-up 3D company in the Portland, Oregon area. His operation will be up and running at the end of this month or early in September. We spoke on the phone and he agreed to help me through the process of scanning and then the actual printing in stainless steel of my door handle. Just posting to let you know that the idea of 3D printing is not dead yet. He indicated that he would give me a break on the price since they will be working the bugs out of their operation. So we shall see.  Steve

[njpatera]

Following this :-)

[Terry T]

would this ss handle be chrome plated?

[KFDarrin#164]

Thanks SO MUCH for the updates. Yes, Please keep us all informed on how the progress goes. Restorations of many cars, the Darrin included will die if the technology will not be there to help, but it will have to be affordable.  Preaching to the choir...   

[324darrin]

The door handles in stainless, if this pans out, will not be plated. They will be highly polished.  Plating on stainless steel does require different pretreatment than plating on steel, but it is certainly not impossible. Steve

[324darrin]

Just sent my one remaining door handle to the 3D printer this morning. A leap of faith here that I get it back or better yet, a nice new set.  He will take it to his scanner guy for the 3D scan soon. It will be a while before I know anything about cost. If anyone is interested in a pair or a single, I understand that as many spaces as there are room for in the printer box can be made all at the same time. I don't know how many that would be but it makes sense to have as many made as possible. The cost goes down slightly in quantity but not much. I am willing to put the money up front but would like to know if there is any interest. Nothing is in stone yet so even if you express an interest, there is no obligation. Steve

[njpatera]

Interested as I will be (hopefully) tearing into the body next year.

[324darrin]

3D printing company received my door handle. They are waiting for the county to allow them to occupy the building. All of their machinery has been delivered and is being held in temporary storage. It seems that my door handle job will be the first one to come from their new facility.

I have a question for anyone who has seen a Darrin door handle and the cross drilled hole(s) for the pin. My handle has two holes drilled at right angles to each other. Is this the way the factory did this or do I have one that someone added a hole to, in order to change the handle position? This info would be of great help because the 3D programmer has the capability of filling or smoothing any blemish or unwanted holes before the actual printing process takes place. Thanks, Steve

[darrin502]

Not sure what the second hole is for but all of my handles have them.
Lee

[324darrin]

Jake, I can't tell if your handle has been drilled at 90 degrees. Drilling the pin hole makes sense though. Thanks to all replies. Steve

[324darrin]

So, if all handles are cross drilled with two pin positions, which one is actually used to secure the handle? Steve

[324darrin]

Time drags on. My contact at the 3D printing company told me that they are behind schedule and that it looks to be November before they are ready to test their equipment. No real news here, just an update on the progress. Steve