What can a 3D printer do?

[Bob Reed]

Well I needed brackets to hold my lcds to the MIP panel. So I drew them and printed them. I have made lots of little parts like this.

[Trevor Hale]

Every Builder should have one.... After having one, I can honestly say I have no idea how I ever survived without one.

If you are a builder and not buying everything turn key from a supplier.. This is the way to go. 

I even fixed an alarm clock in the house, printed a paper towel holder, and clips for my chip bags, not to mention a new isis panel, and working on a fuel panel now..

Knobs, Buttons, panels, and brackets...  Just awesome...

[Bob Reed]

I have to agree with Trevor on this. I feel this is a must have for builders. Just the brackets I have made have been priceless. I am no 3D drawing guru or even a novice, but I am able to make a lot of the parts I need. And did we mention Thingverse?

[Sam Llorca]

Geez guys, I'm going to blame you guys if I buy a 3d printer! 

[Trevor Hale]

LOL @ Sam..  Maybe we could print you a new Pool Scrubber LOL

[Bob Reed]

LOL @ Sam..  Maybe we could print you a new Pool Scrubber LOL

One that reaches from the roof??

[Trevor Hale]

One that reaches from the roof??

SmartAss LOL

[Bob Reed]

One that reaches from the roof??

SmartAss LOL

[Sam Llorca]

LMAO, or maybe you can print me new roof panels, I'm tired of this leaky roof that doesn't quit, LOVE YOU GUYS, CHEERS!

[Atomic_Sheep]

Is it useful for someone with a CNC machine? I'm struggling to think of things that a CNC machine can't do  .

[archen]

I have both CNC lathe and CNC mill and I could not live without my 3d printer.

Both for it's easy to use and also for parts which is impossible to create in a CNC mill or lathe.

I have a Zortrax M200, superhappy with it.

Anders

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[Atomic_Sheep]

Yer I'm salivating over a lathe.

Are 3D printed parts strong? I know there's metal 3D printers with freakin laser beamz but a hobby 3D printer always seems to produce stripy results. It is like a bunch of tubes stuck together... Seems like if you press it hard enough, the part will crumble.

[blueskydriver]

Hey Dimtry,

Just saw your post and I was thinking about seeing lines in 3d prints. I cannot speak for metal 3d printers, but with me just getting started using PLA and ABS I've already learned it's mainly all about the print thickness and print speed to reduce lines.

Knowingly, you will always see them, but take a look at those window handles I recently printed, they actually looked very smooth. I set the speed at 60mm/sec and .02mm for thickness (which I thought was to thick at first) on my Creality CR-10S. Now, it could also be the slicer software they got those smooth prints for me, as I am using Simplify 3d (S3D).

However, I cannot say for sure because I've only printed 7 items thus far, so I still need to learn how to print bigger and more complicated items, whereas the issues of the lines or layers showing too much will be a bigger problem...

John

[Atomic_Sheep]

How about the strength of the finished product? If you have a small part like for example a dowel, or a small cylinder, you will have the previous layer still being hot (at least that's my thinking) so it will fuse with a new layer, but if you're making anything larger, then the previous layer cools and all that fuses is the current strip to the previous layer. To me this doesn't seem like a very strong way of making stuff. Hopefully I explained myself clearly.

[blueskydriver]

Hey Everyone,

Even though you may not be doing 3D printing for yourself, you should venture over to www.thingiverse.com to browse for items on your "need it list".

Take for example this B737 Eng Start Switch project here:

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2981928

The contributor shows how to make the switch and provides links for the magnetic switch itself. So, when you think about, here is an actual project posted for the 737 builders to use, even though it only has the .stl file for the knob. In other words, you'll be surprised by thingiverse after surfing it for awhile...

If you do find something you want to print or need help with, send me a PM about it and I'll do what I can; maybe, even print it for you. You would only have too buy the filament and pay for all the shipping costs involved.

John

[Joe Lavery]

I've just finished a test print of levers I designed for the new throttle I'm building.
Once they're refined and completed they'll join the other 737 related stuff on thingiverse.com as well.

I'm also working on a new oxygen panel

Joe.

[archen]

Wow that starter is really a copy of mine. Even the same solenoid (exact model) with the replaced spring.

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[blueskydriver]

Hey Anders,

Sorry about this, I didn't even think about your ENG Start Switches when posting this. However, here is what I would tell everyone. If you are in the market just for these switches I would tell you to buy them from Anders period. Why?

Well, think about the costs for the 3D printer, the filament and the solenoids. Then, add all the time to learn 3D printing and so on. You'd pay 3 times as much making them yourself. Even with me being this far into 3D printers, I would not make them for myself. And, if my simulator were together I would've already ordered them from him.

Really, as for 3D printing them, I just randomly chose an item from https://www.thingiverse.com to help encourage others to think about and/or get into this exciting technology...

John

[blueskydriver]

Hey Joe,

Those levers look awesome! Did you also print the top portions? Also, I will be looking forward to seeing your O2 Panels printed. I've already purchased mine from FDS, so I will not print them; however, I am going to print the Map and Drink Holders today or at least start on them.

Another item on my radar of thinking is the B737 Windshield Wipers...lol...yep, just because it's something unique and it's costly/hard to get the real ones. I have a set of real ones on my simulator and I sold my second real set to Jack. Although, I've managed to have a single one left over...what do you think about you modeling it for me, if I give you the extra one for free? Making the opposite side is just a mirror function in your modeling program.

The big question is, should the rubber section be a part of the print or should it be made where you can add a rubber section and thereby, making it look a little more real. I think 3D printing it entirely would be the easiest leaving only the need for decals, which could be made by using plastic model decals kit(s).

John

What do you think?

[archen]

Hey John,
No biggie. I was just surprised someone actually copied them. ?

Thanks for the kind words though.

Anders

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[Joe Lavery]

Hi John,

I'm happy to give modelling them a shot, although I have nothing for reference. If you can take some pics and give me some dimensions I'll certainly have a go for you. I guess I'd better break them into separate components, it would make them easier to print and look more realistic. It might be worth buying a couple of really cheap car wipers and canibalise the rubber from them. So some the £1 shops over here sell them. So I guess you have the same only $1 shops.

And yes I did model and print the handles for the levers. I printed them at 0.1 rather than my usual 0.2, I wanted to make the lettering a bit clearer. I also printed them with 100% fill. They are really strong at that fill level and almost impossible to break.

Joe.

[bernard S]

lol 8 have working wipers

[Joe Lavery]

So I imagine the rest have to climb on a ladder and clean them with a sponge... but awkward in flight....

[bernard S]

actully do not add arms  just keep motors  for sound effect .

[blueskydriver]

Hey Joe,

PM me your address and I will mail you the extra real one I have...

John