This is an interesting idea for automotive restorers if the concept proves truly viable. Certainly replicating plastic and some metal parts is doable. Electrical and moving parts are more difficult or problematic. Still if the part is no longer in production - anywhere in the world, this could be the next best thing, and relatively economical depending on the size of the part and assuming the CAD data needed to produce the part already exists.

 

https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1115295_3d-printing-allows-porsche-to-create-obscure-parts-for-classic-cars

 

 

Sounds like a good idea but we’ll see

13 hours ago, Ringo64 said:

Sounds like a good idea but we’ll see

Agreed.

On 2/14/2018 at 1:32 PM, Frosty said:

This is an interesting idea for automotive restorers if the concept proves truly viable. Certainly replicating plastic and some metal parts is doable. Electrical and moving parts are more difficult or problematic. Still if the part is no longer in production - anywhere in the world, this could be the next best thing, and relatively economical depending on the size of the part and assuming the CAD data needed to produce the part already exists.

 

https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1115295_3d-printing-allows-porsche-to-create-obscure-parts-for-classic-cars

 

 

No doubt as time marches on someone may figure out how to make this work for functional metal parts. In general plastic & ceramic parts are really all that work well off 3D printing because of the process using granular material. Metal parts are sintered metal, which in general are weak, I.E. break easily.

Edited February 16, 20188 yr by Last Indian