3D Printing Body Mounts

[KalEl63 695]

So I have a Blitzer Beetle kit on the way and I’m thinking of putting a Unimog body on it.

Now with 3D printing these days would it be the best way to go in creating the custom body mounts and if so how do you actually do it? (I don’t want to buy a 3D printer)

I see the name Shapeways popping up more often is this a good route?

Any input would be appreciated as I know nothing about this process.

Cheers

Dave

[lee1980 71]

I have 3d printer kit from stella still not fully assembled it, or figured out how to use it lol, but would imagine it be very good use of it.

Though material used may not be flexible enough for body posts, the PLA mine uses is pretty hard/dense. Some can do ABS to.

[mr crispy 2293]

It'd be perfect for beefed up Lunchbox/Midnight Pumpkin body mounts. The chromed kit parts are too brittle to handle the rough life a wheelie car leads 😉

[s2-g2 432]

Dave -

If you know some basic CAD, this is very easy to do. In the past 6 months I've gotten very into 3D printing custom parts for some of my builds/models. I use FreeCad to design, then just save my designs as a specific format and upload them to Shapeways. Two weeks later they come in the mail.

Some of the latest designs/prints I did for a build are in this thread: http://www.tamiyaclub.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=77335

With each part, I'm learning more and more. Body mounts shouldn't be too hard

I'd be glad to help with any questions if you start down this path.

Stuart

[KalEl63 695]

Thanks Stuart I have been reading your thread and it was a bit of the reason why I thought of maybe going this way.

I know nothing about CAD and wouldn't know where to start but might get the program and have a play around.

I'm really keen to get this happening but I guess I can't do much until the kit arrives and I get hold of a body to know exactly how it would work.

[Pintopower 1456]

I think you can use Google sketch up for the models and then have Shapeways spit out the parts. They are the greatest company to work with.

[KalEl63 695]

I'll have a look at Google Sketch as well.

I have been messing around in FreeCAD this morning and so far getting the idea.

If I can figure how to put bends in the cylinders and also correctly place holes as a set measured gap I think i'll be able to do this

[tagnut69 4]

Midnight pumpkin mounts would be a great thing to have available.

[LongRat 616]

Shapeways are excellent but remember there are lots of printing bureaus in the UK, using the same machinery and most are cheaper too.

[KalEl63 695]

I've made more inroads with FreeCAD with putting in bends (right angles) in the possible designs.

now if I can figure out how to copy them it will make life easier but as I said won't know the correct specs until I get the kit and body

I'm know I'm having fun trying this out

[kontemax 1725]

Any other free softaware for Mac please?

I was suggested about the Rhino but I must pay it and currently I have no money to spend and I'm not able to use it and I must learn everything from zero.

Max

[frameskip 63]

Max, did you try FreeCAD? It appears they have a version for OSX: http://freecadweb.org/wiki/?title=Download

[s2-g2 432]

Any other free softaware for Mac please?

I was suggested about the Rhino but I must pay it and currently I have no money to spend and I'm not able to use it and I must learn everything from zero.

Max

Like Frameskip mentioned... I use FreeCad for OSX

[kontemax 1725]

No, I didn't know it, I'll try it soon.

I draw with Photoshop and vectorial software (Freehand, Illustrator) since 1993 (i'm old, I know it ) but I never used a cad or 3D drawing software.

I hope to be able to learn it.

I absolutelly need 3D printed parts and it's very difficult find someone that makes them for me.

Max

[kontemax 1725]

I'm downloadind 0.13 version because I use 10.6.8 OSX.

Max

[kontemax 1725]

Just installed the software, it works but it is too difficult. I was unable to make a simple shape like a cilinder.

I will never learn it... :'(

Max

[bsy2010 218]

Don't give up too soon...

My background is similar to yours, Photoshop user since v1.08 and the first time I opened FreeCad and Blender, I had no idea where to beginn.

I switched to Sketchup and AutoDesk 123d and got my first 3 parts printed very quickly.

Still have to learn a lot, but at least I got my first results, which motivated me to continue

[kontemax 1725]

Do you know some online tutorial for FreeCad?

Cheers

Max

[s2-g2 432]

Do you know some online tutorial for FreeCad?

Cheers

Max

Max -

I did a Google video search of "FreeCad tutorials" There is a lot of stuff out there.

Also, from the FreeCad site, there's a series. I started with this one and built the part right along with the tutorial. It helped a lot to get me going with some of the basics:

http://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/index.php?title=Basic_Part_Design_Tutorial

Stuart

[Pintopower 1456]

Midnight pumpkin mounts would be a great thing to have available.

Dude, don't worry, I am on it. I have need those since about 1995. They could not be designed any worse than they are.

Just installed the software, it works but it is too difficult. I was unable to make a simple shape like a cilinder.

I will never learn it... :'(

Max

Have you thought about Rhino? I have heard that it is easy to use and free for macs. I think Toykid uses that.

[kontemax 1725]

Rhino is not free, there's a trial time then it cuts off.

Anyway I'm uable to use these softwares yet.

Max

[Pintopower 1456]

Rhino is not free, there's a trial time then it cuts off.

Anyway I'm uable to use these softwares yet.

Max

Shoot that's too bad.

Do you only have access to a Mac? If not this is free:

http://www.ptc.com/product/creo/elements/direct-modeling/express

I used to train the full version for all of North America. It's popular in Europe. It is one of the first cad tools ever; started in 1982 by Hewlett Packard. It has cool little tutorials in it. I think it limits the number of solid bodies for the free one.

[waterbok 1282]

That sounds nice, but the free versions seem to need a internet connection. But sure will give it a try.

[Pintopower 1456]

That sounds nice, but the free versions seem to need a internet connection. But sure will give it a try.

Really? Not surprised. Let me know if you have questions. I am unsure of the export options. The tutorials are really good though.

[waterbok 1282]

Btw I think the steering mount works out, no complaints sofar from my niece and nephew. ;-)

I forgot to get one for my self.