Defcad/3D Printing/Aero parts

[drrivah]

Washington Post carried an article about 3D printing of gun parts ~ yesterday. Article says also used for "airplane parts".

http://www.washingtonpost.com/newsse...t=Submit+Query

Any software engineering folks out there with the $1300 plastic printer, who could say a few wqords about current status of 3D print programming?

DEFCAD - Index

[brinesharks]

What did you want to know? We use them at work for various parts (no aircraft parts though). The newer printers can turn out usable parts for things like electronics enclosures, hand grips, etc. I am hoping to get a few Spitfire Chassis Indicators made up. The end result is around the same sort of durability as the original Bakelite.

I wouldn't 3D print plastic gun parts. Good way to lose an eye! Went to a conference last week discussing the latest metal printing technologies. Very expensive but aircraft parts (for airliners) can now be printed in titanium. From what I understand these have the potential to be just as strong as a machined part and more predictable than a casting.

For people on this forum I would recommend exploring the option of getting your unusual or one-off parts printed in plastic then use that to have the part professionally cast. Depending on the local foundry you should be able to get accurate parts for far less than printing metal parts. You can probably even beat 3D machined parts for price (depending on the part of course).

[Tinbasher]

For small parts for aircraft like the Spitty UC selector plate and indicator 3D prototyping is great.The other thing it is great for is Masters for casting aluminium parts..

[sheppo]

I use them a bit at my school, very useful little tool albeit rather slow. I'm currently drawing up Spandau parts for giggles to print up. I may well do the same with fuel gauge bodies so they can be cast etc.

Chris

[womenfly2]

There are 3D printers that with do metal parts too.

[drrivah]

3D for production is probably less cost-effective (cost-prohibitive) than 3D prototype for castings followed by machining.

Any comments on most cost-effective strategy for production of metal parts for which only a dimensioned dwg exists?

I should think than another route (wood blank?) would be more efficient for large parts (cylinders & engine cases, for example), but 3D printing of rough blanks small parts might be the way to go.

Entry level 3D printers are about $1500. if I understand

No experience here but am very interested in the technology.

Thanks.

[brinesharks]

Originally Posted by drrivah

3D for production is probably less cost-effective (cost-prohibitive) than 3D prototype for castings followed by machining.

Any comments on most cost-effective strategy for production of metal parts for which only a dimensioned dwg exists?

I should think than another route (wood blank?) would be more efficient for large parts (cylinders & engine cases, for example), but 3D printing of rough blanks small parts might be the way to go.

Entry level 3D printers are about $1500. if I understand

No experience here but am very interested in the technology.

Thanks.

The big hurdle for most people is getting their CAD model drafted on computer first. If you pay someone it makes the whole process fairly expensive. You may have a friend who can do it or you can learn it yourself. It is a long and challenging process but I think it will become more and more useful as time goes on and it certainly helps where you have an old drawings (that may have incorrect dimensions - particularly bend radii) that you need to tidy up and dimension correctly.

Once you have your CAD model my preference is to send it to a professional company to have it machined/printed. Here in Australia the prices are getting prohibitive but there are some good online places that print at a low rate. I don't really trust an off-shore place to machine structural parts for my projects though so I like to get that done in Australia and supply the material so I can be confident it has the right structural properties. Printing in plastic or getting reproduction parts of things like instrument bezels, etc would be fine to get done overseas. A Chinese company we use at work does outstanding work - far better than anything I have found here in Australia and their turn-around time is faster.

[mossie]

Understand what you 're saying, but CAD costs are very much based on time to produce the object in question. Some simple stuff like laser cut brackets are relatively cheap, but a engine block or complex casting not so.

The costs can also be reduce if there is good data to base the CAD work on. I've done a few bits over the years and have worked from photos through to copies of original engineering drawings, and the later is much easier.

Learning CAD is not impossible, but takes time and effort. That in some respects is what your paying for, that skill and use of the tool.

[womenfly2]

... my L-4 Cub wing. Cad system: Soildworks, plywood parts for aileron being CNC routed.

Enjoy.

[drrivah]

Super! I want one...

Originally Posted by womenfly2

... my L-4 Cub wing. Cad system: Soildworks, plywood parts for aileron being CNC routed.

Enjoy.