3D printing small parts

LG
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3D printing small parts

Postby LG » Tue Jul 04, 2023 12:41 pm

I'm wondering if anyone on here is 3D printing small plastic bike parts or has recommendations of somewhere to source (and what the quality is like)?

I find myself in need of some dura ace 7300 dust caps as well as some name plates for some 9 speed ultegra shifters, originals are hard to find (and expensive), but files seem to be available for printing.

https://grabcad.com/library/dust-cap-fo ... ub-front-1
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4689172
LG = Low Gear

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MichaelB
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Re: 3D printing small parts

Postby MichaelB » Tue Jul 04, 2023 3:05 pm

As little as I know, if you have the files, there are any number of sites that will print items for you.

Only they are NOT cheap in the slightest.

LG
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Re: 3D printing small parts

Postby LG » Tue Jul 04, 2023 5:06 pm

Thanks, the 'little you know' is more than I know about it! The not cheap is one of the things I was I was concerned about.
LG = Low Gear

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Clydesdale Scot
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Re: 3D printing small parts

Postby Clydesdale Scot » Wed Jul 05, 2023 7:12 am

Designing the files are the most difficult element.
Load the file up to a 3D printing bureau. Getting a quote is just a few clicks of a button

Shapeways has an amazing range of options in materials.

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MichaelB
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Re: 3D printing small parts

Postby MichaelB » Wed Jul 05, 2023 8:46 am

Clydesdale Scot wrote:
Wed Jul 05, 2023 7:12 am
Designing the files are the most difficult element.
Load the file up to a 3D printing bureau. Getting a quote is just a few clicks of a button

Shapeways has an amazing range of options in materials.
The prices are scary though !

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familyguy
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Re: 3D printing small parts

Postby familyguy » Wed Jul 05, 2023 9:03 am

The types of plastics and machines capable of printing something at home that will work and have enough strength for a part under load is limited. Printing a design commercially is the go for anything serious.

You can sure prototype on cheaper machines to confirm your design to avoid a costly undersize opening or misjudged curve. Last part I printed worked out at about 4c per unit printed based on usage of filament. Better than $12 per part if I got them commercially printed and they didn't fit quite right, like the first set.

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Clydesdale Scot
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Re: 3D printing small parts

Postby Clydesdale Scot » Wed Jul 05, 2023 9:07 am

MichaelB wrote: The prices are scary though !
Isn't that the point of getting a quote?

I have recently bought some fibreglassing supplies, to make moulds for more leather saddles.
Yes, the resin and the matting cost money, but there were new skills learned, and I was very pleased with the result.

For 3D printing I just ask another brother-in-law, he has two 3D printers. He knows how to design the models and the materials best suited to the product required. And the requests I have made are simple and straightforward, unlike the projects he uses the printers for.

I would be interested to see the quotes from a 3D printer.

LG
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Re: 3D printing small parts

Postby LG » Fri Jul 07, 2023 12:41 pm

Well I clicked on the computer a couple times to get a quote and it seems to be $6 each in ABS resin and $8 each in nylon plus postage. I don't know much about the comparitive properties of the products other than what a quick google search provides.

I might give ordering some ultegra name plates, the DA dust caps and a couple Shimano aero stem caps a go, will be interesting to see how they come out and whether they fit!
LG = Low Gear

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Clydesdale Scot
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Re: 3D printing small parts

Postby Clydesdale Scot » Fri Jul 07, 2023 1:44 pm

I don't regard those prices as "scary".

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foo on patrol
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Re: 3D printing small parts

Postby foo on patrol » Fri Jul 07, 2023 2:37 pm

I have a 3D printer and might try one of these files. :idea:

Foo
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LG
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Re: 3D printing small parts

Postby LG » Fri Jul 07, 2023 2:41 pm

foo on patrol wrote:
Fri Jul 07, 2023 2:37 pm
I have a 3D printer and might try one of these files. :idea:

Foo
I haven't progressed from quote to order yet, please let me know how they come out for you.
LG = Low Gear

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foo on patrol
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Re: 3D printing small parts

Postby foo on patrol » Fri Jul 07, 2023 9:27 pm

LG wrote:
Fri Jul 07, 2023 2:41 pm
foo on patrol wrote:
Fri Jul 07, 2023 2:37 pm
I have a 3D printer and might try one of these files. :idea:

Foo
I haven't progressed from quote to order yet, please let me know how they come out for you.

I won't be able to try this straight away, as I'm yet to have enough room for setting up the printer since we moved, so I don't want to disappoint you with a time frame.

Foo
I don't suffer fools easily and so long as you have done your best,you should have no regrets.
Goal 6000km

LG
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Re: 3D printing small parts

Postby LG » Sat Jul 08, 2023 9:58 am

No worries, the commercial order comes with the usual caveat that they don't warrant provided 3d files for fit etc, I'm hoping they do...

I've progressed, will report back in a few weeks once done.
LG = Low Gear

spacersnightmare
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Re: 3D printing small parts

Postby spacersnightmare » Fri Mar 29, 2024 7:46 pm

LG wrote:
Sat Jul 08, 2023 9:58 am
No worries, the commercial order comes with the usual caveat that they don't warrant provided 3d files for fit etc, I'm hoping they do...

I've progressed, will report back in a few weeks once done.
How did you go mate?!
I am in desperate need of printing some spacers for an integrated seat post and tt bars :oops:
Thinking go getting some mates to have a go at designing then sending it off to someone to print...

LG
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Location: Southeast Tasmania

Re: 3D printing small parts

Postby LG » Wed Apr 03, 2024 8:03 pm

spacersnightmare wrote:
Fri Mar 29, 2024 7:46 pm
LG wrote:
Sat Jul 08, 2023 9:58 am
No worries, the commercial order comes with the usual caveat that they don't warrant provided 3d files for fit etc, I'm hoping they do...

I've progressed, will report back in a few weeks once done.
How did you go mate?!
I am in desperate need of printing some spacers for an integrated seat post and tt bars :oops:
Thinking go getting some mates to have a go at designing then sending it off to someone to print...
It went pretty well, the the name plates came out a slightly unusual shape which I assume is the design in the file, but they work. Finishing required a light sand and then a spray paint. I'm not all that technologically minded so doing a design myself was beyond my capabilities.

If I needed more parts, I'd do it again.
LG = Low Gear

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