3D Plastic Parts/Printing for Cars/RC etc - business opportunity
 

Hello all,

Im currently looking at 3D printing machines, small home size scale ones.

Im an engineer and have used 3d modelling for a long time, the world of opportunities i think this may be able to open (esp in our hobby area) seems a big opportunity to me.



Im posting here to get some feedback and thoughts from the community on this subject.

How can this help?


We all know how hard it is to find certain clips/plastic surrounds/small parts for our cars.

What about if you could buy these single parts from someone local, brand new and cheap (im thinking couple of dollars for clips etc few more for surrounds)?

How about custom parts/gauge pods holders to mould aspects of your car.

On a material base it may only cost me around 4 dollars to make certain large parts. Small parts like clips etc would be a matter of cents.




I feel there is a lot of room in this area to expand and grow (if it was succesful it would be so much easier for us to source all these hard to find parts if i can just model one and print it at home).

RC fans, i could design and manufacture parts in a matter of days (replacements or portotypes for new items).

Im trying to gauge the level of interest before i go right on.

Does anyone have any parts or ideas they want to throw at me?

Brackets/casting molds/clips/gauge pods etc
RC all suspension steering body clips etc.


How about gifts for families, work emblems/logos in plastic

The limit is the material (ABS plastic with a polycarb blend) from my research its about 80% the strength of a traditional injection molded plastic so really good for the cost and time.


Thoughts?

Thanks

I say go away this is the introduction area, you wally

Wasnt sure where else to put it :( didnt want to offend anyone.

Feel free to move it mods to a more suitable sub topic.

Thanks

I'd be keen on some gauge pods for sure. Sounds like a great idea.

Way I see it is, if it's only 80% strength as standardised stuff then as long as it isn't for anything overly structural its a great idea.
Bolt cap covers
Vent covers
Gauge pods
Push clips
Etc

We have one at the school I work at. Makes great key rings. Only a small scale one, but I can imagine the possibilities. Fantastic to watch. I was thinking of making a quick time movie to show students how it works.
How big do these things get? I know the one at school was rather expensive, so I can imagine the cost of a larger scale one.

wouldnt mind a clock shroud for an 04 to be made ;)

Would love a gauge pod to be made, among other things. I think this is a great idea.

Does the machine scan things or do you have to draw up a 3d model through AutoCAD or something similar?

Intrigued
Interested
Is-subscribed

Interested in how you achieved your numbers? Are they pre-overhead and capital expenditure/writeoff?

All the best with your research, keen to read about any of your experiences you're willing to share along the decision phase.

Cheers,