33 replies to this topic

[CadillacPat]

Regardless of what process could be used, Chrome Tech, or even real Chrome Plating on metals,

It's the prep work that counts, things have to be super smooth.

It still boils down to attaining a high grade finish, with a Home 3D Printer at this point in time, producing lasting products using high end durable plastics.

 

Norml, if you add up the cost of your machine, materials, taxes, delivery, everything and base it as the cost for this one badge,

What would it be?

 

CadillacPat

[NormL]

Pat, I am hardly a proponent of home printing yet.  As I have stated before, the printing industry is changing too fast to invest yet.  I did almost buy a Boeing cast off though.  I am using the Shapeways printers, specifically their $950,000 laser sinter machine.  While I would love to have one sitting in my office it would make the cost for my printing in the $25k range per piece, LOL.  I am sure their deposit machines are much more reasonable, but, that is really their concern.  Mostly what I do is use this for rapid prototyping and there are a lot of services for that.  I haven't been able to beat the cost of Shapeways yet, even though some of their rules are very irritating.

 

The more expensive badge to my door was $26.84 the other one is about $0.50 cheaper.  We will see how good they look when they come back from Chrome Tech.  The car they are going on looks stellar and they need to belong to it.

Edited by NormL, 25 January 2013 - 10:26 AM.

[CadillacPat]

Good luck Norml, would like to see the pics when you get it back from Chrome Tech.

 

You posted your info in such an objective and honest manner that I knew I could get real ansers from you, thanks.

There has been a position by 2 or 3 here that full tilt machines, producing perfect durable Models and all their parts, all done with the simple touch of a button, using styrene plastic or something comparable, with software no more complicated than using our present InkJets, at home InkJet prices (let's be generous and say $300), are being used successfully by Hobbyists or will be in a couple of months.

 

One day, sure, but not today, not for quite sometime to reach all those prerequisites.

Industial uses, sure, but it would be quite an outlay of cash for a Hobbyist to make 1/24 scale wheels and such.

 

You are using your machine for what I hear others say they use theirs, prototypes, or to see how things look at different scales.

 

Hope it all holds up under the hood.

 

CadillacPat

[NormL]

I will definitely post the completed pics, good or bad.  I think we are at the time that a hobbyist could use the technology, but, why buy a printer.  Just use a service like Shapeways.  If you need more fidelity than they bring to the table, then outsourced to a printing service that is a little more quality like www.moddler.com  Wheels can be modeled to a very high precision and printed there.  That was brought up in the 3D printing thread in general section.  This can be done now, but, the cost will be very high, but, is it really?  If you print 6 things a year their big expensive printers will do a better job and I doubt you will have spent as much as buying your own and maintaining it and in a year, your's will be obsolete.  The user that brought it up was splitting the cost by printing one set and casting many to spread the cost, perfect use of the tech.

 

As far as when, my cell phone does a lot of stuff I never thought that I would want and I am still not sure that I want.  They came on very quickly.

 

"he'll try to have you burned at the stake for being a witch" was what was said about you in my Atom thread.  Fair warning, I may be big, but, I am wiry!

[CadillacPat]

 

"he'll try to have you burned at the stake for being a witch" was what was said about you in my Atom thread.  Fair warning, I may be big, but, I am wiry!

 

that's hilarious Man,

Some people should just let others do the thinking for them, if you know what I mean.

Probably another 12 year old that snuck in under the wire.

 

CadillacPat

[NormL]

Pat, here is one to think about, .... bioprinting http://www.organovo....-mmx-bioprinter , which is actually really cool, .... but then you have the home owner version http://boingboing.ne...printer-ou.html

 

Don't bother me honey, I am printing little people for my diorama!

 

"but"... "they all look like you!"

Edited by NormL, 25 January 2013 - 02:47 PM.

[CadillacPat]

Pat, here is one to think about, .... bioprinting http://www.organovo....-mmx-bioprinter , which is actually really cool, .... but then you have the home owner version http://boingboing.ne...printer-ou.html

 

Don't bother me honey, I am printing little people for my diorama!

 

"but"... "they all look like you!"

 

Shades of "The BodySnatchers"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Or the scene in The Fifth Element where the chic is recreated from her foot.

 

That's all neat stuff,

If they really want to build these for a practical purpose, and to really make money, they should give us a device for under $200 that can print out a Shrimp Po-Boy all the way, when you are up at around 3a.m.

 

CadillacPat

[NormL]

Ummm, ... shrimp Po Boy, ummmm

 

Push the button!  Hurry, push the button!

[NormL]

OK, Pat was correct they do not have the luster you guys modeling would want.  They will actually work for what I want though.  I will probably re-print the Atom badge in a deposit style in the future so that it is smooth and chromes better.  The high heat plastic for the Scarab came out with a radial pattern caused by the curve I put in the mounting.  Deposit style would not work for this application, ... melted puddle kind of issue.  Not hating it so far, we will see when it is on the car.  I took some strapping tape and did a quick mount on the Treg.

 

 

 

Lesson's learned.  Laser sintered nylon is too rough and porous for chroming.  A better choice would have been a deposit or extrusion style printer.  Does it work as a car badge, well yes, but, a deposit style would have yielded a better product.  Not bad for raising a photo in 3D though ....

[midengineaddict]

I know from bondo'ing my fenders that the plastic does not sand easily.  I was thinking of glazing putty and sanding it, I don't know if that is a chroming issue.  I guess I could always re "future" it

 

Maybe you are correct and I should have chosen a different print.  The Atom is Shapeways WSF, the Scarab valve badges are Alumide and maybe FUD a deposit (smoother) style would have been a better choice.  Deposit printing does not have the heat capability or strength that I felt I needed.

I just bought 1:16 scale Ardun carburetor in FUD from shapeway http://www.shapeways...oductBox-search they are small parts with no large surface that need to be mirror smooth did someone have an opinion on the results of chrome plating that?
 

[NormL]

No, but, my guess is that you are much closer than what I tried.  If you try it, please post your results.

[ajwheels]

I just bought 1:16 scale Ardun carburetor in FUD from shapeway http://www.shapeways...oductBox-search they are small parts with no large surface that need to be mirror smooth did someone have an opinion on the results of chrome plating that?
 

Those Stromberg carburetors at 1:16 scale, in my opinion, are pushing the limits a bit, and will require some prep prior to finishing............keep in mind that those parts are less than a half an inch tall, and there is a lot of detail going on there............but they clean up nicely, and easily................given the results that Norm has gotten here, I suspect that the finished carb should be quite nice..............and I, as others, would be interested in seeing the results if you should get them plated................

 

Tony

[lordairgtar]

The issue with vacuum plating is that the finish will not survive in the environment. This is why Chrome Tech says so in their literature. Not for use on external parts, they will not chrome plastic grilles and other trim on a car.

[NormL]

Well the badges for the Scarab are already on the car.  They are under hood and mounted on temporary mounts as it will be a bit before the car is painted.  I never placed the Atom badge as it is just too cheap looking.  What is the exterior plastic chroming process?