Chroming 3D printed plastic

[NormL]

Pat, here is one to think about, .... bioprinting http://www.organovo.com/products/novogen-mmx-bioprinter , which is actually really cool, .... but then you have the home owner version http://boingboing.net/2013/01/24/howto-make-a-diy-bioprinter-ou.html

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

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

Edited January 26, 2013 by NormL

[CadillacPat]

Pat, here is one to think about, .... bioprinting http://www.organovo.com/products/novogen-mmx-bioprinter , which is actually really cool, .... but then you have the home owner version http://boingboing.net/2013/01/24/howto-make-a-diy-bioprinter-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.com/model/948160/1-16-ardun-2x4-intake.html?li=productBox-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.com/model/948160/1-16-ardun-2x4-intake.html?li=productBox-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?

[robertburns]

Sorry to bring up an old topic.

The best way to chrome a 3D printed part is to:

SLA - finish it, paint it, mold it, cast it, and chrome it.

SLS - mold it, cast it, finish it, primer it, chrome it.