make your own parts?

[kevxs]

Hey, just came across this article about 3D printers, very cool!

http://www.thestar.com/business/arti...your-home?bn=1


i'm sure it could be used to make some useful XS11 parts in the future.

[GLoweVA]

That's COOL!

Just think of all the plastic parts that are hard to get nowadays.
Side covers, emblems, switch handles, etc. The list goes on.
Slap some paint on them and viola, new part.

We'd just have to make sure we've got a mint template to get the measurment specs from, then once the computer file/image is made you could pump out as many as you needed.

I think the article said it can do rubber too.... Foot pegs, grommets...etc.

I wish I had a couple of grand lying around.

[DiverRay]

I can join a local "club" that will have these printers in about a month! It's about 30 per month dues, plus time on the computer and printer. I do NOT know if they have a 3D scanner, though.

[natemoen]

The company I work for has some of those, never seen the printer though just see the printed parts.

[DAVINCI]

How about vacuum-forming? Less expensive, and you don't need software.

[crazy steve]

Here's a video.....

http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/extras...dex.php?page=1

The printer isn't the expensive part; it's the scanner, but pretty trick nonetheless. The fact that it can duplicate something with multiple, even moving, parts is what's so amazing.

Downside is you better want plastic parts; the metal 'printers' are big bux...

[patk12345]

@DAVINCI Vacuum-forming is great, but 3D printers go far beyond the limitations of vacuum-forming. You can make pieces with internal working parts. These things are a whole new world in manufacturing and at home tinkering.
I've known about these for a long time, but never thought about it's application to motorcycle parts. This would actually be the perfect way to recreate the often missing or broken, and pesky to find XS side covers, you could even print the logos on in 3D if you wanted.

Here's a link to Makerbot's website. It has a short video explaining the whole process...

http://www.makerbot.com/

[old_skool]

I've had some experience vacumn forming, even made one for small scale, not as costly, but you do need a good template(an original piece) or make one from plaster/clay...etc. In the next couple weels. I'll see what kind of plastic I have laying around, maybe I'll make an "XS" or "Special" mold, and see how it comes out, besides using it to either pour a emblem from it, can make cookies,candy even cake from it, or use a heavier abs and make an actuall usable part, thing is, your making a female part when vacumn forming, using thin plastic can result in decent detail without pouring, just using the formed part after triming, but the heavier gage you use, you lose detail, but gain strength, would be ok for less detailed items merely requiring the shape, and after painting, would be hard pressed to know the difference.