ENGINEERING COMPONENTS, REPLACEMENTS AND CAR PARTS
3D printing for rapid prototyping is the leading technology for functional prototypes. I am a qualified engineer (B.Eng Mechanical/Aerospace, University of Adelaide, 2009) and understand engineering real-world stress and strain issues regarding functional parts including corrosion/UV resistance and design for manufacture. No need to send your files interstate or overseas and wait days to receive your print, it is now available in Adelaide. We provide CAD design, reverse engineering, 3D scanning and 3D printed parts often to mining, aerospace and automotive engineering companies to solve their rapid prototyping needs. I make extra efforts to travel to clients to explain exactly the tolerances, strength and other properties of 3D prints to ensure you get a print to suit your needs.
We can also replicate existing parts such a adapters, mounts, car interior parts and countless other plastic and metal parts. Car, motorbike and boat parts especially are a very common product with options to print directly from metal or use a printed plug to fibreglass over. With a copy of the original part needed to be repaired or replaced, we can model it in 3D and print your replacement. Even when a part is broken and components are missing, we can reverse engineering it by figuring out what would likely have been present in the missing part using 3D scans. Mirror stems, windshield wiper gear systems, spoiler supports, wheel caps, headlight holders and many more, we have a vast amount of experience in reproducing vehicle parts.
For customers looking to manufacture and sell their own parts, we can provide detailed engineering drawings and liaise with machine shops to get your part manufactured from any material you want. We are also capable of making brand new, original parts that do not exist yet. I describe the process involved in making original parts here, putting sports/luxury car parts on any make or model is possible!
IMPORTANT NOTE ON REPRODUCTION VEHICLE PARTS
Not all vehicle parts are able to be reproduced with 3D printing. Plastic vehicle parts are often extremely strong, high temperature resistant plastics that can handle extreme temperature shifts and vibrations and no 3D printed plastic component can ever reach the strength and durability of molded plastics used in vehicles. In addition, many vehicle parts are a part or, or attached to components which are designated safety critical and modification of such parts will violate road safety rules. In all cases where a print is, or attached to, a safety critical component or a part where modification violates safety rules, these jobs will not be able to be completed. These are strict requirements and are always adhered to. The following is a list of components which can not be reverse engineered for these reasons;
- Headlight, indicator light and brake light lens covers
- Steering wheel
- Brake, accelerator, clutch pedals
- Shifter
- Indicator and windshield wiper toggles
- All under the bonnet components
For all other parts, plastic 3D prints are perfectly fine for internal parts like fascia plates, air conditioner vents, sun visors, handles, cup holders and some external parts like trims. For external badges, wheel caps, handles and others these are often printed in metal which will exceed molded plastic in strength and heat resistance. In all situations, each request must be evaluated to determine if 3D printing is suitable and if not, we can always suggest alternatives such as milling from solid billets.
