grnlark 489 #1 Posted March 27, 2014 (edited) In the past several weeks I've been reading, researching and educating myself on three dimensional printing. This is some crazy stuff. You can literally create objects/parts from a 3D CAD file. Essentially, the printer uses liquified plastic (ABS, polycarbonate and/or various blends) vs. ink as we're used to in conventional printers. So, having a need to re-create some parts I decided to give this a whirl with a company I found and researched online. My first attempt was to re-create a Hiller script emblem for YardHand tractors. I did a good deal of work scanning, photgraphing and taking every concievable measurment known to man to generate a 3D CAD rendering of the original emblem. I then had them professionally printed in a ABS/poly blend and here's the resulting product. The original was cast and chrome plated. I can have these plastic chrome plated if I want - for additional cost of course - or just paint them. But the bigger take-away here is the fact that it can be produced...with a printer! I'm in the process now of gathering specs on a strength poly offered to see if I can build drive gears and pawls for these tractors too. But certainly, this can apply to Horses as well!! Get thinking boys! What else can we make? Let me know. Edited March 27, 2014 by grnlark 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coadster32 793 #2 Posted March 27, 2014 Matt, that's cool and your replica came out great! It's known in the trade as additive machining. At our shop, we are currently making parts for 3-D printers. Pretty hot right now, and getting a lot of attention. It can make things like adjustable wrenches, with separate moveable parts and all. Mind blowing for sure. The prices on these machines will come down in the future, and I think they will be widely used. Great for making prototypes of almost anything that can fit in the printer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dodgemike 52 #3 Posted March 27, 2014 Matt; that is great! I first became aware of it about ten yrs. ago. It was a multi million dollar co. Doing rapid prototyping.Right from SolidWorks to finished part. I knew it was slowly reaching our level. Reproducing a piece that is no longer available is awesome! Sent from my SCH-S720C using Tapatalk 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grnlark 489 #4 Posted March 27, 2014 I think its just awesome! I looked into casting them, I talked to a foundry, I talked to jewelery makers, I even attempted to mold them myself with fiberglass resin. This is hands-down the best way to go. These emblems for example - they were only put on the YardHand tractors for the first 6-12 months of production and then stopped. No one is entirely sure why. They assume it was when Craftsman/Sears became closely involved. The funny thing is that the sheet metal dies apparently were never modified and EVERY tractor regardless of being Craftsman or YardHand moving forward had the two small holes in the side body panel for the emblem but it was just left empty. Finding an early production tractor with the emblem is difficult. Not anymore! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 37,196 #5 Posted March 27, 2014 3D technology is now available for in home use too. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbgGmtk6ibo 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SousaKerry 503 #6 Posted March 27, 2014 We use 2 machines at work one is an older PVC machine the other is an Eden about 2 years old, next year we are purchasing one that can print in metal to make prototype dies and mold cavities. Currently we are printing mockup prototype parts for our customers but made with the actual materials would be better. I sometimes use it to print prototype tooling components to check fits. I have ofter thought of producing custom hood ornaments for my horses with them but the plating issue has been the hold up. Also I work in Solid Edge not Solid Works so I do not have all the fancy surfacing tools needed to really make it pop. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kennedy 130 #7 Posted March 29, 2014 Just heard on the radio today a Dutch woman needed a new skull and surgeons printed her one. Here is the article: http://www.cnet.com/news/woman-gets-a-3d-printed-skull-and-you-can-watch/ Mark Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JimD 3,347 #8 Posted March 29, 2014 The hood ornaments would be a nice item to reproduce and make available. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grnlark 489 #9 Posted March 29, 2014 The hood ornaments would be a nice item to reproduce and make available. Can you post a pic so I can see what it looks like? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DoctorHfuhruhurr 137 #11 Posted June 7, 2014 Monoprice came out with their own 3D dual extrusion printer that is only $1199.00. I've been using Monoprice for years. They have amazing prices anything audio or video. http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=107&cp_id=10724&cs_id=1072403&p_id=11614&seq=1&format=2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DoctorHfuhruhurr 137 #12 Posted July 3, 2014 In the past several weeks I've been reading, researching and educating myself on three dimensional printing. This is some crazy stuff. You can literally create objects/parts from a 3D CAD file. Essentially, the printer uses liquified plastic (ABS, polycarbonate and/or various blends) vs. ink as we're used to in conventional printers. So, having a need to re-create some parts I decided to give this a whirl with a company I found and researched online. My first attempt was to re-create a Hiller script emblem for YardHand tractors. I did a good deal of work scanning, photgraphing and taking every concievable measurment known to man to generate a 3D CAD rendering of the original emblem. I then had them professionally printed in a ABS/poly blend and here's the resulting product. The original was cast and chrome plated. I can have these plastic chrome plated if I want - for additional cost of course - or just paint them. But the bigger take-away here is the fact that it can be produced...with a printer! I'm in the process now of gathering specs on a strength poly offered to see if I can build drive gears and pawls for these tractors too. But certainly, this can apply to Horses as well!! Get thinking boys! What else can we make? Let me know. Do you have the STL files uploaded somewhere of the Hiller emblem you printed? I just ordered a 3D printer and I'm looking for files to test with. A wheelhorse specific repository of 3D files would be cool to share online so that people could print (or have printed for them) various parts that aren't made anymore. I downloaded the files to print this tractor from Thingiverse. Thingiverse has and endless amount of 3D files. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
specialwheelhorse 174 #13 Posted July 4, 2014 don't have a clue what you guys are talking about but the doohickey That slides up and down on my hydrostatic that controls speed, forward And reverse comes to mind, must be nylon or Teflon. I sure need one And am about to pay 20 plus for a repro '!!!!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 37,196 #14 Posted July 4, 2014 I imagine... a desktop RJ would be really cool too. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
posifour11 723 #15 Posted July 5, 2014 I imagine... a desktop RJ would be really cool too. A working! Desktop RJ! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 37,196 #16 Posted July 5, 2014 Don't forget... all it's working attachments too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DoctorHfuhruhurr 137 #17 Posted July 6, 2014 don't have a clue what you guys are talking about but the doohickey That slides up and down on my hydrostatic that controls speed, forward And reverse comes to mind, must be nylon or Teflon. I sure need one And am about to pay 20 plus for a repro '!!!!!!! Here's and example of a 3D printer in action of someone printing some lego blocks. It's easier to visualize it by watching one print. You can skip to about 2:30 into the video to see the printer in action. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oldredrider 2,553 #18 Posted July 14, 2014 If someone REALLY wants to be a hero, start printing the 1533 transmission bearing! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
C-101plowerpower 1,606 #19 Posted July 14, 2014 Do you have the STL files uploaded somewhere of the Hiller emblem you printed? I just ordered a 3D printer and I'm looking for files to test with. A wheelhorse specific repository of 3D files would be cool to share online so that people could print (or have printed for them) various parts that aren't made anymore. I downloaded the files to print this tractor from Thingiverse. Thingiverse has and endless amount of 3D files. maybe try grabcad, has a lot of files too Koen Share this post Link to post Share on other sites