3D printing a gauge enclosure

[bake315]

I've been kicking around the idea of making myself a new gauge enclosure using a 3D printer.  Has anyone here had an opportunity to use one of those?  It's amazing what they are able to create.  Obviously, the end product's quality hinges mainly on the quality/accuracy of the drawing as well as the type of material used, but I have access to the necessary software and a friend with access to a printer that can do it.

[hatzie]

Give it a whirl.  My Form1 wouldn't handle that size and the SLI resin might not be good for long life.

From orbit via Android.

[Captkaos]

If you have access I say go for it.  All of the Proof of Concept pieces for the Pillar pods were 3D printed.  If you plan ahead you can make them pretty sturdy.  It is plastic, so it should last.
Starting here all prototypes are 3D prints: http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=16193.msg210472#msg210472

[darmentle]

They can make anything with a 3d printer.  You need to spend good money on a good printer there some cheap ones for like 1500$ floating around for sale on new egg and they are junk.

[Skyshadow]

I can CAD you a panel if you want. I am a Cert CAD drafter (part of a engineering degree lol). My personal printer can only do 8x8x11 though so unless you want it in pieces that clip together, you might want to have a large company do it for you (shapeways or R3D).
Also, you can check out GrabCad.com for panels that have been designed already. if they were built right (off equations, not numbers) then you can take a generic gauge panel and adapt if for your application.

[bake315]

Well, I'm trying out an Autodesk program called 123D Design, and at first blush it looks like it can do what I want.  I also have access to 3DSMax and Maya, but those sort of get over my head in a hurry.

Skyshadow, what would you need from me in order to CAD a panel?  Access to a printer that can handle it shouldn't be a problem.

[ehjorten]

We have 2 printers at work and I am pretty much responsible for them, taking care of the maintenance and such.  We just got a new Stratasys Fortus 400mc FDM with large build platen and we have an Stratasys Objet30 Polyjet also.

I have made a few personal items on the machine, but I try to keep it to a minimum.  My last project was to make a hitch mount for our company logo!

[bake315]

Nice!!!

[Captkaos]

Autodesk 123D is kinda a pain, you really need to work with it.  I played with it, but it is easier to build in CAD...

[Skyshadow]

I would just need your dimensions and design idea. If you have a comp that can read (handle) a .prt file then we can swap renderings back and forth. I work off Solidworks myself. It's a very powerful program but not for beginners.
I do have two kind of big projects going myself right now but I could fit ya in man. You can email me @ skyshadow07@aol.com if you want.

[bake315]

I would just need your dimensions and design idea. If you have a comp that can read (handle) a .prt file then we can swap renderings back and forth. I work off Solidworks myself. It's a very powerful program but not for beginners.
I do have two kind of big projects going myself right now but I could fit ya in man. You can email me @ skyshadow07@aol.com if you want.

Thanks, man!  I'll let you know!

[scorpion]

We have 2 printers at work and I am pretty much responsible for them, taking care of the maintenance and such.  We just got a new Stratasys Fortus 400mc FDM with large build platen and we have an Stratasys Objet30 Polyjet also.

I have made a few personal items on the machine, but I try to keep it to a minimum.  My last project was to make a hitch mount for our company logo!

With those skills I'd be thinking about printing a dash bezel.