Suggestions for 3d printed parts

[MikeSimon]

Are rubber parts easy to 3D print?

[wwheeler]

There are two basic rubber chemistries - Thermoset and thermoplastic. Thermoset is a one time non reversible chemical reaction. Thermoplastic is reversible and is processed by heating and cooling the material.

The 3D printing process works using thermoplastic materials. So because of that, you are limited in which materials are available with properties to match. The tradition rubber parts used on our cars are made using the thermoset process. All this to say that if you printed a “rubber” part, it will not feel exactly the same as OEM. May work and look the same, but not exactly the same.

I would talk to a 3D printer and see what material is available. You need to know the application and what the part is going to be exposed to - temperature, fluids, etc.. Also need to know the hardness as measured by Shore A.

[MikeSimon]

I was thinking about the pads on the foot pedals (for another classic car.)

[dirkbalter]

Just printed new heater flaps in ABS.

[wwheeler]

I am sure they have something close. You would want something soft like a 50 to 60 shore-A material for the pedal pads and your only issue is ozone and UV. Just call a printer and see what they have.

[Bill Sgro]

I think a valuable item to be 3-D printed would be the long plastic piece on the under dash unit of a Frigiking AC unit.  Everything else is pretty much indestructible and that piece is very brittle.  Mine is broken and I would like one.  I don't have a file though. 

[Shvegel]

I would require a bit of computer wizardry but if someone scanned a nice set of dash parts, dropped the surface 3/16” for padding and covering then printed a foundation for the dash?  This would actually be huge in the Porsche 911 circles where the dashes evaporate leaving you with an expensive restoration or a very expensive replacement.

[JamesL]

Just came across these guys… currently not got much for a 113 but maybe that’s because no-one has asked them

https://octoclassic.com/about-us

[stickandrudderman]

That looks like a very interesting site James.

[Jonny B]

Yes, quite a service. You can request a part, and they give the procedure on what you need to do.

Most interesting is the different types of material they offer.

[johnk]

What about printing the yellow clips for the side aluminum trim? They run about $7 each if you can find them.

[114015]

What about printing the yellow clips for the side aluminum trim? They run about $7 each if you can find them.

John,
Are you referring to these ones here?

https://www.sls-hh-shop.de/main/en/mercedes-230-280sl-w113-/72-door/72-a-door/clip-dec-strip-plastic-p-6146

Achim

[johnk]

Yup,
Wish they were that cheap here. I ended up ordering a complete kit from K&K Manufacturing to get  a decent per piece price but they are all yelllow rather than half yellow and half blue.

Thanks Achim