Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Mr Skrunts on 16 January 2016, 15:08:43
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Considered this since I first heard about it on TV, also looked into the CNC laser engravers/router machines.
I have no idea where to start, 1st thought about the engravers as a hobbie thing, then watched loads of videos on youtube with the CNC routers making various wooden plaques/boxes etc. Now just been watching some 3D printing machines in action.
Had a look round and it seems we have a couple of 3D suppliers for printers and supplies, but they all stock and support differnt brands.
The laser engraver I thought about straight away as a mate of mine works for a company that makes silver frames and other items that could be engraved which in turn mght earn a few quid and cover its own costs
The routher is probably more creative and more challengeing as it can be multi axis.
The 3D printer looks like fun and creative, but like a lot of hobbies could get very exspensive by adding a 3D scanner and then wanting bigger and faster printers, but the list of projects is endless. I looked through a library of 3D items that was freely avalable, which things like custom cable clips, pen stands/holders, working model engineering items and 3D ornaments and puzzles.
So rather than start with asking for advice from people selling thier products I wonder if any OOF members had invested into any of the above equipment and could offer any recommendations or advice of what to go for or stay clear of.
TIA :y
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I bought one back in the summer. For some reason I haven't used it yet, although I assembled it as soon as it arrived.
Two things occur to me:
They are very fiddly machines, being made from some poorly engineered components, and take a lot of setting up.
Most importantly, the printer isn't the important part of the system. That is the software you use to create the 3D model that you print. If you can't create your own models, then the printer is a very poor toy. This is true for any Computer Aided Manufacturing(CAM). 3D CAD has a very steep learning curve no matter which program you use. Download and try Fusion 360 which is very capable, free, and fairly straightforward to use. It should also output the necessary printer files without the need for another program, but I haven't tried that yet.
Here's an Omega headlight adjuster that took me about 5minutes:
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/u7hb53g6bvleg4m/Headlight%20Adjuster%20v1.jpg?dl=1)
That was modelled in aluminium, but it could be a suitable candidate for printing.
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Cheers for that. :y
I know what you mean regards the software, thats looking to be £300+ for that, so trying a free package is a brlliant idea.
I would probably try some of the library items to get get to grips with getting a printer up and running.
Its just choosing what brand to go with . . .
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I bought one back in the summer. For some reason I haven't used it yet, although I assembled it as soon as it arrived.
Two things occur to me:
They are very fiddly machines, being made from some poorly engineered components, and take a lot of setting up.
Most importantly, the printer isn't the important part of the system. That is the software you use to create the 3D model that you print. If you can't create your own models, then the printer is a very poor toy. This is true for any Computer Aided Manufacturing(CAM). 3D CAD has a very steep learning curve no matter which program you use. Download and try Fusion 360 which is very capable, free, and fairly straightforward to use. It should also output the necessary printer files without the need for another program, but I haven't tried that yet.
Here's an Omega headlight adjuster that took me about 5minutes:
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/u7hb53g6bvleg4m/Headlight%20Adjuster%20v1.jpg?dl=1)
That was modelled in aluminium, but it could be a suitable candidate for printing.
Have you tried printing adjusters yet? I reckon you could make a couple of quid ::)
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I can't see it being viable, as hobby printers are very slow. I'd be more inclined to machine a simpler aluminium version without the rounded edges, and an inserted ball.
But even that is a waste of time because a cast resin adjuster using an inserted ball is already available for less than a tenner.
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But even that is a waste of time because a cast resin adjuster using an inserted ball is already available for less than a tenner.
I will ask for others, put a linky up for the adjusters. I have alloy ones
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But even that is a waste of time because a cast resin adjuster using an inserted ball is already available for less than a tenner.
I will ask for others, put a linky up for the adjusters. I have alloy ones
I'm told the aluminium ones are NLA, so try these: [size=78%]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Opel-Vauxhall-Omega-B-Headlight-Adjuster-Life-Time-Warranty-Hella-/281256289565?hash=item417c2e651d:g:M1EAAOSwv0tVE70j (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Opel-Vauxhall-Omega-B-Headlight-Adjuster-Life-Time-Warranty-Hella-/281256289565?hash=item417c2e651d:g:M1EAAOSwv0tVE70j)[/size]
These are clearly cast in a mould taken from an original, and cleaned up a bit. Which is probably the most sensible way of actually making a profit on this sort of part. They aren't as well finished, but do seem to be effective.
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Anybody 3D scanned the front tow eye cover off an Omega yet ;)
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I bought one back in the summer. For some reason I haven't used it yet, although I assembled it as soon as it arrived.
Two things occur to me:
They are very fiddly machines, being made from some poorly engineered components, and take a lot of setting up.
Most importantly, the printer isn't the important part of the system. That is the software you use to create the 3D model that you print. If you can't create your own models, then the printer is a very poor toy. This is true for any Computer Aided Manufacturing(CAM). 3D CAD has a very steep learning curve no matter which program you use. Download and try Fusion 360 which is very capable, free, and fairly straightforward to use. It should also output the necessary printer files without the need for another program, but I haven't tried that yet.
Here's an Omega headlight adjuster that took me about 5minutes:
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/u7hb53g6bvleg4m/Headlight%20Adjuster%20v1.jpg?dl=1)
That was modelled in aluminium, but it could be a suitable candidate for printing.
I'm impressed. :y
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Anybody 3D scanned the front tow eye cover off an Omega yet ;)
They would come in handy seen as how many MV6 bumpers are missing them..
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Excuse the presenter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVU4FLrsPXs
Some interesting ideas
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Anybody 3D scanned the front tow eye cover off an Omega yet ;)
Not a scan, but this a rough model of the cover from my car.
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/dfoaq8vbafs2eht/Eye%20Cover%20v1.jpg?dl=1)
I don't know what an MV6 one looks like
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Anybody 3D scanned the front tow eye cover off an Omega yet ;)
Not a scan, but this a rough model of the cover from my car.
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/dfoaq8vbafs2eht/Eye%20Cover%20v1.jpg?dl=1)
I don't know what an MV6 one looks like
Rocking Horse Poo ;) :D
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I can't see it being viable, as hobby printers are very slow. I'd be more inclined to machine a simpler aluminium version without the rounded edges, and an inserted ball.
But even that is a waste of time because a cast resin adjuster using an inserted ball is already available for less than a tenner.
Also, even ignoring speed, current 3D printers aren't really suited to mass production due to printing costs.
At the moment, their primary use would be prototyping before getting an item mass produced.
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Anybody 3D scanned the front tow eye cover off an Omega yet ;)
Not a scan, but this a rough model of the cover from my car.
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/dfoaq8vbafs2eht/Eye%20Cover%20v1.jpg?dl=1)
I don't know what an MV6 one looks like
Rocking Horse Poo ;) :D
I've got one :P :P ;D ;D
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I can't see it being viable, as hobby printers are very slow. I'd be more inclined to machine a simpler aluminium version without the rounded edges, and an inserted ball.
But even that is a waste of time because a cast resin adjuster using an inserted ball is already available for less than a tenner.
Also, even ignoring speed, current 3D printers aren't really suited to mass production due to printing costs.
At the moment, their primary use would be prototyping before getting an item mass produced.
Like everything there are compromises to be made. One thing we should stress is that 3D printers are not the universal replicator beloved of sci-fi, and are nowhere near becoming such a thing. Nor are they going to replace CNC or even manual machine tools. As you say, 3D printers are good for prototyping and poor for mass production. Where they really score is for plastic objects, which using traditional methods like casting/moulding/vacuum forming/machining are not suited to small scale production. The only snag I see with that is that plastic is already used for all sorts of things that would be better in metal; headlight adjusters are a particularly relevant example.
Small 3D printers are only going to get better though; they are about where DIY CNC mills were 20 years ago, and look at how those have changed.
Then there is the combined CAD/Cam software, which as I previously mentioned is where the real improvements have been made. There are lots available from good free programs through to expensive industrial ones which make small scale and one-off use of all types of CNC machines simple. You don't even need to own the machines yourself, things like laser and water-jet cutters are huge time and cost savers for even small sheet items. I had a couple of 6mm plates for a rolling machine cut for little more than the cost of the material, and after some deburring were ready to use with the slots and bolt holes accurately formed. I wouldn't do that any other way now.
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Right...so....make a plastic headlamp adjuster, make a mould from plaster, then pour molten metal in.
You guys give up far too easy.