3D Printing

[Smooth]

I know you can buy parts for these cars, however just curious if anyone has 3D printed an A Arm perhaps and how well did it hold up?

[Halgar]

There is a company that is currently 3D printing/producing 1:1 cars. That would imply that the limitation of a consumer grade 3D printer would be the plastic that it utilizes, it may or may not be able to use stronger plastics, in which case, strength would be an issue.

Jay Leno uses a 3D printer to duplicate parts for many of his projects, some items are printed and used as is, sometimes the printed part is designed and fitted, then sent out to a casting or machine shop to duplicate. Regardless, 3D printing is being used in the real world, which means that if you can't use your consumer printer for making parts now, it won't be long before consumer level technology will be available to do so.

[jwscab]

there are tons of parts made by members here and not on this forum on shapeways, or imaterialize. if you go to shapeways website and search on rc10, you will see a bunch of stuff.

most of the sintered nylon parts are somewhat tough, but not near the toughness of a molded part. In most cases, guys have drawn the arms to improve strength by adding extra material in the weak areas.

there have also been tests were people have attempted to improve the toughness by adding a filler material, the sintered parts end up having a porous structure so people have tried thin CA or urethanes with some success.

search shapeways on this forum as well to see a bunch of neat stuff guys have designed.

[Smooth]

jwscab that shapeways website was exactly what I was wondering about. Thanks fellas!