Ferrari Mailing List: Re: Unobtanium manufacture

[Dave Craig (dave.craig]

John,

I have used a similar plastic printer before and yes, it really does work.
The problem is that the parts are very fragile and the surfaces are not
smooth curves but stepped edges (think of it as building a layer cake out of
plastic).  On the positive side, they are faster, cheaper, and are slightly
more robust than and SLA models (another 3D plastic modeling tool).  The SLA
technology can create a more intricate part and it is usually more
dimensionally accurate, but the downside to both of these technologies is
that they create very fragile parts.  

But, there is nothing cooler than spending a week designing an intricate 3D
model of a part and then hit print and the next morning it is sitting on
your desk.   

With China really stepping up their manufacturing (specifically their
injection molding capabilities) the cost of plastic tooling has really come
down.  I remember paying over $100K for some intricate plastic injection
molds (good for 1M shots) around 10-15 years ago and just last year a very
similar tool (also good for 1M shots) I got for $15K out of China.  The
point being that the main cost of starting up production and the cost of the
actual part was highly influenced by the tooling costs.  That is no longer
the case and it is fairly inexpensive to start making plastic parts now.    

Dave Craig 

-----Original Message-----
From: John Allison [mailto:johnallison [at] gmail.com] 
Sent: Friday, September 14, 2007 2:36 PM
To: Dave Craig
Cc: The FerrariList
Subject: [Ferrari] Unobtanium manufacture

Wow, I am writing a Ferrari related post.

    Based on my messed up memory, I believe a former list, possible
lurker, Verell Boaen, was making some small plastic Ferrari parts, via
molds etc.

So what if we could just print them up?  I stumbled on this just a
very minutes ago when avoiding listening to my Business Associations
class.
http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/14/desktop-factorys-cheapo-3d-printer-is-com
ing/

I thought that for $5000, one could create an interesting business
printing out little plastic parts for rare and overly expensive cars.

Now I don't know what parts in which Ferraris would make such an idea
viable.  Do you guys see a market for such things?  Print 10 plastic
windshield wiper covers, an so on.  It could also be good for Concours
cars too.  I don't see myself doing this with law school and starting
a brewery on my plate.  But for some you you classic restoration
folks, this might be a neat toy/tool.

No Connection, etc.  Not being paid, never seen this before today.

Best,

John
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