Quote:
Originally Posted by ruf
I can't believe that it was cheaper to print those parts than machine them? You have your own printer I assume? Fantastic work. Interesting choice of flipping the front and rear shocks. I hadn't noticed that from the drawings.
|
I don't have my own printer, they have it at Atomic Carbon. It is an FDM printer (an extrusion proces where it lays down a wire/string of material, forming a layer, and once one layer is done moves to the layer on top of that), they are relatively affordable and it's a quick and cheap way to make prototypes.
I must say though, if some parts are not strong enough I'll have to find a way to make them stronger (for example I think the suspension arms will get a beating and I can't be 100% certain they'll keep themselves in one piece with my driving style
). Machining could prove an option, another option would be to look at more sophisticated printing methods (and thus using a printing service).
All in all though, the parts feel quite strong: You can feel a tiny bit of flex, but they are quite rigid and even the printed plates (that will later be in carbon) seem to be able to handle quite a lot of punishment (screws that rotate enourmously tight at assembly and the printed plate being the only thing I could hold onto with my hands).
02-08-2012
Threaded Mode