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I have been working on a 3d printed intake for first gen miatas. 3d printing feels to me like a tech that is almost ready for automotive use. 3d printing a plug or mold and doing composite parts overtop looks like a really good way to go.

I think in 5-10 years SLS machines will be more affordable and it will become a really useful for making custom parts.


Big image: http://i.imgur.com/dNm82Gf.jpg

The problem with the current material*, is that it starts to deform at a fairly low temperature. I would not trust it in the engine bay. It's okay as a mold, but I think you would have to remove it from the structure. You might be able to use that to your advantage. You can make a very complex object, like you have designed. Lay the fiberglass or carbon fiber around it, and then melt the mold away with a heat gun.

*Particularly the PLA material. I haven't used the ABS material yet.

Here's my finished intake. It turned out fairly well considering I screwed something up every step along the way. I'm going to make another one to see if I can do it without those mistakes. Someone at work suggested that I should turn it into a flashlight.

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In need of car.

After hearing a broadcast on NPR about lo cost 3D printers I did some looking around and it is possible to build a unit that uses plastic filament available in a variety of colors and materials. These work like a hot melt glue gun with a really long glue stick (reel of filament). There are several 3D printers out there that can be bought pre-assembled for under $2K, but for 1/4 that amount you should be able to print an 8"cube.
http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2013/11/08/243951594/for-a-few-hundred-bucks-you-can-make-your-own-3-d-printer
Charlie G

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1998 BMW Z3
1987 BMW 325is
2000 BMW
1996 F250 Turbo Diesel

Yes, one particularly smart guy in my class started making his own printer. He printed some parts on the printer at school, and had also bought about $250 in circuit boards and servos. I'm not sure if he finished it, yet.

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It's for people who know what a corner is.