How often do you break things that can only be repaired with 3D-printed parts? I once printed a fridge handle that was a very specific shape. Other than that it’s zip-ties or glue.
Smaller electronics that rely on special plastic clasps or hinges, think ITX computer cases or something like a game console or laptop. 3D printers are nice because then you don’t have to play Ebay part roulette or hope someone manufactures the particular part that snapped in half.
I have a semi related question to this: how do you create the CAD files for these things? It seems to me that to build highly accurate replacement parts, you need a highly accurate model of what broke. Do you just take a bunch of measurements, then do your best to guess and check? Is there a process to this, or what does this look like?
I ask because I make stuff with leather and am getting into making my own designs and patterns, but figuring out corners and curves with Fusion 360 is not intuitive for me. I have a project to make a Birkenstock sandal coming up, but the idea of making a piece of leather that will fit a person’s foot seems challenging and will involve lots of measurements, and a bit of guess and check unless a kind stranger on the Fediverse has insights into such things.
There was an obscure YouTube video I saw some months back that had someone doing this for her education. I’ll see if I can find it. She had techniques to deal with these issues, including printing foam soles.
I take measurements and guess and check from there. If I’m not sure I usually print just the portions that need to fit together to make adjustments from there. Usually it’s only one or two revisions to get something usable.
I fucken repair shit with 3D printed parts so that I don’t need to buy new shit.
How often do you break things that can only be repaired with 3D-printed parts? I once printed a fridge handle that was a very specific shape. Other than that it’s zip-ties or glue.
Smaller electronics that rely on special plastic clasps or hinges, think ITX computer cases or something like a game console or laptop. 3D printers are nice because then you don’t have to play Ebay part roulette or hope someone manufactures the particular part that snapped in half.
I have a semi related question to this: how do you create the CAD files for these things? It seems to me that to build highly accurate replacement parts, you need a highly accurate model of what broke. Do you just take a bunch of measurements, then do your best to guess and check? Is there a process to this, or what does this look like?
I ask because I make stuff with leather and am getting into making my own designs and patterns, but figuring out corners and curves with Fusion 360 is not intuitive for me. I have a project to make a Birkenstock sandal coming up, but the idea of making a piece of leather that will fit a person’s foot seems challenging and will involve lots of measurements, and a bit of guess and check unless a kind stranger on the Fediverse has insights into such things.
There was an obscure YouTube video I saw some months back that had someone doing this for her education. I’ll see if I can find it. She had techniques to deal with these issues, including printing foam soles.
Here it is.
Awesome, thank you! I’ll check it out after work today :)
I take measurements and guess and check from there. If I’m not sure I usually print just the portions that need to fit together to make adjustments from there. Usually it’s only one or two revisions to get something usable.
That’s a good idea, thanks!