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.
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!