56 replies to this topic

[Zippity]

[Lumpy]

IIRC, "Thee" Mike Swiss has already campaigned a racing series based around 3D printed chassis.

I have been wrong before.

[Dennis David]

Slot.it is selling 3d chassis in partnership with Sgapways

[havlicek]

There are new desktop 3D printers and scanners that are bringing this stuff into the realm of possibility because of much better pricing.  Having a 3D scanner makes the whole process dead-easy because you don't need to do 3D CAD.  The real deal though is in the various powders that the systems use, and the best, most durable and heat resistant powders are still used in the expensive printers.  Right now though, I believe you can get a 3D scanner for under a grand, and the printers for not THAT much more...maybe two grand or so.

 

-john

[SlotStox#53]

Think the one Zippity linked to is one that Micromark are starting to sell for around $700 DIY construction set !

 

This uses the more basic spool of  thermal extruded rod (plastic string) but it's a full on 3D printer for under a grand Time to start saving John , your own range of 3D printed replacement endbells

 

As Dennis mentioned Slot it have done 3D printed chassis in their own Shapeways store to take a Slot it motor pod etc . There's I think 3 chassis that fit a few of the Carrera DTM cars..

[havlicek]

The material isn't good enough (as far as I know) for end bells because of heat Paul....at least yet

 

-john

[SlotStox#53]

The material isn't good enough (as far as I know) for end bells because of heat Paul....at least yet

 

-john

I know , remember this very discussion a little while a go ,but with prices coming down you never know what's round the corner John One can hope you can get started on some 3D printing at some point

 

Now all you need is to start having your own motor cans formed

[havlicek]

Now all you need is to start having your own motor cans formed   

 
Nah, Paul. There's plenty of 'em out there already.  

 

I still DO think though that the one-piece "drawn" ones are better than the folded/welded ones (much as I love the Muras) and the Falcon/TSRF type (as well as all the cheap modern Mabuchis!) are a great example.

 

On endbells, even 3D printing would not be as easy as say printing a little statue, because both the inside and the outside need to be spot on... as well as having to be done out of a heat resistant material. I doubt very seriously that I'll ever be doing any of this, but someone, somewhere just might.
 
-john

[Mr. HP]

It already is...

Some of you guys might remember this THREAD.

I've been printing my own slot and R/C components for several years on a hi-res polyjet style printer. Up until recently there was no way I could offer anything I printed at a reasonable price, but thanks to printing services like Shapways and all the small DIY personal 3D printers it's becoming very affordable for the hobbyist.

This chassis (and a few others) will be available very soon through Shapways, I'm just making some final tweaks  . The finished car should weigh approx 100 grams and the material is pretty durable. More details to come...

Rapid RC at Shapeways
Rapid P/C on Facebook





This is a 3D printed 1/10 R/C off-road chassis I've raced successfully several times over the last couple years. No failures and the weight is the same as the factory ABS molded piece.

[n.elmholt]

I have been selling 3D printed chassis from my Shapeways shop for a couple of years now.
 

 
They are slightly modified and improved copies of the discontinued German White Point chassis.
 
The material is pretty strong and durable.
 
More pics, etc. HERE.
 
Please note that 3D printing is done is different ways, depending on material etc. My chassis are build up in a powder bath by a laser or something similar, while most available 3D printers are using nylon filament.
 
Prices for printers are coming down, so it's getting more and more interesting :-) but you still have to master 3D software to be able to use it properly. :-(
 
Niels, DK

[Dave Crevie]

Exactly. The only system usable for chassis and other plastic parts is the powder system. FDM created parts melt a a very low temperature due to the process, which involves heating a plastic filament to the point it becomes sticky and will adhere to the already applied layers.

The system that Steve uses is the powder system, and the machine is very expensive.

By the way, Steve is a true whiz kid at designing chassis, and also created the master for Mike Swiss of the McLaren F1 body Chicagoland sells.

[Dennis David]

I just bought my first 3D chassis for a Fly Porsche 908.

[Mbloes]

Pics...

[Half Fast]

Mr. HP,

 

That red chassis is a very elegant and professional design.

 

Cheers,

[Mr. HP]

Thanks for the compliment!
 
I finally have that one and a couple others available on Shapeways if anybody is interested!
 
Rapid Slot at Shapeways
Rapid Slot on Facebook
 

 

 

[Zippity]

How do they handle?

[Mr. HP]

Very well.

Both the 4” and 4.5” chassis’ have tuning features to adjust the amount of pan movement and the center section has provisions to add two pieces of .047” piano wire to add rigidity if needed.

The assembled car will weigh approx. 95-100 grams (depending on choice of motor and body), for bumpy or low traction conditions there are optional 3D printed metal tuning weights.

The hot rod chassis handles like a ’34 Ford, but is still fun to drive.

[Bernie]

Steve is a real Merlin! Very cool.

[Cheater]

Here's a short video of Mike Swiss hot-lapping Steve Grider's new 3d chassis at Chicagoland. Looks like it handles pretty darn well!

 

[Mr. HP]

Thanks for sharing that Greg!
 
Here's a slow-motion vid of the car coming up the donut and onto the straight... 
 

[Bernie]

Got a firsthand look at these cars yesterday and the only words to describe them are "Uber Cool".

Hope they have a place in the market.

[Dave Fiedler]

You are quite right, Bernie!

Great work, Steve.

[Dave Crevie]

Mike was able to get into the low 5s last night, which is close to Retro Can-Am times.

I also drove the car and found it very forgiving, a plus for me. It was particularly good in the donut.

I would really like to see a spec class with these, especially with Trans-Am bodies.

[Trevor Neilson]

Cool vid. Looks so wrong the direction the car travels in. It might be we are at the bottom of the world but I have noticed you guys seem to run the opposite way than we do.

[Pappy]

We run either right to left or left to right, what direction do you guys run?       

Just joking with you, Trevor.