Engine Cover: 3D print and model search
 

Hey Guys,

Not sure if posting here will find most people well but here it goes. Got a buddy at work who's good at 3D printing stuff. Based on the size of the printing tray, I figured it would be feasible to print a custom engine cover for the FA20. I'm still not sure about the temp rating, but I'll worry about that later. Has anyone ever attempted to take measurements of the engine cover? Or better yet, has anyone ever tried to create a 3d model for this? Let me know plzz! :party0030:

Not sure about using 3d print material since it's made of sugar right? might be good for making a mold for a carbon fiber job though.

Shape ways has 50 material options to print.

you can 3D print ABS, polycarbonate, titanium...virtuallyl unlimited now. We use a plastic called Ultem for a few race car parts.

I'm talking more about the model. I think I've already decided ABS is the best in this scenario since it has a higher melting point. I just need a model, and I'm too lazy to learn how to make one.

I have an engine cover in my basement from my spare engine so I might scan it in the next few days. I would be using an xbox360 kinect and kscan3d software so it might not be the best result but it could probably be cleaned up.

Sounds like you might be "too lazy" to get this project done..

See that I could work with..

Thank you, we are all dumber now that you chimed in.

I'm working on it, but it's not turning out very well. I'm going to put together a turntable this week so that i can get the whole cover without moving the camera. Moving the camera around the cover is causing alignment issues.

learning to 3d design one is a lot easier than you might think. having a digital caliper and using fusion 360 is a great place to start. having a 3d scanned model could potentially be helpful, but you'd still need to learn how to 3d edit the model if you're going to customize it.

My scanning of the cover isn't working well. The software is now constantly confusing the front of the cover with the back and trying to merge them all into one side. I don't think the hardware i have is good enough to scan it.

ive been 3D printing for a couple years now, ABS prints at around 230c, so it should be able to take some engine bay heat. as for scanning i can see if i can borrow a LLP scanner from work, or just scan it at work when I get the car there. Being certified in solidworks also helps ;) though printing is a useful tool, thats all it is is a tool, id suggest printing a mock up and wrapping in carbon or another material to a) avoid heat/melting issues, and b) itll look a lot better and be a lot stronger. 3d printing metals are WAY to expensive right now, a part that big could easily set you back 30k+

sanding then spray painting with high temp resistant paint i think would work well too.