Can anyone print me this?

[Gragson]

I need a motor wiring cover. It will get warm but not very hot.
I would send the steel OE cover for exact dims if someone can copy and print.
Don't know a lot about 3D printing so not sure how complicated this shape would be to reproduce.
For payment - cheers.

 

[Anguz]

Post the measurements up... i may have a proper one at work... what make is the motor?

 

[Screwdriver]

Would you want it to be a "perfect" replica? Could the curves be squared off?

 

[Gragson]

Post the measurements up... i may have a proper one at work... what make is the motor?

ID base is 75mm x 78mm, slopes up OD from about 5mm to 25mm
Its a small quite old GDR VEB motor, see plate. Its off a hobbymat miill.
If you have similar at work that would be great.

Would you want it to be a "perfect" replica? Could the curves be squared off?

It really does not need to be a replica, and no need for the outside curvature but does need to mate well enough, so internal mating curvature would be desirable.

 

[Anguz]

Hole centers?

 

[Gragson]

L to R of the 75mm ID, hole centres are 65mm apart.
Top to bottom of the 78mm ID is approx half that 39mm ish
Holes are 5mm

 

[Bladevane]

@Gragson - something like the attached? This is purely a representation and is not dimensionally accurate. Others on here will probably do a much better job or you might even get a "proper" one donated.

 

[Maker]

As much as I dislike the idea of a 3D printed wiring cover, it looked like a challenge to model, so I had a go:

Would you want it to be a "perfect" replica? Could the curves be squared off?

It was looking forward to bashing Sketchup and saying there's no need to square it off in a "proper" CAD program, but it was actually a lot of faff to get the chamfers to behave properly.

 

[Bladevane]

That is a class job. Well done. I can only look on in admiration.

 

[Screwdriver]

As much as I dislike the idea of a 3D printed wiring cover, it looked like a challenge to model, so I had a go:
View attachment 361300

View attachment 361301



It was looking forward to bashing Sketchup and saying there's no need to square it off in a "proper" CAD program, but it was actually a lot of faff to get the chamfers to behave properly.

I was not intending to copy this pressed steel cover because I would not be using that manufacturing process. The radiuses and draft are there for ease of manufacture. A large void needs either a LOT of support or printing upside down. Print upside down and the radius becomes a huge issue, will look super nasty as the lower radius prints mid air or on supports and a scruffy print will promote delamination at the exact point you need strength. Similarly, FDM will not give the required strength at the flange where it needs to be flat and stiff so that also needs to be reengineered to suit the process.

This is the strength of a simple program like sketchup. You can easily and quickly design a component based on how you think it should look and not have to abstract the design process while battling with a fantastically complex interface.

It does LOOK good.

Won't print though and even if it could print, it won't work...

 

[Maker]

Fair enough, I didn't know it would be so hard to print an exact copy (I've only ever had very simple blocky parts made), but the strength and surface finish issues are exactly why I don't like (FDM) 3D printing.

 

[Screwdriver]

Fair enough, I didn't know it would be so hard to print an exact copy (I've only ever had very simple blocky parts made), but the strength and surface finish issues are exactly why I don't like (FDM) 3D printing.

I agree but you play to the strengths and mitigate any weakness. Upside down print for example also produces the best glassy smooth finish on the most visible part. Also very easy to print a name, logo, circuit diagram or even a small hood ornament. Whatever you want...

Regards strength, even FDM will produce a very strong part if care is taken with both the design and orientation of the print.

I am jealous of the superb quality of the 3d images from Fusion. They always look so neat and clean but for sketching out ideas quickly, the enormous power of the program just makes speed an issue. I will go through several iterations of a design before I home in on "the one".

 

[Maker]

I get what you're saying about playing to it's strengths, it's no different to machining, I tend to design everything to be made up of concentric circles where possible because I'm going to machine it on a lathe, and print orientation is a lot like work holding and fixturing which is always 90 percent of the battle.

They always look so neat and clean but for sketching out ideas quickly, the enormous power of the program just makes speed an issue.

The images I posted look so neat because I turned the lines off before taking a screenshot. There is another issue with Fusion too - It keeps f'king crashing.

 

[Anguz]

Got diverted to an emergency job today, so never had time to have a rummage under the bench
Wont be back there till tuesday

 

[Gragson]

Got diverted to an emergency job today, so never had time to have a rummage under the bench
Wont be back there till tuesday

No rush mate, if you could have a nose when you're there would be appreciated in case you have something similar.

Enjoying the 3D posts, does not look an easy thing..

As much as I dislike the idea of a 3D printed wiring cover, it looked like a challenge to model, so I had a go:

The detail in that looks great and so smooth
Not sure why you wouldn't like a well made plastic cover on a wiring box, given the GDR 60's pointy out metal connectors I would prefer it.

 

[Maker]

Not sure why you wouldn't like a well made plastic cover on a wiring box, given the GDR 60's pointy out metal connectors I would prefer it.

I don't have a problem with plastic parts, just 3D printed parts. If you wanted to 3D print a former and vacuum form a plastic cover I'd be all for it.

 

[Gragson]

Huge thanks to @Bladevane

Chunky, sturdy build, perfect sleeker fitting, and they look great! - and better than OE cover in that they won't conduct either.

Big thanks G

The helpfulness of the people on this forum is just great