Can this part be 3D printed? | FerrariChat

Can this part be 3D printed?

Discussion in '456/550/575' started by belfry, Feb 26, 2022.

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  1. belfry

    belfry Formula Junior

    May 14, 2015
    488
    UK
    Full Name:
    Robert Batt
    After my recent misfire issue due to the faulty ignition lead/boot and then learning that replacement sets don’t have the OEM Ferrari logo on the top of the rubber boots, I have been searching for used sets of ignition leads with the prancing horse logo and for less than the £2000 quoted for a replacement set.

    I now have a complete used set of 12 leads (with the logos) however both of the plastic cover/shrouds has breaks in them. When I look at my originals still on my car they also have breaks in them. I understand this is due to the heat generated from the engine weakening the plastic.

    I wonder if these are something that could be 3-D printed? I’d also be interested to know if everyone’s covers are cracked, would you mind taking a look at yours?
     
  2. belfry

    belfry Formula Junior

    May 14, 2015
    488
    UK
    Full Name:
    Robert Batt
  3. belfry

    belfry Formula Junior

    May 14, 2015
    488
    UK
    Full Name:
    Robert Batt
  4. Aerosurfer

    Aerosurfer Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 21, 2020
    1,911
    Indianapolis
    Full Name:
    Nick
    Mine are both cracked in 2 places, yes. If there is a feasible way to recreate and reprint, id love to know as well
     
  5. dodici

    dodici Karting

    Mar 24, 2007
    101
    Bay Area, CA.
    Full Name:
    Dale
    Most likely the answer is yes but you would need a printer with a print bed to handle the length (which I don't have).
     
  6. EastMemphis

    EastMemphis Formula 3
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    May 25, 2019
    1,858
    Memphis, TN
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    John
    Unfortunately, most 3D printers use a thermoplastic polymer, which would likely melt so close to the engine manifold. The heat limits on thermoplastic used in a standard FDM printer are limited to around 160F. Anything over that would cause the plastic to get weak, change shape and eventually just ooze.

    Other 3D printers use resin but that is also thermally sensitive.

    One way to get around this is to create a plug using a 3D printer, then make a mold out of silicone or urethane and cast an appropriate material that can take the heat. This is actually a viable method but is very labor and skill intensive. The results can be quite good though.

    Here's a part I made using that process:

    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  7. belfry

    belfry Formula Junior

    May 14, 2015
    488
    UK
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    Robert Batt
    Thank you for this information. Really useful and interesting. A silicone cover would be perfect. I wonder what the next few steps would be?
     
  8. EastMemphis

    EastMemphis Formula 3
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    May 25, 2019
    1,858
    Memphis, TN
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    John
    The first step would be to digitize the part using design software like Fusion 360. This is usually the easy part. If the result is going to be made from silicone, then the mold can be 3D printed directly, and the part cast using high grade silicone.

    The size of the 3D printer doesn't matter much as the parts can be printed in pieces then glued together. The strength of the resulting part doesn't matter since it's only going to be used as a mold.

    An alternate method would be to first make a negative mold from the existing part, cast a positive in epoxy, then sand it to remove the cracks and such, finish it with a high grade two part automotive clearcoat and make a mold from that for the finished part.

    I wrote an article on how I made the wind stop gaskets for the 360/430 Spiders.

    https://www.ferrari360.org/2021/12/creating-automotive-trim-using-two-part.html
     
    Jaguar36, dsd and brogenville like this.
  9. brogenville

    brogenville Formula 3
    Rossa Subscribed

    Apr 24, 2012
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    Robin
    Lovely work Memphis!


    Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat
     
  10. dsd

    dsd F1 Rookie
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Nov 19, 2006
    4,276
    Northern Virginia
    What are the dimensions. Common print beds are 200mm square or so. There are larger FDM printers though.

    ABS and ASA have a glass transition of around 220F. The idea of a silicon mold is probably the best.
     
  11. bay

    bay Formula 3

    Mar 13, 2011
    1,275
    Belgium
    Full Name:
    Bernard
  12. bay

    bay Formula 3

    Mar 13, 2011
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    Full Name:
    Bernard
  13. bay

    bay Formula 3

    Mar 13, 2011
    1,275
    Belgium
    Full Name:
    Bernard

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