355 3D Printed Ashtray Project

Finishing a 3D PLA print is really quite easy. My steps to a smooth PLA print: (Using Amazon Basic black PLA)

1. Prime with a rattle can. I use https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002984MU0. Nice color too.
2. Wet sand with 300 until color from the PLA shows. The point is to fill the lines, not change the dimensions.
3. Prime again.
4. If lines still visible, and generally, there's a few areas that need extra work after the first go, repeat at 2.
5. Lightly wet sand with 800.
6. Add finish coats to suit.

The less work put into finishing, the better the dimensional results. Sanding can take enough material off to make something not fit right so the idea is to add just enough paint to fill in the grooves and to sand just enough to remove only primer. The net dimensional change is near zero if done properly. This is fast process too.

I have a Prusa MK3S+ and usually print at .1mm layers. This makes the print pretty smooth to start with.

 

So, after having the replacement ashtray for a week or so, I’ve realized that I’d prefer to have a cup holder instead. However, I don’t want the carbon fiber ones that are available on the market so I made two 3D printed designs.

Design number one is a complete integrated cup holder.

I don’t like the 3D printed look and didn’t feel like doing a lot of finish work, especially on the inside of the cup holder so design two is a two-piece that uses a cup holder insert from Amazon. Also, it makes cleaning spillage easier since you can remove the cup holder.

Cup holder
https://a.co/d/0fF1IG6

I’ve attached some pics below. I still need to do the finish work on the model. I may try to find a rubber pad that goes in the bottom of the cup holder so it looks nicer and cover up the drain holes.

If anyone wants the STL files, let me know and I’ll upload them to Printable.

PS: printed out of ABS now instead of PLA


Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Oh so useful

 

Finished the cup holder and rewired the cigarette lighter for a USB charger on the right.

PS: is the cigarette lighter suppose to be powered even when the ignition is off?


Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

I believe the newer cars, mid 98 ~ 99, need the ignition to be on.

 

Gotcha. Thanks! Always appreciate your help!

 

Update: so I found some coasters on Amazon that fit perfectly inside the cup holder that makes it look nicer and appear more factory. If anyone wants to duplicate this setup, here’s the link to the

https://a.co/d/fUg3ZYV
Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

That looks great

 

I need one of these. Let me know if you run a few extra

 

Me too as I don't have a printer

 

Wow! I too will happily purchase one.

 

Excellent post, thank for sharing.
Did you try to print it in PETG?
How much support does it need (I'm a newbie in 3D print). My program is generating a lots of them.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Wow! Put me down for one as well should you decide to make them available.

 

He's posted the part file.

All you have to do is download it and upload it to one of the many 3-D printing services available to get a quote (Xometry, Shapeways, Hubs, etc). Cost should be in the $50-80 range depending on material and speed of order (shipping).

 

I use Cura to generate the g-code. I used the Tree option for supports, I've been exclusively using the tree option since it was introduced. It seems to use the least amount of support material without sacrificing quality.

I printed in ABS only. It's been holding up perfectly fine in the hot sun. PLA deformed the day it was out in the sun lol. I've never used PETG. If you try it, let me know!

 

I just installed Cura and with the tree option with 20% infill, it shows 10 1/2 hours!
PLA is indeed no good for car parts but I really want to try PETG. I've read it is OK up to 80°C. That should be OK.

 

I have an Ender 3. I'm able to print ABS at 80mm/s. I think it took around 9hrs. You can try printing it upside down so there's less supports but with ABS the bottom (top of the ashtray) will warp, even with glue and a large brim. I didn't try using a raft though, but that would create a lot more finishing work.

 

I have a sidewinder X1 and I still practicing to get some results, so my speed is 60% for the moment.
I'm gonna order some PETG and try it. (I can' print ABS without a seal box).

 

Nice work, look very nice. Can you share the file?

 

Why on earth would you want it to drain inside your console? It's a GREAT idea, I'm just confused. No other automotive cup holder has a drain.

sjd

 

I printed mine in PETG (more heat resistant than PLA) in 13 hrs (100% infill).
Unfortunately it broke as soon as I fitted the metal cover on it.
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Maybe if the metal cover were on same material, the flex would have been shared between the two parts instead of putting all the strenght on one of them?

Too bad, it was looking good otherwise.
(there was another problem: I couldn't fit the mirror control module aside. Maybe the rail underside is too small?).

Image Unavailable, Please Login

So for the moment: back to the original broken/glued ashtray.

 

Doh! That sucks.. Ya, that tab needs to be fairly thick for strength, unfortunately, it makes it less flexible for when you're putting the cover in. I'm thinking it may be better to redesign that tab and make it a separate piece that you attach/screw in once the cover is fitted.

 

Nice work in this thread!

I found it because I had considered doing this and other bits of the console.
I also have an Ender (and 20years cad/plastic part design experience)

 

My original re-glued ashtray broke again.
I'm tempted to print another one, and find a late 360 plastic ashtray lid, so this way I won't break the ashtray when inserting the metal lid, like last time.
Unless someone is able to make a print file for the lid?

 

I could model the lid, if I can find time!