3D PRINTING MAKES IT EASY TO CREATE THE AUTO PARTS YOU NEED
Is your classic or vintage car missing a few hard-to-find parts? Finding replacement parts for old cars can be a challenge. If the manufacturer no longer kept the part in stock, your options were limited. You either had to rummage through auto salvage lots or search for the part online and hope you find one that’s not too expensive.
3D printing has been a game changer when it comes to replacement auto parts. 3D print technology has made it faster, easier, and more affordable to recreate hard-to-find parts. In addition, 3D printing gives car owners the capability to customize their parts to suit their tastes.
HOW IS 3D PRINTING USED TO CREATE AUTO PARTS
3D printing is a form of additive manufacturing. It creates a part or other object based on a digital file. Unlike subtractive manufacturing , such as milling, which fabricates a part by removing materials from a workpiece, 3D printing creates a part by adding layer upon layer of material until the desired shape and size are achieved.
Almost any auto part can be manufactured using 3D printing. This includes engine components such as valves, pistons, and cylinders as well as body parts like dashboards, side panels, doors, and headlight assemblies. The process is ideally suited for the high performance parts with intricate surface details and complex inner passages. It can also be used to create the jigs and fixtures used to secure auto parts in place while they are being machined, assembled, or undergoing quality control testing.
There are many different kinds of 3D print technology. Fused deposition modeling (FDM) is most commonly used to create custom auto parts. FDM offers many advantages over other 3D print methods; it’s affordable, can be used with a wide range of materials, and is capable of producing large parts like bumpers.
During the FDM process, filaments of ABS, PLA, or other production material are melted and extruded through a heated nozzle. The nozzle moves along the X, Y, and Z axes, depositing the melted material layer by layer to create a three dimensional object. Print quality and speed are impacted by factors like part complexity, resolution, and size.
3D PRINTED PARTS IN HOUSTON
ProTek Models & 3D Printing is your partner for high-quality automotive 3D printing in Houston. We work with enthusiasts, collectors, and custom auto shops to reproduce hard to find vintage parts or create custom designed parts. There’s no 3D print project we can’t handle!
Our experienced team can print parts for prototypes as well as production parts. We can produce precision parts for any type of vehicle, from high performance race cars and motorcycles to passenger vehicles and pickup trucks.
ProTek Models is located just North of Houston in Conroe, TX, and serves businesses all over the Houston metro area. Get in touch with us today to discuss your automotive 3D printing needs and get a free quote. You can contact us through our website or call (832) 968-6636.