3D printed dash plastic

[laserfish]

Has anyone done or considered having new dash plastic 3D printed? I know some of the material is really tough and they produce some really intricate things. I would think this would be relatively simple

[isaac]

Having a 3D printer myself, I see two obstacles. One is the size of the print bed….mine can print about one square foot, so any larger panel would need to be pieced together. Two is the need for a CAD model for the panel. My 2003 22v’s dash plastic is a compound curve with tapered ends and doing the design in my CAD package is beyond my skill level and would at least take quite a bit of trial and error. Maybe a high quality 3D scan of a panel could be made, but that takes expensive equipment I think.

I keep threatening to make a fiberglass version of my dash plastic, which I think would be easier, and more durable. Maybe a project for next winter….

[laserfish]

Isaac, right there with you on the fiberglass. Thought about an aluminum panel as well. Something thin that could be curved easily. Not knowing the details of glassing, I wonder if you could use the original as a splash mold? Size seems to be the biggest drawback for printing.

[isaac]

I think I would put a lot of wax and mold release on my current plastic parts (after removing from boat) and cover the A side with 3oz glass and epoxy. Then after curing, I’d lay heavier glass to stiffen it. Then pray the mold release works so I can remove the original plastic part from the layup. If that works then I’d use the mold I just made to create the actual part.

What has held me back is fearing that the plastic parts get stuck to the fiberglass, and then I’ve ruined the original!

[h2o-ski]

If the plastic is HDPE which it most likely is, polyester resin will not stick to it or at least not hold on with much strength. Packing tape will also work as barrier for expoy, Boatworks today on youtube uses packing tape quite often

[isaac]

Thanks for the tips, but unfortunately the large plastic part forming the bulk of the panel which holds the gauges on my 2003 22v is ABS

[h2o-ski]

From my quick google search polyester will not adhere to ABS plastic either. My suggestion would be to make a mold using polyester resin and glass, and then use epoxy and glass for the actual part.