• Welcome to the Two Wheeled Texans community! Feel free to hang out and lurk as long as you like. However, we would like to encourage you to register so that you can join the community and use the numerous features on the site. After registering, don't forget to post up an introduction!

3D Printing - who has mastered this?

Forums New posts
I recently jumped into the 3d printing waters. Bought a Bambu P1S and a Einstar 2 3d scanner. I've been printing lots of stuff from other makers and did have a friend help me out in the Solidworks area with designing an enclosure for my Valentine One Remote Audio module. Long ago, I cut a hole in my dash for the module. It looked way unfinished with the module just shoved in the hole. I took his design and modified it so that the bezel had more meat to it and had smoother lines. I relied on AI to help me source ASA that would match the dash of the 2002 Excursion. I don't drive the truck that often so lets just say I didn't remember that it has a two tone interior. AI picked a light tan that matches the door panels but not the dash. LOL

I have a long way to go on mastering Solidworks.

1778502445565.png


1778502478450.png
 
Scorch said:
I'm thinking about getting one. There's always some small part I wish I could create out of thin air for a bike, helmet, misc project. Right now, I'm wanting to make an H-shaped plastic bracket that would allow different windscreens to bolt onto bikes that don't have a specific model available, like a universal mount.

Is there a thread devoted to 3D printing projects here? Or are there any gurus here I could consult with? DFW_Warrior, have any advice?


​

Click to expand...
That H-bracket sounds like a perfect use case for a printer. Most universal mounts are bulky, so being able to spec your own for a specific bike is a game changer. If you haven't checked it out yet, look into PETG or ASA for those parts—PLA will just melt or warp the first time the bike sits in the sun.
 
TwinSpar said:
I recently jumped into the 3d printing waters. Bought a Bambu P1S and a Einstar 2 3d scanner. I've been printing lots of stuff from other makers and did have a friend help me out in the Solidworks area with designing an enclosure for my Valentine One Remote Audio module. Long ago, I cut a hole in my dash for the module. It looked way unfinished with the module just shoved in the hole. I took his design and modified it so that the bezel had more meat to it and had smoother lines. I relied on AI to help me source ASA that would match the dash of the 2002 Excursion. I don't drive the truck that often so lets just say I didn't remember that it has a two tone interior. AI picked a light tan that matches the door panels but not the dash. LOL

I have a long way to go on mastering Solidworks.

1778502445565.png


1778502478450.png
Click to expand...
A loooong time ago when I started Solidworks, the best advice I got was to try to model parts in the way you would machine or fabricate it. Lathe (revolve), mill (cut), 3d printer (extrude) and combinations of all

Draw the plane - either extrude (build) or cut (remove) in a straight line, a revolve, or a path (loft).

Like any other thing in life, the more you use it, the more proficient you become. The there is a lot of online content

Just FYI Solidsworks makers license if pretty cheap

 
Last edited:
You got some pretty good advice.

Started Solidworks with version '98, moved from ProEngineer running on UNIX. What a revolution that was. Company went to Inventor in about 2013. I still prefer Solidworks. Maker's version is only about $50 a year.
 
one Wolf said:
You got some pretty good advice.

Started Solidworks with version '98, moved from ProEngineer running on UNIX. What a revolution that was. Company went to Inventor in about 2013. I still prefer Solidworks. Maker's version is only about $50 a year.
Click to expand...
I started with lead (blue, F, H2), Leroy lettering sets, elipse templates, compass, eraser shield etc. Moved onto Autocad LT and finally got on SW circa 2012. 2d to 3d took some learning. Although, I was doing isometric drawing in the 2d package.

When I was first doing exp prototypes circa 80s/90s, it was most efficient to machine/build the apparatus, and see if it worked before making a drawing package. That process has been definitely been reversed
 
FE_Rex said:
A loooong time ago when I started Solidworks, the best advice I got was to try to model parts in the way you would machine or fabricate it. Lathe (revolve), mill (cut), 3d printer (extrude) and combinations of all

Draw the plane - either extrude (build) or cut (remove) in a straight line, a revolve, or a path (loft).

Like any other thing in life, the more you use it, the more proficient you become. The there is a lot of online content

Just FYI Solidsworks makers license if pretty cheap

Click to expand...
Thanks for the guidance on design process! That makes sense! Btw... I have the maker version
 
FE_Rex said:
I started with lead (blue, F, H2), Leroy lettering sets, elipse templates, compass, eraser shield etc.
Click to expand...
I still have all my manual tools and templates. I'm waiting for the big digital/AI world to crash. Then I can work for 7 figures because I'm the only one left with the stuff. Or maybe I just don't throw things out that I should have by now.
 
X1Glider said:
I still have all my manual tools and templates. I'm waiting for the big digital/AI world to crash. Then I can work for 7 figures because I'm the only one left with the stuff. Or maybe I just don't throw things out that I should have by now.
Click to expand...
Kinda like the guys who still know how to program in COBOL? :D
 
FE_Rex said:
I started with lead (blue, F, H2), Leroy lettering sets, elipse templates, compass, eraser shield etc. Moved onto Autocad LT and finally got on SW circa 2012. 2d to 3d took some learning. Although, I was doing isometric drawing in the 2d package.

When I was first doing exp prototypes circa 80s/90s, it was most efficient to machine/build the apparatus, and see if it worked before making a drawing package. That process has been definitely been reversed
Click to expand...
If we're really going back, took mechanical drawing in the 8th grade, 1965. Used a drafting machine in the 1970s. As an engineer, began using AutoCad Ver 2.x in about 1985. Then a horrible experience with Versacad in the early '90s. In and out of IT a couple of times and still have my COBOL column scale ruler.

Modern technology is pretty incredible and very reliable these days.
 
FE_Rex said:
What about Fortran with numbered 5081’s ?????
Click to expand...
Don't know about that, but I recall a couple of years ago there were some companies paying big bucks to get some experienced Cobol programmers in because they were still using their really old applications.
 
I know what it is, just don't know of anyone paying well to those who know it these days.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top