Facebook, CAD & 3D printing it’s not all bad!

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

I know a few here are not keen on CAD and even more are not keen of Facebook but it does have it’s uses.

I was recently messaged by someone who had a friend (only met via FB) living in the Netherlands who has an old Gardner horizontal engine of 1890’s vintage but it was missing the cast iron valve block. The Friend had access to a 3D printer but did not have the ability to draw up a 3D model so wanted to know if I could do it.

I said yes provided I could be sent (via FB) as many photos and measurements from another engine of similar design which belonged to another FB member. Within 12hrs I had 30 odd images mostly with either a steel rule or digital calliper in the shot so set to drawing it up.

Having produced a provisional 3D model I quickly took a few screen shots and produced a pdf file of elevations at 1:1 for the guy to cut out and try against his engine.

After a couple of revisions due to slight differences between the two engines, the final pdf was sent off and checked before adding some machining allowances and draft angles to the two flanges plush a shrinkage allowance before cutting in two and producing .STP files that the 3D printer could make use of.

A couple of days later the 3D prints have been done and will now go off for casting, I’ll post images of the cast and fully machined part when I get them again via Facebook

[File HandleParticipant @filehandle]

The best thing about the Internet is that anybody can write anything, the worst thing about the Internet is that anybody can write anything. definitely the former in your case!

[Clive FarrarParticipant @clivefarrar90441]

Well that makes the MT 2 blanking plugs that I downloaded from thingiverse for my new wood lathe pale into total insignificance.

Nice work Jason.  I appreciate the effort that has gone into that.   I am sure your contact will get good results.

 

 

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