Pagoda SL Group

W113 Pagoda SL Group => General Discussion => Topic started by: mdsalemi on September 21, 2012, 17:33:56

Title: Every Part.
Post by: mdsalemi on September 21, 2012, 17:33:56

I just had the occasion to attend a trade show called "Design2Part" in Akron, Ohio. http://www.d2p.com

As I walked the 5 aisles of the show, I realized that just with the vendors on display, one could take nearly ANY part from our cars (or any cars for that matter) and:

1) have it reverse-engineered and CAD drawings made
2) make plastic or other prototypes by 3D printing
3) have it forged, stamped, cast, machined, formed, molded out of any metal, plastic or rubber compound
4) have it plated, painted, and finished

Most of the vendors specialized in small prototype like quantities (the custom spring maker has a minimum of 10 units, pretty low)

If you wonder how some of the long forgotten cars get restored...its vendors like this.  I'm sure this show goes all over the country, and it's pretty regional, so when in the SE, there will be manufacturers from that region.  Ditto for the west coast.

The array of new technologies using lasers for cutting and forming were astounding. Lots of things formerly needing very expensive tooling are now done with other technologies for lower costs in smaller quantities.

Title: Re: Every Part.
Post by: Run MBC on September 21, 2012, 17:53:27

Jay Leno needs to reproduce a lot of obsolete parts to keep his collection operational and is a big fan of this technology: http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/jay-leno/technology/4320759

Title: Re: Every Part.
Post by: bogeyman on September 21, 2012, 18:22:42

Michael:
You didn't bring along an original brake fluid reservoir?
Should be child's play for those guys.

Title: Re: Every Part.
Post by: mdsalemi on September 21, 2012, 19:15:37

Quote from: bogeyman on September 21, 2012, 18:22:42

Michael:
You didn't bring along an original brake fluid reservoir?
Should be child's play for those guys.

All I have is the crooked one!! :D
Actually this place was probably not the best to see blow molding, there are other trade shows for that...

Title: Re: Every Part.
Post by: JamesL on September 26, 2012, 06:50:11

The BBC has cottoned on,...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-19347120

Title: Re: Every Part.
Post by: Flyair on October 27, 2012, 16:14:01

Michael,

I went recently to a similar presentation and… I was thrilled.Exactly as I said, you can get about any part ou wish. From that to getting an "old-new" Pagoda is a question of time. I somehow started to think whether living organisms can also be "printed" this way one day???

Title: Re: Every Part.
Post by: Ulf on October 29, 2012, 14:34:15

Wow - that's the automotive equivalent of Jurassic Park!