3d printed dash bezel.

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Clelan

Clelan

Inferno Red Duster
FABO Gold Member
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Martensville Sask. Can.
I've been working with a local company to design and print a dash bezel for my 74 Duster with a flat back that can be cut for any gauge configuration. Due to Covid 19 it took a long time to get my first prototype printed but I finally got it today. I have not fitted it yet but comparing it to the original it was patterned from it looks like the top corners may be narrow by just abit. It will be easy to fix on the next one. It's quite sturdy.
Dont mind the color, it saved a couple bucks having it printed out of a color they had surplus of and it's a prototype. They are paintable anyway. Do you think this could be marketable? I think I could come in much lower than anything currently available and I like the idea of it being completely customizable from color to gauge layout. It would require a bit of hand work (sanding to the desired finish) and paint. Not looking to get rich but maybe provide a needed product at a good price.
What do you all think?

Cley
20200626_143458.jpg


Cley
 
I like the idea, never dealt with any 3D printed items, but it looks like clean up would be a chore on this.
Now what about the older 67-71 dash bezel? No one is doing anything for those that I know of.
 
This is all new to me but I will definitely look into expanding if this turns out. It sands really easy but I guess I'll see how much work it takes. I could print with a resin that gives a better finish but the price goes up.

Cley
 
You have to watch the materials it's printed from. Inside of car can get to 140F.

I had some 3D printed stuff in my trunk and when I took it out it was all warped.
 
The cheapest one I find now is 240.00 which is stupid. I bought mine when they first came out and were only 80.00 which is the most it should be.
If you can market them for 80-100.00 I say go for it. You'll sell them at that price.

20200308_130256.jpg
 
The few mounting screws attached a metal instrument housing. Will plastic alone support gauges for 40 years or more? Time will tell.
We've already seen aftermarket gauges conflict with OEM headlight and wiper switches in similar homemade panels so keep this in mind when locating holes for aftermarket gauges. Above layout looks nice. Good luck with yours.
 
RedFish said:
The few mounting screws attached a metal instrument housing. Will plastic alone support gauges for 40 years or more? Time will tell.
We've already seen aftermarket gauges conflict with OEM headlight and wiper switches in similar homemade panels so keep this in mind when locating holes for aftermarket gauges. Above layout looks nice. Good luck with yours.
Click to expand...
I agree, will the plastic handle the heat, and pounding it will take from vibration, and the weight of gages, lights, and switches mounted in it. BTW redfish, if I had to guess I think he wants to market it as a blank panel as sort of a DIY thing. Buyer drills it up how they want the gages mounted etc.
 
I do think it would be best to sell as a blank customizable panel. I have a modified original in my Duster now. It's been supporting the weight of the gauges for at least 5000 miles now with no signs of cracking or breaking. The printed one seems more sturdy than the OEM one. I appreciate all the thoughts on possible failure points. I will keep updating with my progress when there is some.

Cley
 
I'd find a shop would could take the 3d printed part (all cleaned up, sanded, finished smooth) and make an epoxy mold from it for injection molding.

Tooling should only be a few hundred bucks and setup would be a few hundred. Each part should be way under $20 finished and no sanding needed.

An epoxy mold can last a few thousand shots too.

I believe there's at least a few larger "prototype" shops similar to quickparts or stratasys who offer this as a service too.

Something to think about if you find decent demand for the printed version.
 
Sounds like a great idea that could be expanded to many other parts. There are a wide a wide variety of materials available that will support most reasonable environments.

At work we normally print the first few iterations out of the cheapest stuff at low resolution to save money. Save the high resolution and expensive material for the real ones.
 
Whatever price it ends up being, it will be in Canadian Pesos so that should add value for potential US customers!

Cley
 
89on35s said:
I've been working with a local company to design and print a dash bezel for my 74 Duster with a flat back that can be cut for any gauge configuration. Due to Covid 19 it took a long time to get my first prototype printed but I finally got it today. I have not fitted it yet but comparing it to the original it was patterned from it looks like the top corners may be narrow by just abit. It will be easy to fix on the next one. It's quite sturdy.
Dont mind the color, it saved a couple bucks having it printed out of a color they had surplus of and it's a prototype. They are paintable anyway. Do you think this could be marketable? I think I could come in much lower than anything currently available and I like the idea of it being completely customizable from color to gauge layout. It would require a bit of hand work (sanding to the desired finish) and paint. Not looking to get rich but maybe provide a needed product at a good price.
What do you all think?

Cley
View attachment 1715551662

Cley
Click to expand...
What has come of this? Is there a file for the print or are you still making them?
 
I never got anywhere with it. The guy I was working with disappeared and I have yet to get back to it.

Cley
 
RedFish said:
The few mounting screws attached a metal instrument housing. Will plastic alone support gauges for 40 years or more? Time will tell.
We've already seen aftermarket gauges conflict with OEM headlight and wiper switches in similar homemade panels so keep this in mind when locating holes for aftermarket gauges. Above layout looks nice. Good luck with yours.
Click to expand...
it only has to make it a week past the warranty date...industry standard dont you know
 
89on35s said:
Since you made me think about it again, I reached out to somebody else and I'm going to revive the project.

Cley
Click to expand...
Did you acquire the STL file for it? That is too big for my son’s printer but I would really like to get him a resin printer and/or the one that has an optional roller that can make infinitely long prints.
 
Craftcloud3d.com

has been good to me for printing large prints.

you have to know your materials and technology and it's limitations.

heck you could have it printed in Aluminum ( a bit pricy)
 
I didn't get the file but this time I will. The guy I spoke to said we would have some options like I could pay him to print them, or I could buy my own printer and do it myself. Either way, I will own the file when we get it done.

Cley
 
We are looking at the Creality CR
IMG_8298.jpeg


IMG_8297.jpeg


I am dreaming of printing Direct Connection spoilers from ABS.

We have the Creality Ender 3z it’s great for small stuff and when we grow our print operation it will be useful for small stuff.

My son loves 3D printing and I love that. I am also selfishly (in a good way) happy that he can one day make Mopar parts for me and the community.
 
89on35s said:
I didn't get the file but this time I will. The guy I spoke to said we would have some options like I could pay him to print them, or I could buy my own printer and do it myself. Either way, I will own the file when we get it done.

Cley
Click to expand...
Get a printer! Get a Prusa! This stuff is really fun. I’m pretty much a spectator but the whole idea of creating is great.
 
The guy I am working with claims to have the largest printer in Canada. He 3d printed a camper.

Cley
 
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