Ballpark cost of 3D Power steering pump pulley?

[Gadabout]

Part # 1826056. Double groove 5 3/4" unit and they were manufactured from '58 to '68. Seems like they don't exist and trying to find the right bore size and right facing characteristics is hitting dead end after dead end.

So, how much would a 3D machined one cost? More or less.

I'd post a pic, but got some stupid thing wrong with the cell phone connecting to desktop.

 

[harrisonm]

I thought 3D printers only printed in plastic.

 

[RustyRatRod]

No way would I trust a plastic one. What's the outside diameter of what you need? There's one on ebay that's a double groove.

 

[TurboGLH]

You can print from metals, aluminum is a common material. You'd need a correct 3d model, and the printed part will still need machining for the bore, and probably for the grooves.

Cost is tough to estimate, but I'd probably expect to spend $500+

You'd be much better off with a traditionally machined part, but that also requires a drawing or model.

 

[Tsully]

As @TurboGLH stated… you can print 3D with metals and they hold up very well.

However, unless you plan on mass producing them… the cost to do a one off is “Costly” because of the reverse engineering and the CAD work involved.

If you can get an original that you’re looking for.. then I would get the proper Specs and try these places before settling with a 3D company.


Precision Machining Services | JK Pulley & Manufacturing


https://www.rushgears.com/
SendCutSend: Custom Sheet Metal Fabrication

Hope this helps!

 

[n00blike]

For fitment testing/prototyping you can use cheaper plastic materials. But note that those materials will have different shrinkage values so when going to metal you may need to tweak some dimensions.

 

[Tsully]

For fitment testing/prototyping you can use cheaper plastic materials. But note that those materials will have different shrinkage values so when going to metal you may need to tweak some dimensions.

This is what I do… I print in PLA and then in the filament that I want.

 

[harrisonm]

I bet what you want is out there. Have you tried a "Wanted" ad here?

 

[Phreakish]

The last metal part (stainless) I had printed cost around $230 and was about 2oz. Cost will scale roughly in line with weight.
Sintered aluminum is about half the strength of die cast. I wouldn't trust it for a pulley.
Having a shop make an aluminum one would likely be the most affordable route, but you will need a drawing for the shop to make it to.
Maybe call up some of the billet accessory makers and see if they offer custom one off stuff? Custom billet wheels are a thing, someone has to make pullies.

 

[RustyRatRod]

This one is listed to be a smaller diameter than what you said in your other thread, but I believe they maybe measuring from the inside of the V grooves. At any rate, this is probably it. Even if it is smaller, it will work fine. All it will do is speed the pump up a little and might require a shorter belt or two. If I were you, I'd strike while the iron was hot. I don't care how strong plastics are. IMO there's no way a plastic pulley will stand being pressed on without splitting.
PULLEY

 

[MadScientistMat]

I thought 3D printers only printed in plastic.

Printer? This is made for CNC lathes. For a cost estimate, I would start with the cost of a similar sized off the shelf billet pulley and triple it.

 

[pauly]

There are printers that print metals but they are very expensive. In addition, they don’t leave a nice smooth machined surface when completed so you’d have to finish it with a CNC or some other method. Not sure on the metals but do know 3D printed plastic parts are about half as strong as an actual injection molded plastic part.