Series-1 Inspection Lid Clips - Another Attempt at Reprinting

[ksbeta]

My brother is a Mechanical Engineering student down at UVA, so when he bragged that he had access to CAD and a Plastic Printer, I gave him the (small) challenge of reproducing some clips for my inspection panels. Unfortunatly I didn't have access to an original, just my broken pieces. He's just got the first batch back, and I'm excited to see how it fits/works. From the photos I don't think it'll be strong enough, but he claims he's pinched it pretty darn hard without fail. Time will tell. Will report back if they actually work (though I know they don't look original).

[d240zx2]

I don't think pinching is the cause of breakage, at least it wasn't with mine on 721. The clips are just a leeetle bit too tall and do not line up exactly with the bar they snap onto, thereby breaking off one side or the other.

[Gary in NJ]

Are the parts SLA or SLS. SLA parts are usually fragile.

[ksbeta]

Too tall? Misaligned? Oh boy, those sound like challenges for an engineer! SLA vs. SLS... not a clue: But I'll find out!

[motorman7]

Too tall? Misaligned? Oh boy, those sound like challenges for an engineer! SLA vs. SLS... not a clue: But I'll find out!

The rough texture is definitely SLS, white Nylon 12. I order these (SLS parts) all the the time. Rarely use SLA any more 'cause they are too frail. SLA would never work for inspection lid clip

[ksbeta]

He says it was FDM, or Fused Deposition Modelling. As for the material, perhaps it's SLS within an FDM process? Sounds like alphabet soup.

[ksbeta]

Does anyone have a complete reproduction part (or original? eh? eh? yeah right!) we could borrow to do some measuring?

[cbuczesk]

I might have one. I know at least part of one is there. I'll try to get out to my garage and have a look. I have car #390.

Chuck

[ksbeta]

Thanks much, Chuck.

[cbuczesk]

I have a partial and a full clip! I stopped out today after the Carlisle Chrysler show to drop off some Mopar parts. Here are some pictures for now.

Chuck

[ksbeta]

Thanks Chuck. That’s a lot better than the two partials my car came equipped with. I can’t ask you to take the complete one out to measure though – if it snapped in the process we’ll have done more harm than good. I know others have made reproductions of these clips before. I’ll have to either track some down myself or hope someone has a spare! Famous last words: How hard can it be?

[motorman7]

I will check my clips, as I think they are in good shape. I can actually model them here and send you or your brother a .stp file. That would be all he needs to produce the part in his machine. FDM is very similar to SLS, just different material and perhaps a bit different process. Will try and get that done sometime this week if I can remember.

Best regards,

Rich