Making usable 3D parts for our cars

[Glen]

I thought there might be some interest in what can be made at home with CAD and a 3D printer. I bought my first 3D printer less that a month ago, a Bambu Lab P1S. It's a mid-range enclosed printer so it can print many different filaments, including ABS, ASA, PA (nylon), PC, PETg and with an upgraded hardened nozzle, carbon fiber infused filaments too. Anyway, I have been learning to use AutoDesk Fusion so I can create my own parts. It's definitely been a learning adventure

While I had the vanity mirror out of the wagon, I thought it would good experience to see if I could model the mirror cover. I have about 3.5 hours into it and I think I have a workable prototype.


It's currently printing in PLA which is too brittle for actual use but should give a good representation. I'll post results when it's done.

I would love to see what others have modelled and printed for their cars. Please post

 

[Glen]

Results…


While not 100% perfect, it's not bad. With a different build plate, the top surface could be improved. But, it fits and should work as intended.

 

[rayhennig]

Just a quickie. I've just received an antanna grommet from OctoClassic. It seems to fit, unlike its Chinese cousins, of which I have 3.

RayH

 

[puchak]

3D printing is certainly the future for all the little brittle plastics in our classic cars. Well done!

OctoClassic has pretty much built a business around this.

 

[gsxr]

Just a quickie. I've just received an antanna grommet from OctoClassic. It seems to fit, unlike its Chinese cousins, of which I have 3.

RayH

Ray, what chassis / part number was the antenna grommet? The 124 grommets were NLA for a few years, but are now available from the dealer again (at higher cost than previously).

 

[puchak]

Isn't there two different grommets?

 

[gsxr]

Isn't there two different grommets?

Yes, upper and lower. They are different for early 124 (86-87) and later 124, and the antennas with threaded top used from 1991 to early 1994 use yet another type of grommet.

 

[WDB748372]

I've been struggling to find an airduct that's part of the engine undercover. Would a plastic piece like that be 3D printable? Are there materials that would withstand the air force at highway speeds? I'm not familiar with 3D printing but have needed a few of these and certainly wouldn't mind having extras. Are there companies that would be able to print it?

 

[Glen]

I've been struggling to find an airduct that's part of the engine undercover. Would a plastic piece like that be 3D printable? Are there materials that would withstand the air force at highway speeds? I'm not familiar with 3D printing but have needed a few of these and certainly wouldn't mind having extras. Are there companies that would be able to print it?

It could certainly be done and printed in either ASA or maybe PETG, which should hold up to the elements and heat. But, it would either need to be printed in pieces and glued or fastened together or using a large commercial 3D printer. Most consumer printers are limited to about 10 x 10 x 10 inches.

 

[rayhennig]

Ray, what chassis / part number was the antenna grommet? The 124 grommets were NLA for a few years, but are now available from the dealer again (at higher cost than previously).

My chassis is 124.051 and the antenna seal is in 2 parts:

A1248270898 (top/external bit) A1248270798 (bottom/internal bit).

R

 

[gsxr]

My chassis is 124.051 and the antenna seal is in 2 parts:

A1248270898 (top/external bit) A1248270798 (bottom/internal bit).

Ray, those grommets are for the ball-top antennas from 1988-1996 (excluding the threaded-top antennas between 91-94).

These were NLA for a number of years but are back in production as of late 2022, available from your favorite dealership. Details here.

Strange that Octo would bother selling reproductions of something available new as OE/Genuine (link, £25/pair). Unless they are reselling OE at a higher price.

 

[rayhennig]

back in production as of late 2022

Strange. I see no availability aside from the links you provided.

R

 

[gsxr]

Strange. I see no availability aside from the links you provided.

R

Contact your dealer. Here's the MB Classic links showing "available" for both:

Mercedes-Benz Classic Parts Search.

Browse through the Mercedes-Benz Classic Parts Search to see the availability of parts, promotional and newly manufactured parts and order them online (only in Germany).

partssearch.mercedes-benz-classic.com

Mercedes-Benz Classic Parts Search.

Browse through the Mercedes-Benz Classic Parts Search to see the availability of parts, promotional and newly manufactured parts and order them online (only in Germany).

partssearch.mercedes-benz-classic.com

 

[gsxr]

Glen, dunno if any of these BBS wheel cap tools actually sell for this silly asking price, but if so... looks like a good potential market for a 3D repop:

JDM Used item rare BBS genuine RC RS2 wheel cap center cap wrench cap No Tires | eBay

No cancellation. We are treating new item, but there is possibility that item has tears, dents, dirts. Find out for yourself if the item you are ordering fits your car. [ Item Condition ]. [ Country of Manufacture ].

www.ebay.com

 

[rayhennig]

Contact your dealer.

My son's on good terms with the parts chap at MB in Angouleme, where he works. I'll ask him.

I just fitted the Octo part. It fits better but is very flexible. I rather think it might drop off. First picture is Chinese Junk (note the gap), second is Octo.





Imperfection visible but it seems to seal better.

We'll see.

R

 

[GRAEME JOHNSON]

Glen
Going by the mirrors on my R129 if the replacement covers are brittle, fall to bits in your hand and not fit
for the job I would say you have nailed it.
They sound just like the original genuine parts !
They do look good if a stronger material could be found, on mine it was just the hinged flaps that broke off
but I had to buy the whole (expensive ) assembly
I could have fixed them with these covers.
Graeme Johnson

 

[Glen]

I found this file online…downloaded and printed. It doesn’t match the original exactly but with the right filament it would certainly work. Supposedly you can insert your stock metal contacts into it so the vanity light should work too. Pretty cool!

 

[Glen]

Interior mirror trim triangle repair. The original part appears to be made of ABS which is easy to chemically weld with off the shelf ABS cement or homemade ABS slurry (ABS pieces dissolved in acetone). I drew and printed replacement tabs to fix the driver side panel in my S124. Result is really strong! If you have the original tabs you can reattach the same way. This is significantly stronger than using super glue or traditional plastic welding via heat. With a slurry mixture you can also repair larger areas.




I'm attaching the .stl files ( as .txt files, remove .txt extension after downloading and send to your printer) if you want to print your own. Use ABS filament with 100% infill. You need to print these on their sides with support so that the layers are along the length otherwise the they will break too easily.

 

[puchak]

Thanks for sharing, those tabs are nightmare to deal with.

 

[doolar]

All the interior trim that’s NLA is interesting, I’m thinking about the lower seat trim that fail. And those parts are not directly in sight, so I would be perfectly happy with a replica. Etc etc

 

[R129 UK]

I stumbled upon this website just now, not had a good look around but ~400 parts (both to buy and free) for the 124 chassis based on my search of "W124":

https://www.yeggi.com/q/w124/

 

[R129 UK]

Another site:

Search models | Printables.com

Community site for 3D printer users. Discover thousands of great printable 3D models, download them for free and read interesting articles about 3D printing.

www.printables.com

 

[sheward]

Interior mirror trim triangle repair. The original part appears to be made of ABS which is easy to chemically weld with off the shelf ABS cement or homemade ABS slurry (ABS pieces dissolved in acetone). I drew and printed replacement tabs to fix the driver side panel in my S124. Result is really strong! If you have the original tabs you can reattach the same way. This is significantly stronger than using super glue or traditional plastic welding via heat. With a slurry mixture you can also repair larger areas.

View attachment 209173View attachment 209174View attachment 209175


I'm attaching the .stl files ( as .txt files, remove .txt extension after downloading and send to your printer) if you want to print your own. Use ABS filament with 100% infill. You need to print these on their sides with support so that the layers are along the length otherwise the they will break too easily.

Great job. Thanks, Glen!

 

[JC220]

Great thread!

I am new to 3D printing myself. I have started to self learn how to 3D model objects and I am getting better at it as I go.

Id like to look at a cup holder solution for w124 centre glove boxes like the link

Mercedes W124 C124 A124 S124 Custom Cup Holder Insert Cupholder for Center Console Storage Box

Mercedes W124 C124 A124 S124 Custom Cup Holder Insert Cupholder for Center Console Storage Box Our cup holder is available for all 124 models that were

octoclassic.com

Any other ideas to feed into that? Coin slots or an easy handle type thing to lift it out when not in use if you want to use what space is left in there.

 

[Glen]

Great thread!

I am new to 3D printing myself. I have started to self learn how to 3D model objects and I am getting better at it as I go.

Id like to look at a cup holder solution for w124 centre glove boxes like the link

Mercedes W124 C124 A124 S124 Custom Cup Holder Insert Cupholder for Center Console Storage Box

Mercedes W124 C124 A124 S124 Custom Cup Holder Insert Cupholder for Center Console Storage Box Our cup holder is available for all 124 models that were

octoclassic.com

Any other ideas to feed into that? Coin slots or an easy handle type thing to lift it out when not in use if you want to use what space is left in there.

That doesn’t look too difficult. In Fusion I would start by drawing squares/rectangles at the approximate distances to represent the floor and lid heights and circles to represent the cup size. Then either extrude/join/cut or loft the walls.

 

[Glen]

Another idea would be to replace the cig lighter with a custom switch panel or coin holder as you mentioned

 

[R129 UK]

That doesn’t look too difficult. In Fusion I would start by drawing squares/rectangles at the approximate distances to represent the floor and lid heights and circles to represent the cup size. Then either extrude/join/cut or loft the walls.

I would say that is quite an ambitious project for a novice - no offence @JC220 I have no idea of your CAD capabilities.

My main advice would be to make sure you fully constrain all your sketches to avoid errors when doing any resizing etc.

I'm looking to design a holder for a wireless chargepad which sits inside (or probably just above) a centre cupholder which I have on both my Mercs but I never seem to have the time to spare these days.

I have seen a Chinese version on Amazon or eBay but I am genuinely concerned about things from that part of the world involving electricity catching fire.

 

[khomer2]

It's not too difficult a learning curve. However, once you get a taste of it, it's quite satisfying (speaking from a older farts perspective & coming from my past PS homebrewed skills.)



Reverse cam display that replaces the ashtray portion of my w124s. I just wanted to add a new feature for those backup moments.
I have another much simplier version I will apply as an addon to the overhead sunvisor above the rear view mirror (after cleaning up a boxes of electronics/gadgets in storage.)
If you have access to a reasonably decent scanner, this will aid in your designing too.

I dont post much here, but a taste of what can open up for you, when you take the bull by the horns.

 

[JC220]

I would say that is quite an ambitious project for a novice - no offence @JC220 I have no idea of your CAD capabilities.

2D CAD I have 25 years experience using it every day. I am highly experienced in 2D CAD.

3D is new to me so it's getting used to sketchup which is a more universal programme I decided to learn with pro license. I draw in 2D first in CAD then convert in sketchup and pull the faces to generate a 3D model. I'm getting very good at it - but want to keep learning and the only way to do that is to use it.

Ill be able to sort the cup holder will take me a few hours but im 100% confident ill be able to design one its just any ideas that could feed into it. I think a coin holder slot would be nice to sneak in.

 

[R129 UK]

Then you are far from a novice!!

I went straight into 3D using Siemens NX (Unigraphics) and went in a course for surface modelling as we were doing pressed shapes - a bit like prosthetic limbs.

Not done any for years and I do miss it. I have Solidedge on my work laptop now but I’ve never even opened it. I dread to think what the license costs per year.

Back to your project, a slot for car park tickets could be useful maybe?