3D printed fix for floppy vents (1 Viewer)

[mct75]

Alright everyone! It will take me a bit to print all these, but as I finish them up I'll PM y'all in the order you've posted in.

Also, the source files are in the OP, anyone here is free to modify them or print their own. Sharing is caring!

This is an awesome field fix. Great work!

Thank you! A 3D printer is a great tool for quick mockups or small parts like this.

 

[cruiserdan]

Creativity like this will really come of age as parts for these vehicles age-out of the supply chain.

 

[cheddar bob]

Awesome work! Put me on the list.

 

[TrickyT]

... From what I've read, changing over the printer settings and re-calibrating to use ABS can take anywhere from 30 seconds to many hours of trial and error, but once I have it dialed in I'll remake these fix plates...

Maybe it's printer-specific, but unless you are trying make parts with very tight tolerances the changeover should be straight forward. ABS shrinks more than PLA when it cools. You can account for this by scaling the X & Y dimensions up by 0.5%. For most parts there's no need to scale Z as the dimensional shrinkage in Z is insignificant.

 

[PabloVTA]

i have a temp gauge in my car sitting in the open bin on the dash, it was 107 degrees here the other day, it's a black car, and it got to 136 degrees inside of there after lunch. I was in the shade too, but only for about an hour of the time.

but yeah, ABS is mo better. you just added another .5 HP!

 

[mct75]

Maybe it's printer-specific, but unless you are trying make parts with very tight tolerances the changeover should be straight forward. ABS shrinks more than PLA when it cools. You can account for this by scaling the X & Y dimensions up by 0.5%. For most parts there's no need to scale Z as the dimensional shrinkage in Z is insignificant.

Hopefully so! My printer has a "buildtak" print surface, and I've heard some have issues with ABS adhesion to it. I'm still quite a noob to all this stuff.

i have a temp gauge in my car sitting in the open bin on the dash, it was 107 degrees here the other day, it's a black car, and it got to 136 degrees inside of there after lunch. I was in the shade too, but only for about an hour of the time.

but yeah, ABS is mo better. you just added another .5 HP!

Better safe than sorry. I've had spools of PLA stay in my car all day without any issues, but with ABS it's a non-issue for sure.

 

[blkprj80]

I can attest to the fact that PLA parts will deform all to heck if left on the console, with the windows rolled up, on a hot day in KS.

I do have a couple items I've printed in black ABS that are showing no signs of failure or droop even after being over 145F, where my Ultragauge starts to really complain! I'm sure it will age, but nowhere near as fast as the PLA.

Thanks for posting the files! That's what makes this whole 3D printing thing rock! I'll print them for free for locals and friends. After I print a set for my center vent.

 

[mct75]

Wow, ABS smells terrible at 400 degrees!

Fun pics of a 3D printer in IR....

 

[LINUS]

I did use money to fix two of mine.Dimes wedged in the side.

Haha, my fix was the "deluxe" version - I doublestacked felt dots on each side.

A tab of wax paper folded back was what I used to get them positioned, then pull the wax paper & your vents have that "new car feel".

 

[blkprj80]

I printed a couple of these in black ABS last night. You are right, it does smell like a petroleum waste plant, but it's good plastic.

I was wondering if I need to mirror one of the "side vent" fixers. I haven't looked at the vents themselves, so these may be right.

Thanks again!

 

[gsi18867]

Thanks everyone! 3D printers are indeed very handy. Here's the one I use: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JI1VL3Q

If anyone wants a set of these, I'll sell them for $5 shipped in the US.

Im in for 2 sets! Thank You

 

[Dr Gil]

Put me on the list. I need a couple of those.

 

[newtomelx]

Put me down for two sets also!

 

[bhicks]

Good job. I have been asked to make these for a few years but just not got around to it. Too many other products to deal with. Make sure you make these out of ABS. Not only does PLA start to melt around 180 it will start to shrink around 145-150 by up to 5% which will make your design become a very loose fit. ABS can handle temps WAY higher then that. If ABS if starting to warp then your car is on fire and you have WAY bigger concerns than loose AC vents. If you want any help with dialing in your ABS settings or machine just shoot me a PM. ABS can be tricky at first but is great once you figure it out. I can see by looking at your prints you have a few settings a bit off. A few tweaks and you can have some really smooth parts right off the machine.

 

[Nors]

Alright everyone! It will take me a bit to print all these, but as I finish them up I'll PM y'all in the order you've posted in.

Also, the source files are in the OP, anyone here is free to modify them or print their own. Sharing is caring!



Thank you! A 3D printer is a great tool for quick mockups or small parts like this.

Id like a set too
Nors

 

[mct75]

I printed a couple of these in black ABS last night. You are right, it does smell like a petroleum waste plant, but it's good plastic.

I was wondering if I need to mirror one of the "side vent" fixers. I haven't looked at the vents themselves, so these may be right.

Thanks again!

Looks good! Anyone is welcome to print and give away or even sell these

I'm not sure about the passenger-side vent. Mine was perfectly firm when I got it so I haven't even messed with it. I assume they are chiral. Mirroring it is of course easy to do in any slicer.

Also, I made these after taking apart my 1992 FJ80's vents. I have no idea what the newer FZJ's have. There's a chance they might look completely different inside. Does anyone have pics?

 

[mct75]

Good job. I have been asked to make these for a few years but just not got around to it. Too many other products to deal with. Make sure you make these out of ABS. Not only does PLA start to melt around 180 it will start to shrink around 145-150 by up to 5% which will make your design become a very loose fit. ABS can handle temps WAY higher then that. If ABS if starting to warp then your car is on fire and you have WAY bigger concerns than loose AC vents. If you want any help with dialing in your ABS settings or machine just shoot me a PM. ABS can be tricky at first but is great once you figure it out. I can see by looking at your prints you have a few settings a bit off. A few tweaks and you can have some really smooth parts right off the machine.

Thanks! Yes, I'm no expert at 3D printing (I've only had my printer a month). Here's my first ABS print. The lifted in corner is more my fault as I tried to scrape it too soon. I'm loosely guessing that my bed height is too high as well. Extruder was 220 I think and bed was 110.

 

[bhicks]

Thanks! Yes, I'm no expert at 3D printing (I've only had my printer a month). Here's my first ABS print. The lifted in corner is more my fault as I tried to scrape it too soon. I'm loosely guessing that my bed height is too high as well. Extruder was 220 I think and bed was 110.

ABS head temp should be 235 and bed at 110. Get some PEI sheet and glue it to your bed. ABS sticks really well to that. Amazon has the sheets of PEI in all sizes and the 3M sheets of adhesive you need. QIDI tech on ebay sell sheets with the glue already installed for like $3 and they are fanastic for PLA and ABS. You also have your extrusion rate too high. Meaning you are over extruding. Need to decrease print extrusion speed to smooth it out.

 

[podiev]

PM sent for two sets also.

 

[wchain]

I want, please PM for paypal and I'll send it right away!