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Reproducing emblems w/ 3D printing

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by dkavanagh, Aug 3, 2016.

  1. dkavanagh

    dkavanagh Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    I've designed parts and printed them w/ my son's robotics team. I wonder what kind of result that would come from scanning a tank emblem, cleaning it up in CAD and printing? Can easily use black filament. It should respond well to surface cleaning (smoothing). Then, a gold paint would provide the final finish, though I suspect the challenge would be masking off the sides, but I could print a plastic mask that would fit over the emblem to help with this.
    So, that's a fun thought exercise, but has there been any attempt at reproduction emblems? I have original emblem on my bike that's splitting on the leading edge and has some gold rubbed off. I think both are fixable, but the missing emblem is about 100 bucks and I'm having a problem spending that kind of money on a small cosmetic item. I'm up to $1200 into the bike and it runs great! The looks are the next thing and something I think I'll tackle in the next year.
     
  2. dkavanagh

    dkavanagh Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    Oh, my bad. Just double checked w/ XJ4ever and its about $50 for each and $90 for both.. now I'm thinking about that.. :)
     
  3. Ryangh23

    Ryangh23 Member

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    This is a good idea. I have an XJ that is missing side emblems, and I also have a 3D printer...
     
  4. dkavanagh

    dkavanagh Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    I lack a scanner, but I'm half decent with SolidWorks. I wonder if an image would be a good starting point for the outline? I suspect we'd want a model that's flat and then heat to curve it to the tank?
     
  5. dkavanagh

    dkavanagh Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    My biggest concern with this would be the amount of effort put into finishing the part. Most printers don't yield a smooth part.
     
  6. Ryangh23

    Ryangh23 Member

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    I also lack a scanner. If looking for an exact replication, I think flat with heat to fit to tank would be best. I might just try a thin prototype without much fill that is plenty flexible. The rest of my bike isn't that great looking cosmetically, so I probably wouldn't fret too much about the finish, at least until I repaint it eventually.

    My mom called my bike a Kawasaki the other day, and when I gave her a disgusted look she said, "What?! It doesn't say what it is, how am I supposed to know!"
     
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  7. Ryangh23

    Ryangh23 Member

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    I think with some paint that it would be pretty smooth, however.
     
  8. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    Your biggest problem will be the cost of geting the finish correct. The emblems aren't painted, they are plated with a vapor-deposit method. The chrome emblems have real chrome on them. If your concern is only to ID the machine then go for it. You'd then have the option of using an accent color instead of having chrome emblems.
     

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