Unobtainium

Topic: Unobtainium (Read 2592 times) previous topic - next topic

Unobtainium

September 19, 2018, 10:15:26 pm

Local university has an state of the art creator engineering lab that has a machine shop chock full of the latest cnc equipment. Best thing is for about a $100 a month you get assisted evening access to create parts. They have 3d scanning, and 3d printing in paper, some plastics, and some metals. You pay for materials. I'm thinking about joining to make some obsolete parts such as tail light assemblies for the GVs. Any other unobtainium parts?

Re: Unobtainium

Reply #1 – September 19, 2018, 10:43:13 pm

Grand Villa taillight replacement that housed off the shelf LED bulbs fit in rubber grommets

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Reply #2 – September 20, 2018, 12:17:42 am

I don't need any of these, at present, but there have been several requests for:
1 Dometic fridge handles - clear lucite might be a thought if original colors aren't an option.
2 That neat little plastic clip that locks the Dometic fridge, that fits on top of the doors.
3 The rubber strip for the entrance door - that fits the entire height of the door - on the outside.

Re: Unobtainium

Reply #3 – September 20, 2018, 12:45:33 am

GoCreate | Membership

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Reply #4 – September 20, 2018, 07:51:18 am

Plastic interior vent cover for the kitchen fan.

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Reply #5 – September 20, 2018, 09:00:36 am

And the outside vent cover.

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Reply #6 – September 20, 2018, 09:05:34 am

Hm-m-m we have both inside cover and outside cover. Came with our coach.
Only problem with the inside cover is it wouldn't stay put so a previous owner put magnetic strips on the cover so it would stay up.
Nice having an old coach so parts can usually be found cheap.

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Reply #7 – September 20, 2018, 01:45:31 pm

Quote from: Jeff & Sandy – September 20, 2018, 07:51:18 am

Plastic interior vent cover for the kitchen fan.

I'd buy one.

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Reply #8 – September 20, 2018, 02:00:54 pm

How about a screen door latch?

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Reply #9 – September 20, 2018, 02:11:22 pm

We have a 3D printing company close to the house. Just contacted them on interior and exterior kitchen vent covers. Taking the interior one in tomorrow and if feasible will have one made. Will take a pic of the one on the roof for him. Maybe we can get a discount on qty.
John

Re: Unobtainium

Reply #10 – September 20, 2018, 03:17:07 pm

Quote from: John and Stacey – September 20, 2018, 02:11:22 pm

We have a 3D printing company close to the house. Just contacted them on interior and exterior kitchen vent covers. Taking the interior one in tomorrow and if feasible will have one made. Will take a pic of the one on the roof for him. Maybe we can get a discount on qty.
John

I'm curious as to whether these 3D printed parts are suitable for long term use. Are they generally UV stable and tough enough to replace OEM, or is it still more of a prototyping tool? There's tons of opportunities to make small parts if they're good replacements. I need several of the red or black plastic window locks that would be easy to scan and replicate, for instance.

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Reply #11 – September 20, 2018, 03:23:05 pm

Before I could ask, he said there is a suitable plastic for UV. He said that there should not be a problem at all. We will see. Will know more tomorrow

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Reply #12 – September 20, 2018, 04:12:11 pm

John, I'd be in for two. Let me know where to send the money. 😄

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Reply #13 – September 20, 2018, 04:36:31 pm

Jeff, I will take samples in tomorrow, get back with everyone on price. Fairly large choice of colors for inside cover...Not as many for exterior as it will be a different material for UV.
John

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Reply #14 – September 20, 2018, 05:33:27 pm

Yes, I need some of the window locks too.

Jim

2002 U320

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Reply #15 – September 20, 2018, 06:37:11 pm

John, thanks so much for even trying to get this done, much appreciated.

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Reply #16 – September 20, 2018, 10:15:52 pm

I'm interested inside power vent cover and window locks. Just scored a fridge handle Gordon Norcold 980. Fit but much less rugged than original.

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Reply #17 – September 20, 2018, 10:35:44 pm

Interior Kool-O-Matic fancover please! Thanks

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Reply #18 – September 20, 2018, 11:06:49 pm

Holy cow, i had no idea about the interior cover demand, heck that one can be reproduced with a simple wooden vacuum mold and some sheet stryrene. I gifted mine to nighthawk.

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Reply #19 – September 20, 2018, 11:26:36 pm

Once I had one and now I have two!!

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Reply #20 – September 21, 2018, 10:06:53 am

Quote from: Old phart phred – September 20, 2018, 11:06:49 pm

Holy cow, i had no idea about the interior cover demand, heck that one can be reproduced with a simple wooden vacuum mold and some sheet stryrene. I gifted mine to nighthawk.

Indeed. Could also bend one up on a brake using thin polycarbonate (lexan) Would need to seal tiny corners.

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Reply #21 – September 21, 2018, 10:15:56 am

Last time I was at Foretravel they had the window locks readily available.

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Reply #22 – September 21, 2018, 11:14:35 am

If anyone does get a fan vent inside cover be very careful about leaving it up there while traveling. The "fastening method leaves a lot to be desired. It doesn't take much for it to come out of the bent retainers.
I think that maybe that is the reason so many second or third owners don't have the cover. It fell out and broke.
Our cover has adhesive backed magnetic strips that help hold the cover in place. And even then the cover has fallen out. I now make a point of taking the cover down when traveling.

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Reply #23 – November 06, 2018, 11:30:51 am

Just picked up my 3D printed kitchen vent cover....to say the least, I am impressed. It is stronger, thicker and it works. Now to see about an outside cover. 3D printing probably not an option as it is too large for 3D printing. the inside cove took 40+ hrs to mfg....
If you have any questions PM me.
John

Re: Unobtainium

Reply #24 – November 06, 2018, 11:40:04 am

Wow-- very impressive.

Did you do this yourself, or was this done by an outside firm?

Cost?

If you made it, looks like a new "cottage industry" opportunity!

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