[AT] repairing machined arts

Fri Dec 6 20:11:20 PST 2019

I don’t claim to be an expert or anything, and I’ve only become somewhat knowledgeable about 3D metal printing, but from what I understand, parts can be made at a lower cost than machining/casting, the part is stronger due to lower porosity, and special parts can be made that are not possible by other methods due to intricate designs and cost. You can also print dozens of parts at the same time. I think this warrants some on-line searching this weekend if I can find the time.

I would guess that since 3D metal printing is something relatively new, there may be some limitations on the size of the parts. Also,I don’t think you would use it to make something like a flat bar with a hole in it, but I would think that as the technology develops over the years, a lot of improvements and capabilities will be developed, as what happens with most new technologies.

Carl
----- Original Message -----
From: Henry Miller <hank at millerfarm.com>
To: at at lists.antique-tractor.com
Sent: Fri, 06 Dec 2019 22:03:19 -0500 (EST)
Subject: Re: [AT] repairing machined arts

Traditional casting is much cheaper, once you pay off the cost of the making the pattern. We (John Deere) had someone looking for a shift fork for the transmission in their 1991 tractor a few years ago. No spare parts left in inventory, and the pattern was destroyed years ago, so we 3d printed one from the engineering drawings. Cost was just under $500, without markup. If the pattern still existed the cost would be about $20 including markup to pour another one. 

Of course if you need a new block a pattern exists, so the 3d metal print is what you get. If you can find a few others who need one though investing in a pattern is the way to go. 

3d printing plastic is cheap and works okay for a lot of things, but it isn't enough quality to replace most parts on our tractors, even ones where plastic would be better. 

-- 
  Henry Miller
  hank at millerfarm.com

On Fri, Dec 6, 2019, at 4:19 PM, szabelski at wildblue.net wrote:
> If you remember the TV series “Myth Busters”, there is a new show 
> emceed by one on the guys (believe it’s Jamie), who does a lot of 
> similar things to what they did on MB. I caught one show where they 
> were making an Ironman suit made from titanium so they could 
> prove/disprove some of its capabilities. Some of the parts for the suit 
> of armor were made using 3D printing and powdered titanium. Didn’t take 
> that long to make the parts. I think I also saw a program somewhere 
> were something was being made using powdered iron (????).
> 
> Don’t know how well other metals could be adapted to a process like 
> that, but if the technology can be properly developed, and the cost can 
> be kept down, could this be the beginning of the end for all types of 
> machined/cast parts? If so, would a repair shop still have to carry a 
> large inventory of parts, or just make a needed part using a 3D printer 
> and the proper material on the spot as needed?
> 
> “Yes sir, you say you need a new engine block for your 1920 vintage 
> tractor? Just come back tomorrow and it’ll be ready.”
> 
> Carl
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Ken Knierim <ken.knierim at gmail.com>
> To: Antique Tractor Email Discussion Group <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
> Sent: Fri, 06 Dec 2019 15:16:47 -0500 (EST)
> Subject: Re: [AT] repairing machined arts
> 
> Some progress has been made toward taking digital photographs of the
> original part and creating a 3D model from them (photogrammetry). I have
> the software (as part of a 3D printer package) but have not tried it yet so
> I cannot vouch for the accuracy. I'm still new to 3D printing but we've
> already put several parts into production systems... it's got its place.
> The photogrammetry process might be a decent place to start if you want to
> make a casting but I'd question accuracy for finished parts. The laser scan
> technique would be better in my opinion.
> 
> Something along similar lines for making parts is 3D metal printing. The
> Rutherford rocket engines are made using this technology. It uses an
> electron beam rather than a laser for melting the metal and requires a
> vacuum chamber for manufacturing but obviously works with high pressures
> and temperatures.
> 
> Photogrammetry software:
> https://all3dp.com/1/best-photogrammetry-software/
> 
> Rutherford rocket engine:
> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rutherford_(rocket_engine)
> 
> I see these as interesting ways of creating parts. As with anything, it's
> going to take some work to perfect. I doubt it would be affordable for
> tractor parts for awhile.
> 
> Ken in AZ
> 
> 
> 
> On Fri, Dec 6, 2019 at 10:48 AM Jack <jacktractor at live.com> wrote:
> 
> > The shortcoming of this for the repair of unavailable tractor parts is
> > that you need a Cad file of a good part first.
> >
> >
> > https://www.imeche.org/news/news-article/feature-retrofit-transforms-legacy-machine-tools-to-keep-worn-parts-in-use?utm_campaign=PE%20newsletter%2C%206%20December&utm_source=email&utm_medium=PE%20Newsletter
> > _______________________________________________
> > AT mailing list
> > AT at lists.antique-tractor.com
> > http://lists.antique-tractor.com/listinfo.cgi/at-antique-tractor.com
> >
> 
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