Company for replicating small plastic parts. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: firewalker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 04, 2011, 12:27:17 pm
content: Does anyone know a company that you can send them a small plastic piece (a lever of a carburetor) and replicate it?Alexander.

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 04, 2011, 12:55:41 pm
content: It may be a better idea to check similar carburettors,as there may be a similar lever,which will save you the trouble.VK6ZGO

author: firewalker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 04, 2011, 01:09:00 pm
content: No unfortunately it is for marine engines carburetors and there is no spare part. If you break it you have to buy a new carburetor.The story is that a friend of mine owns a repair shop for marine engines. A very common issue is blocked pipes in the carburetor. There is a "special" liquid that the manufacturer suggest to submerge the carburetor in but it attacks plastic parts (there are couple of other liquids in the market but also attacks plastic). This little piece of plastic is very hard to remove. It breaks really easy. And there is no spare part for it. Other people that also owns repair shops for this type of engines face the same problem.Alexander.

author: bilko
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 04, 2011, 01:15:40 pm
content: Is it a complicated part, do you have a photo ?

author: firewalker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 04, 2011, 01:30:51 pm
content: It's the red one.Alexander.Quote from: yachtronics on June 04, 2011, 01:15:40 pm

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 04, 2011, 01:45:11 pm
content: There are 3D printing companys which you can send a digital design for a part and they will 3D print it in plasticI dunno what type of plastic they use or if its suitable but it might be worth investigating. Shouldnt be too hard for someone with CAD skills to create a model for the part.

author: Hypernova
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 04, 2011, 03:57:27 pm
content: Hm... Is it kosher for you to copy parts without license? This is not the Chinese wild east after all.The "special" liquid is obviously just some strong solvents that attack anything polymer. If the plastic part is too weak you might as well consider machining one out of metal.

author: djsb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 04, 2011, 04:07:19 pm
content: If you join this forumhttp://www.david-laserscanner.com/forum/and ask nicely someone may be able to scan the part for you.Or you could make the part yourself in something like Alibre design, Blender, Wings etc.The part can then be 3d printed by Shapeways (or any 3d printing service) by uploading your file (in STL format). I've had parts made recently in Alumide (a mixture of Aluminium powder and nylon) and it's strong and light. There are a wide range of materials to suit your application.HTH.

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 04, 2011, 04:40:36 pm
content: looks like a simple part. if somehow its required to model it in AutoCAD, ask me sometime, i hope i'm not too busy during the time.

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 04, 2011, 04:53:10 pm
content: Quote from: Psi on June 04, 2011, 01:45:11 pmI have see from close range an 3D printer that uses wax so to form the perfect prototype.But there is more steps in to it, so to finally have an metallic or plastic copy of it, in your hand.

author: firewalker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 04, 2011, 05:16:58 pm
content: Quote from: Hypernova on June 04, 2011, 03:57:27 pmYes, it is legal to make a similar part as long as I don;t sell it someone else.Alexander.

author: bilko
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 04, 2011, 05:18:43 pm
content: Is the original part good enough to make a mould from ?It might be possible to cast a part, or even machine one from brass using dremel tools

author: firewalker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 04, 2011, 05:22:19 pm
content: Quote from: yachtronics on June 04, 2011, 05:18:43 pmFor someone that is familiar with such tasks it should be something simple.I need ask my friend for the budget of this "project".

author: firewalker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 04, 2011, 05:25:43 pm
content: Quote from: Mechatrommer on June 04, 2011, 04:40:36 pmThanks you very much. If I need something I will let you know!I will search for a local CAD designer in Greece first.

author: bilko
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 04, 2011, 05:25:58 pm
content: Can you tell me the engine make, model number year and serial number. I know a company that can supply most engine parts including parts for carbs.Hang on ...Try these guyshttp://www.boats.net/parts/search/parts.html

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 04, 2011, 05:26:59 pm
content: Quote from: yachtronics on June 04, 2011, 05:18:43 pmNo no no , forget dremel tools , this is an part for a carburetor, and needs industrial accuracy.If it break apart when you are at the open sea, you are in major trouble. ( the shit hits the fan etc etc ... )

author: firewalker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 04, 2011, 05:33:11 pm
content: Quote from: djsb on June 04, 2011, 04:07:19 pmThanks for the info.Quote from: yachtronics on June 04, 2011, 05:25:58 pmThanks you!I will know the exactly infos on Monday. I think that this we looked that site and it doesn't have this part. Not sure though.Alexander.

author: firewalker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 04, 2011, 05:36:59 pm
content: Quote from: Kiriakos-GR on June 04, 2011, 05:26:59 pmYes that would be a problem.The "good" thing is that it is for 4~5 Hp engines mainly used as secondaries engines for slow fishing.

author: bilko
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 04, 2011, 05:39:22 pm
content: A lot of carbs are generic, they are used by more than one engine manufacturer so if you don't find yours listed, check another manufacturer with the same size engine.Good luck!

author: bilko
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 04, 2011, 05:42:18 pm
content: Quote from: Kiriakos-GR on June 04, 2011, 05:26:59 pmIts only a lever, the original was plastic, any competent engineer should be able to make an 'exact' duplicate. I didn't say make it out of dremel tools.I have used dremel and hand tools to make parts within .002" tolerance.

author: comox
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2011, 12:25:44 pm
content: As suggested by the OPs, you need to do the following:1. get a CAD monkey to model the part in a 3D parametric engineering package line SolidWorks or Autodesk Inventor.2. e-Mail the CAD file to any number of 3d printing service bureaus who would then print the part for you, at a cost of course.As the part will be used in a working device, you will need to print it using FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) for strength. FDM printers from Stratasys are your best bet. In fact, I would usehttp://www.redeyeondemand.com