Could someone point me in the right direction to get started on projects like this? Specifically I have an old Emerson CRT that the volume/power knob is missing on and it’s impossible to find an OEM replacement. I’ve been dreaming about getting into 3D printing to print my own, but I don’t know where to even begin considering I would need the exact dimensions of the D shaft and then to model something. Appreciate any help, thank you in advance <3
The first time I took on modelling a replacement part, I took as many measurements with a caliper as I could, fired up Fusion 360 and just went for it with no prior experience. It is actually really intuitive and all you need to do is visualize how simple shapes like circles and squares can be used to construct the object. Basically, don’t be scared of starting out and try to break down the object into simple and approachable parts.
My first object was a kind of transmission cog, so a very cylindrical object, much like yours. All you really should need is the diameters of different “circles” comprising the model and the cylinder heights.
To me it became easy once I realized that Fusion 360 is not Blender. You’re not sculpting a model. You’re essentially just writing mathematical equations (“constraints” in CAD lingo) that produce the desired 3D object. For example, let’s have a flat circle as a base with diameter x, then we extend it into the third dimension with length y, and so on. Once I realized how it works, it became much clearer to me what to do, because I literally just need to express my goal to the computer et voilà. I’m having a difficult time translating what I mean into words, but perhaps you can remember doing some kinds of geometric constructions in elementary school like a perpendicular line through the middle of another line. That’s exactly what CAD feels like to me.
That’s very clear, thanks. I’ve done some before but only in Google Sketchup which in my opinion is incredible, and a shame it’s not available on more platforms for free. Anyway thanks it sounds pretty straightforward.
I know there’s also something free online that’s a web-based creator; I forget at the moment which it is but it looked pretty easy.
Get yourself some cheap calipers, radius measure, etc from Amazon. You don’t need to spend a million dollars for some basic instruments. This will help you measure things you find in the real world.
For CAD, if you want a really easy on-ramp, try using “Tinkercad”. They have a free option for users and there are lots of people who have made really usable replacement parts for things. If you end up really liking it, there are more powerful and complex CAD programs out there, but this will get you a friendly start without spending a lot of money.
If you have problems on the printer end, you can export your Tinkercad projects and send them to “Shapeways” (or other vendors) who will take your CAD file and return a 3D print in the mail. You can also buy your own 3D printer if you wish.
That should get you started, and if you pull all 3 of these threads, you will be able to start reproducing things around your house. Have fun!
There’s https://lemmy.world/c/3dprinting where you could get more answers. The yt channel TeachingTech has some good series on getting into various parts of it (basics of printing, part design, machine maintenance, etc.). There are many other resources.
Once you have a printer, there are repositories online with models for just about anything. I’ve used Printables, and Thingiverse is another option. Someone may have already solved your problem by posting a usable model, just need to print your own part. Otherwise you can design one. Been using Solid Edge from Siemens, they have a free version for makers. Also used FreeCAD in the past, which worked, but wasn’t happy with it. It now has a 1.0 release though, so probably worth trying out. They’re going to require spending some hours learning to do designs properly, but once you figure it out you can sketch up all kinds of great things. I love being able to send my parts through the slicer software, then over to the printer, and out comes what I want. Learning CAD, or modeling software like Blender, gives you a lot more options with your printer.
Honestly, if you only have that one specific application in mind, might be more cost/time-effective for you to pay someone else to 3D print/ship the part for you, instead of getting into all that yourself just for the one use case.
Could someone point me in the right direction to get started on projects like this? Specifically I have an old Emerson CRT that the volume/power knob is missing on and it’s impossible to find an OEM replacement. I’ve been dreaming about getting into 3D printing to print my own, but I don’t know where to even begin considering I would need the exact dimensions of the D shaft and then to model something. Appreciate any help, thank you in advance <3
The first time I took on modelling a replacement part, I took as many measurements with a caliper as I could, fired up Fusion 360 and just went for it with no prior experience. It is actually really intuitive and all you need to do is visualize how simple shapes like circles and squares can be used to construct the object. Basically, don’t be scared of starting out and try to break down the object into simple and approachable parts.
My first object was a kind of transmission cog, so a very cylindrical object, much like yours. All you really should need is the diameters of different “circles” comprising the model and the cylinder heights.
This sounds like a great path for me, I love driving in head first. I appreciate you!
There are lots of things I would like to fabricate I just suck at 3D software. Fusion 360 easy?
To me it became easy once I realized that Fusion 360 is not Blender. You’re not sculpting a model. You’re essentially just writing mathematical equations (“constraints” in CAD lingo) that produce the desired 3D object. For example, let’s have a flat circle as a base with diameter x, then we extend it into the third dimension with length y, and so on. Once I realized how it works, it became much clearer to me what to do, because I literally just need to express my goal to the computer et voilà. I’m having a difficult time translating what I mean into words, but perhaps you can remember doing some kinds of geometric constructions in elementary school like a perpendicular line through the middle of another line. That’s exactly what CAD feels like to me.
That’s very clear, thanks. I’ve done some before but only in Google Sketchup which in my opinion is incredible, and a shame it’s not available on more platforms for free. Anyway thanks it sounds pretty straightforward.
I know there’s also something free online that’s a web-based creator; I forget at the moment which it is but it looked pretty easy.
Thanks, I appreciate your response.
Get yourself some cheap calipers, radius measure, etc from Amazon. You don’t need to spend a million dollars for some basic instruments. This will help you measure things you find in the real world.
For CAD, if you want a really easy on-ramp, try using “Tinkercad”. They have a free option for users and there are lots of people who have made really usable replacement parts for things. If you end up really liking it, there are more powerful and complex CAD programs out there, but this will get you a friendly start without spending a lot of money.
If you have problems on the printer end, you can export your Tinkercad projects and send them to “Shapeways” (or other vendors) who will take your CAD file and return a 3D print in the mail. You can also buy your own 3D printer if you wish.
That should get you started, and if you pull all 3 of these threads, you will be able to start reproducing things around your house. Have fun!
There’s https://lemmy.world/c/3dprinting where you could get more answers. The yt channel TeachingTech has some good series on getting into various parts of it (basics of printing, part design, machine maintenance, etc.). There are many other resources.
I appreciate the links! I’ll do some learning 😁
Once you have a printer, there are repositories online with models for just about anything. I’ve used Printables, and Thingiverse is another option. Someone may have already solved your problem by posting a usable model, just need to print your own part. Otherwise you can design one. Been using Solid Edge from Siemens, they have a free version for makers. Also used FreeCAD in the past, which worked, but wasn’t happy with it. It now has a 1.0 release though, so probably worth trying out. They’re going to require spending some hours learning to do designs properly, but once you figure it out you can sketch up all kinds of great things. I love being able to send my parts through the slicer software, then over to the printer, and out comes what I want. Learning CAD, or modeling software like Blender, gives you a lot more options with your printer.
Appreciate the info, I’m stoked to start learning!
Honestly, if you only have that one specific application in mind, might be more cost/time-effective for you to pay someone else to 3D print/ship the part for you, instead of getting into all that yourself just for the one use case.
I’ve had that thought too, but I’m a tinkerer and I dream of printing parts for my random protects. I appreciate the suggestion though!