Metal 3D print service?

[Jib]

Hey does anyone know of a good/reliable company that you can send a file to and have them print/create the object in some kind of strong metal?

The drive sprockets on my 1/8 Abrams are not correct in their appearance, and it’s something I would like to fix. I can 3d print something to test out a design, but I’m guessing even with PETG that’s not going to hold up to metal tracks pulling a 130lb tank.

Any suggestions?

[Dogberry]

Just a stupid idea. Have you every thought of getting the blank drive wheels turned at a machine shop out of some hard wearing aluminum. Then 3D printing the detail. Then stick the detail bits on the alli blank. I used to know a bloke who ran a one man machine shop, he would machine me bits cheap on a "Friday afternoon, cash, no receipts basis"

Even better try and find some model engineers locally and see if they would do it.

[ColemanCollector]

There's discussion of metal printing and some suppliers in this thread:
viewtopic.php?t=38251&hilit=Stuart

Mike.

[tankme]

Just a stupid idea. Have you every thought of getting the blank drive wheels turned at a machine shop out of some hard wearing aluminum. Then 3D printing the detail. Then stick the detail bits on the alli blank. I used to know a bloke who ran a one man machine shop, he would machine me bits cheap on a "Friday afternoon, cash, no receipts basis"

Even better try and find some model engineers locally and see if they would do it.

Those kinda guys are hard to find in the US. Most people don't want to waste their time making one off parts so they will tell you some enormous price to make you go away.

PCBWay is one of the larger shops that will do it and they will quote it off of an STL file.

[Art Hogus]

I'm second to PCBWay, you can have a some options from them, either 3d printed or mashined.

[Jib]

Just a stupid idea. Have you every thought of getting the blank drive wheels turned at a machine shop out of some hard wearing aluminum. Then 3D printing the detail. Then stick the detail bits on the alli blank. I used to know a bloke who ran a one man machine shop, he would machine me bits cheap on a "Friday afternoon, cash, no receipts basis"

Even better try and find some model engineers locally and see if they would do it.

Those kinda guys are hard to find in the US. Most people don't want to waste their time making one off parts so they will tell you some enormous price to make you go away.

PCBWay is one of the larger shops that will do it and they will quote it off of an STL file.

Yeah I don’t even know where I would go for that around where I live, and like you said, I’m pretty sure I would either just get laughed out of the shop for wanting such a small order, or given the not worth my time go away price.

Thanks for the suggestion of PCBWays! I will also have a look at that thread.

[RobW]

Try Materialise. They do smaller orders sometimes, but I'm not sure what they're printing in now. The problem with metal printing is it's often aero/space/defence so not cheap: they also use a lot of titanium.

Edit, and as you're in the US make sure to spell it correctly - their HQ is in Belgium.

[ColemanCollector]

Just a stupid idea. Have you every thought of getting the blank drive wheels turned at a machine shop out of some hard wearing aluminum. Then 3D printing the detail. Then stick the detail bits on the alli blank. I used to know a bloke who ran a one man machine shop, he would machine me bits cheap on a "Friday afternoon, cash, no receipts basis"

Even better try and find some model engineers locally and see if they would do it.

Those kinda guys are hard to find in the US. Most people don't want to waste their time making one off parts so they will tell you some enormous price to make you go away.

PCBWay is one of the larger shops that will do it and they will quote it off of an STL file.

Yeah I don’t even know where I would go for that around where I live, and like you said, I’m pretty sure I would either just get laughed out of the shop for wanting such a small order, or given the not worth my time go away price.

Thanks for the suggestion of PCBWays! I will also have a look at that thread.

There have been some remarkable machinists on this forum. Perhaps a "wanted" advert with a price you're willing to pay might get some interest. Or maybe somebody in the armourteck crowd has a solution.

Mike.

[Xiaoshan_Sailor]

Have you checked Craft Cloud? They offer both 3DP & CNC machining & give you a quote online: https://craftcloud3d.com

I'm in China where there are countless DMLS sources around me that I use for both my hobby as well prototyping RD needs that I can't print in-house for business. If you like, I'd be happy to get a reference quote for you from one of our sources to compare to your local commercial operators. When it comes to outsourcing metal prints needs, we normally do AL or SS which should suit your needs. Given your part, SS would be my recommendation.

[RCBobM]

I second Craftcloud3D.

I've used them for printing mostly 316 but some 17-4 ph stainless steel. Their service is very fast (1-2 weeks), shipping reasonable. Quality has been excellent. They offer you quote from several printing companies so you get a range of prices. Also used them for CNC machining. Also very good prices and quality. The parent company is based in Munich Germany. Even paying tarrifs, the price was reasonable IMO. Your printing success or machining success is based in part on the quality of your model. They give good feedback and suggestion if there are problems.

I've also printed Aluminum, but you will find it's a bit more expensive than SS for printed parts.

I've used PCB Way, Shapeways and Sculpteo as well. All are good, but being in US you will pay sales tax from Shapeways at least. But you'll pay tarrif (now) for the others, so its a wash.

FWIW Shapeways and Sculpteo offer investment cast brass, which the others do not. For small detail parts in brass I like their services. But the cost is exponentially higher the larger the piece (cost is based on size and volume). They both have a size limit for the brass.

For the money, and structural strength either 316 or 17-4 SS is best.

I've been happy with Craftcloud3D.
-Bob