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How hard would it be to just 3d print us some hard top?
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3d print hard top?
- Thread starter joshgonztx
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Umm.... Very.
They are huge.
Rotomold or fiberglass are pretty much the best two options going.
And cost.
Even if the ability and tech was there, how much would a 3D printed QUALITY top cost?
Helluva lot more than the one everyone sees on the threads today.
You can get a large scale 3D printer from China that would be big enough to do the trick. I'd estimate $750 - $1000 in PLA filament cost, but I wouldn't expect that it would last very long in the sun\rain and with exposure to exhaust fumes on the roadway. You could spend more on a nylon filament and get more use out of it, I suppose.
Extremely difficult. It would be either very flimsy, very heavy, or potentially both. I've quoted parts half that size that come in around $5k and that's for FDM prints which are about as low resolution as it gets.
I hope someone brings a 3D printed hard top to market just for the entertainment value. Then we can get another thread with all the manufacturing arm-chair quarterbacks declaring: Price gouging! Aftermarket Jeep tops are only $3k! The MOD top will only cost $2500 from Ford! No way it should cost that much! And on and on
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My idea was if enough of us went in on it the initial cost will be cheaper.
that's not how 3D printing works. The cost is in the filament/material and time. No amount of chipping in together is gonna change the fact that to print at that size would take a week for a single top. The machine itself would probably cost at or near 6 figures and that's for FDM, which would:
1) look like hammered sh*t
2) not be waterproof
3) can't be reinforced, so would shatter, crack, and/or disintegrate the minute you drove it
sorry man, it's just not an option
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My company 3-D printed some titanium wheels for HRE:
If only I could convince those design guys...
If only I could convince those design guys...
Screw it, the Bronco is square. Legos are square. Let's all get the Lego company to make us a Lego top. it would be highly modular, easily shippable, and only require minimal assembly time.
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OMG, have you priced LEGO lately? That top would cost $100,000…
at least Lego enforces no ADM...OMG, have you priced LEGO lately? That top would cost $100,000…
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