(800) 853-2651
SHOP NOW

3D Printing Tractor Parts

M

Mnethercutt

Member
I have acquired a 3D printer capable of printing objects w/ a good enough quality that I'm wanting to look into printing tractor parts out of plastic. Provided it prints Ok it'd cost way cheaper than buying the actual part (the plastic required would be less than 10 cents per print even for big parts). However in order to do that I need a 3D model of the part. Anybody know if there's a place that has any models available, or am I going to have to measure and model all the parts by hand?
 
My brother had a 3-dimensional scan made of his tractor and the guy printed a 1:12 model of his tractor. The finish and level of detail being equal to or better than a precision model of Ertl. Even the color was a close match.
Note: A scale model of his tractor was not commercially available.
So, yes, it can be done. Do not how the mechanical/physical/chemical strength and durability compares for actual tractor and implement parts.
 
I thought about doing this a couple years ago, but I didn't feel the plastic would hold up over time. Plus I'm not restoring a tractor and putting plastic parts on it, if I wanted to do that I would restore
a prius.
 
It is very likely that you are going to have to measure and create 3D models of the parts you need yourself.

There is a website called "thingiverse" with printable models that you can check but a specific part for a specific tractor probably hasn't been done yet.
 
If you want to create the 3D models to print from you need to find and learn CAD (computer aided design) and CAM (computer aided manufacturing) software to create the model and gcode (actual step by step instructions to move the printer head) to run the printer. I'm in the middle of learning to do just that, and it is a challenge for me. You're probably a lot smarter than me, though.

You might find someone who is interested in making the 3D model for you.

Literally millions of models on thingiverse, the majority of them are fantasy cartoon characters. But there are thousands of machine parts.
 
Your post is a bit vague with regards to what kinds of parts are you considering making up? Also, just a part or two for
yourself or are you considering running off a bunch and selling them?
 
On a segment of Jay Leno's garage they showed their use of a 3D printer. Antique car parts that were no longer available were modeled in plastic. But, rather than using the plastic part, it was used as a prototype and a mold was made from it. That mold was then used to cast metal parts. The 3d CAD Model was also used for finish machining of the casting.

Really interesting and expensive for one part, but the unit cost comes down rapidly if several are needed. Most of the cost is in the creation of the model. Of course the complexity of the casting is part of that too.
 
So I've already got the software to take the 3d model and get the code to print it. I use thingiverse a lot and that isn't a problem. My question was more about if there were already parts out there. Sounds like there aren't.

Lucky for me I go to an engineering college and there's no shortage of people who can teach me SolidWorks
 
If somebody sent you a part,like a hood emblem for example,could you copy it then save the pattern for next time? You could build up a library of patterns that way couldn't you?
 
(quoted from post at 07:07:23 02/21/18) check out Jay Leno:s garage on u-tube -- He has some vidios of his -- Roy
Click to expand...

It has been awhile since I watched the Jay Leno video, but didn't they make use of a 3D scanner? Placed the part into that scanner, and then used the results to write the code for the 3D printer.
 
I do this every day with students. Scanning with sufficient accuracy takes a 35,000+ scanner, or laser Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) for even more $. Then a nurb surface
needs to be made into a solid using a program like Geomagic. Then placed into a 3D Cad program Like Parametric Creo, nnalert Inventor, Ustation, or Solid Works. Then tweaked to
make the model fit the real dimensions and tolerancesand sent as a Print file (often STL format is used) and printed. Metal printing is nasty expensive. ABS plastic is about 4$
per cubic inch. Pretty much High Tech to make real parts accurately. Jim
 
Grab Cad has thousands of generic parts in Solid format. Most component OEM have solid models of their products that can be down loaded. (not engineering prints, but mounting
and size config models that can be printed. Some are free after registering, some are expensive. Jim
 

I could, in theory, get the dimensions of the part and design it in SolidWorks, save the model the move it to my 3d printer software and it would write the code to print it. I could print as many as wanted or needed after that.
 
(quoted from post at 08:46:13 02/21/18)
I could, in theory, get the dimensions of the part and design it in SolidWorks, save the model the move it to my 3d printer software and it would write the code to print it. I could print as many as wanted or needed after that.
Click to expand...

Sounds easy!
 
The best way is to have it 3D scanned into a solidworks model, then print.

I would bet most replacement parts for older equipment will be made at the dealer this way in the future.
 
i would doubt if there are any tractor part models out there. at least none that would be of any value.

THe manufacturers don't want you (or anyone else) making parts and competing with them so they keep them confidential. I would do the same if i were them.

so you'll need to figure out how to reverse engineer parts into 3-D (Solidworks would be best in my opinion) so you can print them. you would then have a collection of parts you could just pull up and print or even sell the models if you wanted.
 
I thought about doing this a couple years ago, but I didn't feel the plastic would hold up over time.
Click to expand...

Pretty true assumption in most cases. The original post did not mention what type of plastic he prints with. Most "budget" 3D printers use PLA plastic. Not very strong and very poor fatigue resistance. Some will print in ABS plastic which is quite a bit better particularly if the part is given an acetone vapor bath to help fuse the surface layer.

3D printing is a rapidly evolving technology. While it has ever widening areas of application, it still has lots of limitations.
 
(quoted from post at 06:50:32 02/21/18) If you want to create the 3D models to print from you need to find and learn CAD (computer aided design) and CAM (computer aided manufacturing) software to create the model and gcode


CAD = computer aided machining , NOT manufacturing
Click to expand...
 
(quoted from post at 13:47:16 02/21/18)
(quoted from post at 06:50:32 02/21/18) If you want to create the 3D models to print from you need to find and learn CAD (computer aided design) and CAM (computer aided manufacturing) software to create the model and gcode


CAD = computer aided machining , NOT manufacturing
Click to expand...

CAD = Computer Aided Design. CAM is Computer Aided Machining
Click to expand...
 
Yes you are right my fingers didnt type what the brain was thinking
I should have got it right after all these years (18 years as an CNC machinist and the past 7-1/2 years as a CAM programer)
 
.......I should have got it right after all these years (18 years as an CNC machinist and the past 7-1/2 years as a CAM programer)
Click to expand...

Ah, I'll let you slide. I started programming and running CNCs in 1978 before CAD/CAM was anything but a dream.

If I had the software back then that we have today, I'd probably look 15 years younger ;).
 
The old paper tape?? I never ran that but I did get to throw a bunch of programs and splicing tools in the dumpster one year while we cleaned up the shop.
 
Yep, lots of tapes. Wasn't till ~83 that we got a machine that you could send the programs directly from the computer to the machine.
 
(quoted from post at 13:51:06 02/21/18)
(quoted from post at 13:47:16 02/21/18)
(quoted from post at 06:50:32 02/21/18) If you want to create the 3D models to print from you need to find and learn CAD (computer aided design) and CAM (computer aided manufacturing) software to create the model and gcode


CAD = computer aided machining , NOT manufacturing
Click to expand...

CAD = Computer Aided Design. CAM is Computer Aided Machining
Click to expand...

I defer to the experts. Fusion360 parent refers to it as Manufacturing, as does Wikipedia, so the term CAM may have morphed into Manufacturing from Machining.

My plan is to make patterns for sand casting of obsolete tractor parts.
Click to expand...
 
I'm sure it can mean either.

Since CAM software is use to create code for CNC machine tools is why I think of it as computer aided machining. Manufacturing can mean processes unrelated to CNC.
 
I (and my students) do it all the time. We print 3D patterns, printing them to allow for shrink factor, then use Cope/Drag sand
casting methods to make the cavity. Then split the flask and remove the pattern. We also use two sided pattern boards with the 3D
printed pattern printed so one half goes on one side and the other on the opposite side. Jim
 
I (and my students) do it all the time. We print 3D patterns, printing them to allow for shrink factor, then use Cope/Drag sand
casting methods to make the cavity. Then split the flask and remove the pattern. We also use two sided pattern boards with the 3D
printed pattern printed so one half goes on one side and the other on the opposite side. Jim
Click to expand...

This is an ideal use for 3D printing.
 
I've been printing over the last few years,mainly focusing on the printing it's self (like learning an art of sort) as well as some simple Fusion 360 editing and had this idea, especially with all the plastic knobs and lever covers.
Have you and any further thought about it ?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

N
Dealerships, engineers and manual writers...Long rant...
2
Replies
24
Views
4K
js305
J
J
We are creating our own problems!!!!!!! (Long rant) LOL
2 3
Replies
55
Views
9K
Bartt
B
W
How To Buy That First Homestead Tractor
Replies
1
Views
871
Anonymous-0
A
Tractor Parts Tractor Manuals

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Copyright © 1997-2024 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters
Website Accessibility Policy

Back
Top