3D Printing in the $20XX Challenge?

I'm not sure if this has been discussed before (quick search says it hasn't), but how is 3D Printing approached for the Challenge? Printers are starting to get big enough and common enough that you could make some nice, cheap, useful parts. It's an expensive machine, yes, but on the same order of magnitude as a welder (and falling below that, even).

Thoughts?

Tools are not included in the budget. Your own labor is not included in the budget. Other people's labor (that aren't team members) is included in the budget. Parts you pay for are in the budget. Material is in the budget.

Is there something beyond that you're asking?

Bryce

I would add to what Bryce said... failed parts which have been removed and replaced are not in the budget.

Seems to me, you could make as many failed attempts as you want. The only thing in the budget is the materials of the part on the car at the event.

(This assumes you have access to the machine, and made the parts with your labor. If you hired someone, then their labor is in the budget).

That's what I thought, just making sure there wasn't something else that had been discussed.

So, hypothetically speaking, one could 3D print an exhaust manifold out of PLA, cast it in ceramic slurry, ash out the PLA, and pour a custom cast manifold and only be on the hook for the metal that was poured?

Haha sounds right!

unevolved wrote: That's what I thought, just making sure there wasn't something else that had been discussed. So, hypothetically speaking, one could 3D print an exhaust manifold out of PLA, cast it in ceramic slurry, ash out the PLA, and pour a custom cast manifold and only be on the hook for the metal that was poured?

Just make sure if you use aluminum from cans that you don't have the deposit out on them still, that would count against your budget.

unevolved wrote: That's what I thought, just making sure there wasn't something else that had been discussed. So, hypothetically speaking, one could 3D print an exhaust manifold out of PLA, cast it in ceramic slurry, ash out the PLA, and pour a custom cast manifold and only be on the hook for the metal that was poured?

sounds right, and awesome. please, do this.

Might have to give it a shot. I love using advanced technology for lowbrow purposes.

unevolved wrote: That's what I thought, just making sure there wasn't something else that had been discussed. So, hypothetically speaking, one could 3D print an exhaust manifold out of PLA, cast it in ceramic slurry, ash out the PLA, and pour a custom cast manifold and only be on the hook for the metal that was poured?

It would be no different than carving an exhaust manifold out of Styrofoam and casting it.

Ok, so we are waiting for the write up. You done yet?

The whole idea behind the Challenge is to build cool stuff with your hands, ingenuity and creativity. Bring it on.

Good, this helps with our ideas for a Volvo wagon.

unevolved wrote: That's what I thought, just making sure there wasn't something else that had been discussed. So, hypothetically speaking, one could 3D print an exhaust manifold out of PLA, cast it in ceramic slurry, ash out the PLA, and pour a custom cast manifold and only be on the hook for the metal that was poured?

Yup. No different than guys making fiberglass body panels (don't count the molds against the budget!) or me building an assembly jig that is only a tool used to build the part that stays on the car (but doesn't go on the car).

You talk a big game, now let's see you deliver!

Bryce

This reminds me of the great shop smithy debate of 2002. Some people were scared to death someone would buy a chunk of aluminum and mill out an F1 car. Be prepared to hear that argument revisited. Sounds cool to me, I'd love to see that used in a way we can relate to.