Design to Manufacture of a Custom Gauge Holder (Part 3 of 3)

In the final post of my three part series on creating a custom oil pressure gauge holder for my car, I cover the finishing touches to my SOLIDWORKS model file, and 3D printing a physical end-use part.

If you haven’t read my previous two posts, they cover scanning the dash vent area around a gauge, and beginning the process of creating a gauge mount 3D model from the scanned data.

Partially complete SOLIDWORKS Model

Finishing the SOLIDWORKS Design

I left off with a mostly completed SOLIDWORKS Model that just needed some refinement. Adding in some slots to allow air to pass through will keeping the vent functionality of this piece.

Vents added to the model

Finally, I need to add in some retention clips to the model to make sure the vent stays in place once installed. A simple snap clip should work well for latching onto the back side of the interior panel.

Retention clips added

Manufacturing the Design

With the design completed, it is now time to 3D print the part on the Stratasys F170 3D printer here in my office!

Stratasys F170 3D Printer

Taking the completed design into GrabCAD Print is as simple as browsing to the SOLIDWORKS file and opening. GrabCAD loads the model, and allows me to easily set up the 3D print. I selected automatic orientation, chose a solid fill, and sliced the model prior to clicking “print”. The file is automatically transferred via the WiFi network to the 3D printer and in the seconds it takes to walk over to the printer, it is loaded up and ready to go. Simply confirming the design on the touch screen starts the 3D printing process.

GrabCAD Print

3D Printing Part Completed

With the print completed, I’ll pop it off the build tray and the soluble support means that I don’t have to remove any support material manually, I just place it in the dissolving tank, and retrieve it once finished. The end result is a gauge holder that looks nice in the car and allows for airflow.

Gauge holder installed in my car

Need help with your Design to Manufacture process?

The ability to take an idea all the way from concept, through design and end with a fully functional finished part is a major advantage of the knowledge and technical capabilities found at Javelin, including:

• 3D Scanning
• 3D Design
• 3D Printing

Everyone is passionate about the solutions we provide which help solve problems you may be experiencing throughout your entire product lifecycle. Get in touch with Javelin today to find out how we can help your company!