3D printed body and tank

[CrossbreedCycles]

I've been experimenting with 3D printing body work, including fuel tanks. It's taken a bit of experimenting but I'm now very happy with the process.

The tanks are printed in "fuzzy" mode which is like scotchbrite, this helps absorb the vinylester (PETROL PROOF) resin when I fibreglass the inside.

I bring the two fibreglass halves together and caulk the recessed joint with resin/glass stand, I then run a bit of resin around the joint on the inside. The filler neck and tap spigot are welded to stainless plates that are bonded on the inside and fibreglass over. The composite is very strong, the small tank you can stand on!

I didn't print the grey seat but I printed all the other parts

[WD-40]

That's impressive. You could create any shape tank you want once it fits inside the 3d printer. Do you think it would be possible to print a whole bike in the future? Maybe it's the end of large scale manufacturing Instead everyone has a printer and prints off their own stuff

[Marino]

Fantastic!

[CrossbreedCycles]

That's impressive. You could create any shape tank you want once it fits inside the 3d printer. Do you think it would be possible to print a whole bike in the future? Maybe it's the end of large scale manufacturing Instead everyone has a printer and prints off their own stuff

 

I think almost everything will be 3D in the future, perhaps not printers as we know them today.

What I like about the method I've used, is you don't need to make a plug, then a mold, you simply print what you want, one offs are a breeze.