Mini Thunderbolt Parts - Not Getting Built Any Time Soon

[Snowcube]

Sorry to bump this rather old topic, but I may know of a way to make these much cheaper and easier. 3d printing. it would not be difficult to design a mini Thunderbolt chopper in a program like Sketchup, at least for me. It would even be possible to make a small Roots blower (probably wouldn't be effective though). You could probably have the pieces printed by Shapeways for a lower cost than the machine shop, if you are still considering this project.

[bobcat418]

Sorry to bump this rather old topic, but I may know of a way to make these much cheaper and easier. 3d printing. it would not be difficult to design a mini Thunderbolt chopper in a program like Sketchup, at least for me. It would even be possible to make a small Roots blower (probably wouldn't be effective though). You could probably have the pieces printed by Shapeways for a lower cost than the machine shop, if you are still considering this project.

I have been 3D printing for a while and it can't really be used for complex moving objects. I tried printing just a chopper and stator, but the tolerances were not tight enough. With something as complex as a thunderbolt, it would be nearly impossible to make a functioning model. That being said, 3D printing is great for stationary models of stuff such as a thunderbolt.

[Snowcube]

Sorry to bump this rather old topic, but I may know of a way to make these much cheaper and easier. 3d printing. it would not be difficult to design a mini Thunderbolt chopper in a program like Sketchup, at least for me. It would even be possible to make a small Roots blower (probably wouldn't be effective though). You could probably have the pieces printed by Shapeways for a lower cost than the machine shop, if you are still considering this project.

I have been 3D printing for a while and it can't really be used for complex moving objects. I tried printing just a chopper and stator, but the tolerances were not tight enough. With something as complex as a thunderbolt, it would be nearly impossible to make a functioning model. That being said, 3D printing is great for stationary models of stuff such as a thunderbolt.

Did it have a honeycomb structure or was it solid? I have made high speed parts (I made 4 10'' ducted fans with 1hp Ampflow DC motors on each of them for a wind tunnel last year) and from my experience, if you don't use a solid fill the object will self destruct.