Page 5 of 8
Re: GRX Second Spare Wheel & Increasing Fuel Capacity
Posted: 26 Jun 2013 13:02
by Clem
Marino4x4 wrote:Hi Clem
Way of topic, but:
Printing something as big as a petrol tank will cost a pretty penny. You would be able to by a Y60 patrol with the money. The technology is at this stage for part about 700x380x380 mm. That is the biggest machine I am aware of that can build Nylon. The other big machines build ABS parts. If I am correct petrol dissolves ABS. On the other scale you get machines that can build a house for you out of cement.
http://www.contourcrafting.org/
The technology is developing rapidly, but size will always be a problem. I work at a company in the Central University of Technology that does 3D printing/Laser sintering.
http://www.cut.ac.za/faculty_pages/crpm/
If any of the forum members are interested in visiting us let me know and I can arrange a tour. We have machines that can grow: Plastic (Nylon, ABS), Sand, rubber, polystyrene, steel and Titanium.
Heck, that contour crafting stuff is something!
I wonder what a proper laser sintering machine costs nowadays and what the highest grade and strength is that you can make with it. Must be a fascinating area to work in.
Re: GRX Second Spare Wheel & Increasing Fuel Capacity
Posted: 26 Jun 2013 13:30
by Peter Connan
Marino, I would love to!
Re: GRX Second Spare Wheel & Increasing Fuel Capacity
Posted: 26 Jun 2013 15:24
by Marino4x4
Hi Clem
The strongest material we have is the Titanium:
- DSC01192.jpg (120.8 KiB) Viewed 2636 times
The structures on the coins is 0.3 mm. You can also grow fiber reinforced Nylon that is quite strong, but we do not import this material due to cost. We are doing research in maraging steel. This is used for injection moulding tools or direct parts.
The machines range from R7.5 million for the metal machines to about R4 million for the plastic machines.
The cheap 3D desktop printers is about R15 000 these days.
The CRPM website was lanced a few weeks back, so it is not up to date, but will be attended with in the next month or so.
Peter let me know when you are coming past Bloem and we can arrange a tour.
Re: GRX Second Spare Wheel & Increasing Fuel Capacity
Posted: 26 Jun 2013 17:15
by Clem
Guys, why not fibreglass using a vinyl ester resin? Its approved for fuel tanks in boats. If its properly shielded from being bashed, why shouldn't it last as well anything else?
Re: GRX Second Spare Wheel & Increasing Fuel Capacity
Posted: 27 Jun 2013 07:27
by AndrewA
Peter Connan wrote:Andrew, the spigot (raised portion in the middle of the hub) that the wheel must fit around is bigger on the Patrol than on most others. But it's only a millimeter or two.
If the rim does not fit around this spigot, it does not sit flush against the mounting surface. Now two things happen. Firstly, it is almost impossible to get the wheels on absolutely straight (thus introducing a wobble and a lot of extra load) and secondly because the contact area is so small, it can't carry the load and starts deforming. The moment this happens, the wheelnuts are loose and then they fall off.
I have no idea as to whether Cruiser wheels fit, but certainly they can be modified to fit.
Thanks for this information I will have another look when I take a wheel off again.
Re: GRX Second Spare Wheel & Increasing Fuel Capacity
Posted: 27 Jun 2013 18:21
by Kagiso II
ANDREW -- for ONE -- do not WAIT to check if that wheel seats .. do it NOW -- if it twists slightly and it's a magnesium wheel - it will break an shatterlike glass -- if it is steel it wil bend beyond use - and throw you car wayyy off aligment and f - up your bearings too
I just had the Cruizer FJ rims shaved toe fit on Thor -- cost R1050
- Benoni-20130627-01102.jpg (1.76 MiB) Viewed 2606 times
Re: GRX Second Spare Wheel & Increasing Fuel Capacity
Posted: 27 Jun 2013 20:43
by AndrewA
Yours looks good, not to worry I just tested the 70's rim but put my standard on back. Not going to chance a wheel coming off again once is enough.
Re: GRX Second Spare Wheel & Increasing Fuel Capacity
Posted: 27 Jun 2013 22:07
by dieselfan
Clem wrote:Guys, why not fibreglass using a vinyl ester resin? Its approved for fuel tanks in boats. If its properly shielded from being bashed, why shouldn't it last as well anything else?
Was thinking the same thing. My dad has a fibre glass guy working for him (ex boating industry). I'll ask for his opinion. He has shown me some very strong setups.
Re: GRX Second Spare Wheel & Increasing Fuel Capacity
Posted: 28 Jun 2013 06:01
by Clem
Thank you. Would be interesting.
Re: GRX Second Spare Wheel & Increasing Fuel Capacity
Posted: 28 Jun 2013 10:21
by Peter Connan
It sounds like an idea with merit, but there is a proviso:
The tanks on my car have met up with ground and rocks on many occasions. If I were to use a glass-fibre tank, I think it would need substantial protective metalwork.