For those of us without the skill, online 3D print rendering services....

[VERAULT]

I have a part I need to have recreated/3D printed. I don't own a 3D printer nor do I know how to use the software to create such files. I was wondering if anyone knows of such a website or company that you can mail the small part to and have them render it (and possibly print it as well). If not this seems like a niche that would be an easy money maker. Why wouldn't such a service exist.

Any thoughts on this, do any of you happen to know such a place?

Mick

[alank2]

I've used shapeways.com a number of years ago.

[commodorejohn]

Shapeways is nice and straightforward for the manufacturing end of things, but you still need the shape file for the part. If it's not something someone has already created, then you'll either need to make it yourself (TinkerCAD is a nice easy way to get started) or have someone else do it for you.

[Timo W.]

If not this seems like a niche that would be an easy money maker. Why wouldn't such a service exist.

Easy money? No. Even simple parts can take hours to re-create in 3D. And you often need to make changes, as you can not 3d-print any structure.

I'm doing this for three years now (non-commercially) and there's no easy money to make with this. As a commercial service, this would be very, very expensive.

What part is it you need?

[VERAULT]

I need a flapper/Lever for a rare floppy drive. I can barrow one to use as a model but I then have to take full responsibility of it which is nerve racking, but its my only choice.

All these online services like shape-ways are just 3d printing services. That is not what I need, I need someone to actually make the model files.

[VERAULT]

Honestly no one seems to have an answer. I think I'm going to make a silicone mold and fill it with Epoxy to try and recreate it. Seems easy enough in theory.

[Timo W.]

Not sure how complex that lever is, but if you can do pictures of it from all sides on coordinate paper, I'll try making it for you in 3d.

[ldkraemer]

Mick,
What is the Make and Model of the Floppy Drive you need a door for? There are several parts for floppy
Drives on Thing-I-Verse. You can search Thing-I-Verse for the Manufacture and see if it's available.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2866353
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3135233
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4626180

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2914747
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3166315
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3836610
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2920553
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3412366
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1766713
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4033995
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4591936
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4257095


If it's not there, and you have an OEM part, Draw it on paper with exact dimensions and we can print
it in Resin or Filament. The Floppy Doors and Hinges we have on ebay are PRUSA Resin that is
a special resin that is some what flexible. The Hinge parts also appear to work on some Shughart
SA-400 Drives, according to one buyer.

Larry & Garry

[markgm]

I do this as a hobby. I've made a few parts for folks, you can get a feel for the stuff I've made here: https://www.ebay.com/sch/markgm/m.html? Something like a floppy lever should be relatively easy to replicate.