02Pilot
02Pilot PowerDork
1/10/23 9:39 p.m.

Just read this over on The Drive. Apparently, one can print a mold and lay their own fiberglass, et voila, instant hardtop. It's like we're living in the future.

Keith Tanner
Keith Tanner GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
1/10/23 9:48 p.m.

Yes, someone's cut it up so you can print it on an Ender 3, it's about 50 pieces :) Not exactly "instant hardtop".

Seems like quite the exercise in futility to me. I've worked with one of the Treasure Coast racing hardtops and they're a long, long way from a hardtop - but they're already shaped like hardtops.

02Pilot
02Pilot PowerDork
1/10/23 9:57 p.m.

In reply to Keith Tanner :

What the hell do I know? I bought an RF. cheeky

VolvoHeretic
VolvoHeretic GRM+ Memberand HalfDork
1/10/23 10:04 p.m.

Does it at least snap together like a lego set?

Keith Tanner
Keith Tanner GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
1/10/23 10:32 p.m.

I do have to give credit for creativity and willingness to take on a big project. It's a lot better than just printing dragon models downloaded off Thingiverse :)

Brett_Murphy (Agent of Chaos)
Brett_Murphy (Agent of Chaos) GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
1/11/23 11:26 a.m.

I think it's a great way to go for somebody who has more time than money. 

One of the adjacent teenagers is going to school for CAD related stuff. I'm sending it to him.

 

fidelity101
fidelity101 UberDork
1/12/23 1:15 p.m.
Keith Tanner said:

Yes, someone's cut it up so you can print it on an Ender 3, it's about 50 pieces :) Not exactly "instant hardtop".

Seems like quite the exercise in futility to me. I've worked with one of the Treasure Coast racing hardtops and they're a long, long way from a hardtop - but they're already shaped like hardtops.

yes for the hobbyist but this is done for conventional prototyping all the time - probably 3-4 pieces in a larger format machine 

 

I wouldn't call this a 3d printed hard top its still a fiberglass hard top that used 3d printing to help make the mold but thats not sexy and sex sells. 

AMiataCalledSteve
AMiataCalledSteve Reader
1/30/23 11:41 a.m.

I'm not sure if this is the same person or model, but I came across this today...

r/Miata - Functional 3D Printable Miata Hardtop - Ready for production

Link

And for the curious, here's the actual CAD model (for sale)

https://www.etsy.com/shop/fezprints/?etsrc=sdt

 

I wonder how hard it would be to make a higher poly version of this, or alternatively adapt the low poly model model to a flat sheet cutting schedule to be laser cut from carbon fiber from SendCutSend or something like that, then fastened together with industrial adhesives, the idea being better aero than an open car and keeping you out of the sun, not necessarily weather resistance.

Parker with too many Projects
Parker with too many Projects Dork
1/30/23 3:59 p.m.

I've got a Modix Big-180x that would likely print it in one or two passes...

Modix 180X V4 3D Printer

 

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