3D Printed Center Caps?

[crackership]

Here's a drawing with the dimensions I'll need...

For the o-ring grove, I assume it should be a circular groove, so drew it that way. If instead you need it to be a straight-sided groove (like you'd have for a circlip for example), let me know that too. Edit: I forgot to ask if the location of the groove is important -- on the C wall, how high up do you want the groove?

It would also be a lot stronger if it was solid in this shape, so I'd rather do that if possible. Will that work, or do you need clearance behind it like the second drawing below?

cap-dimensions.jpg



center cap hollow.jpg

Apologies for the delay - just got back from out of town and, of course, this time of year is insanely busy

Regarding the measurements;

A = 69mm
B = 74.5mm
C = 6mm
D = 7mm
E = I'm not sure it matters much but it appears that the Fikse caps have the groove pretty close to the end (what would be the bottom of your picture). So I suppose let's go with 'as close to the end as possible without sacrificing too much strength'. I know that's not a precise measurement but I figure you know the media better than I do.

Unfortunately, I believe I do need the clearance in the back. I don't have my car with me at the moment but the previous owner of the wheels was kind enough to provide me these pictures and I think it pretty clearly shows that clearance will be necessary.

309376180_1728881034178030_6058070394384789339_n.png (1.62 MiB) Viewed 1380 times

308710571_1268783190545605_1129312366509839395_n.png (2.24 MiB) Viewed 1380 times

[kmaneh]

Tom, what are you using to make these designs? I need to make a set of centers for some Campagnolo wheels, and while could ask you to do them, I'd rather learn how to 'fish', and feed myself. Doesn't stop me from asking though!

Here's a drawing with the dimensions I'll need...

For the o-ring grove, I assume it should be a circular groove, so drew it that way. If instead you need it to be a straight-sided groove (like you'd have for a circlip for example), let me know that too. Edit: I forgot to ask if the location of the groove is important -- on the C wall, how high up do you want the groove?

It would also be a lot stronger if it was solid in this shape, so I'd rather do that if possible. Will that work, or do you need clearance behind it like the second drawing below?

cap-dimensions.jpg



center cap hollow.jpg

[Tom]

Sorry gents, I've been out of pocket for the last few days.

@crackership Sounds good, I'll plug those dimensions in and print 4 for you. I'll hollow-out the middle for clearance and print in the material I normally use, but if that material turns out to be too brittle, there are plenty of other options. It's just not cheap to switch materials....

@kmaneh I use a Formlabs Form 3 SLA printer. I print mostly in the Formlabs Grey Pro resin, since it has a good combination of heat tolerance, strength, etc. They have other resins that may be better suited to center caps though. I've used their Rigid 10k to make odometer gears and small tools, and it's amazing. I don't have the specs handy, but it's good to over 400 degrees F and competes with aluminum from a strength perspective. Only downside is that it's $300 a liter, requires its own $150 printing 'tank,' and only lasts about a month.

For more traditional #D-printing, I have a Lulzbot TAZ 6 with lots of mods, and can't say enough good things about that printer.

In terms of the CAD designs, I now use Fusion 360 exclusively. I took classes for SolidWorks and used FreeCAD for years, then tried a bunch of the new online platforms (tinkerCad, Sketch-up, etc., etc.) but in my experience, Fusion's combination of power and ease-of-use just puts it in a class of its own.

[kmaneh]

@kmaneh
In terms of the CAD designs, I now use Fusion 360 exclusively. I took classes for SolidWorks and used FreeCAD for years, then tried a bunch of the new online platforms (tinkerCad, Sketch-up, etc., etc.) but in my experience, Fusion's combination of power and ease-of-use just puts it in a class of its own.

Thanks Tom. I will explore Fusion 360. The last project I did required the use of 5 software packages, and I figured there had to be a better way!

[notny41]

Dang! I need to get a 3D printer...

[Seanster]

Hi, just joined the site and interested in a set of fikse center caps too......I have fm10 classic wheels
Did you ever get a set perfected and would you be willing to make another set? I agree with the original post. Pretty expensive and limited designs....
Thanks

[NioSum1]

Hello Tom & Dave,
If your had a 3D printed Fikse center cap done, I wonder how much it would cost for one that says Fikse Forged with the center bore at 69.33mm?
My email is [email protected] and I can send you the pix there… oh, looks like I can send them here.
Looking forward to your response.
Thanks again for a most interesting post here,
Nio

[Tom]

Hello Tom & Dave,
If your had a 3D printed Fikse center cap done, I wonder how much it would cost for one that says Fikse Forged with the center bore at 69.33mm?
My email is [email protected] and I can send you the pix there… oh, looks like I can send them here.
Looking forward to your response.
Thanks again for a most interesting post here,
Nio

Unfortunately, this project hit a dead end when Dave dropped out (his car was in an accident if memory serves).