Reproducing NLA plastic parts

[02tom]

Anyone have a good source that will reproduce ABS plastic NLA parts from an existing part for reason cost?  Kind of looking at this as far as demand/cost and thought I'd throw this out here before to see if anyone has went thru this that would care to share.

[peterman]

I would venture to say some have looked and were immediately discouraged. 

If you want a real, injected molded piece, look to spend at minimum 12k on tooling - that you may or may not own, and then buying molded parts at a per piece price.  Prices may not include tool storage fees, breakdown/setup fees if there are any. 

You would be better off 3D printing them then sanding or something to make it look original. 

Just my $0.02

[02tom]

I wouldn't have thought the demand would be there, to accommodate the costs incurred for the production process you're talking about, especially for an item for which the prerequisite is not requiring running a front license plate.  I don't know what type of manufacturing process is being used, but in response in another thread, I found out someone is already reproducing them.  Just happened to find out on after the ebay listing closed but I'm going to hold out and see if he make another batch or lists another.

 

http://stores.ebay.com/Ivo-Christov-BMW-E28-Specialist?_trksid=p2047675.l2563

[72_02]

I've always wondered about this. It seems it's still very expensive.

 

http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/a4354/4320759/

 

Give Jay a call!

Edited September 26, 2016 by 72_02

[02tom]

I was surprised to see a 3D printer in LOWE's a few months ago.  I hadn't researched them since I'd seen it, but they've definitely got me interested but not for the $3000 scanner and $15000 printer in the Popular Mechanics article

[peterman]

https://www.3dhubs.com/

This is a great way to get something prototyped for really cheap.

 

You can also look into vacuum forming if the part is easy enough, although that would incur some high start up costs as well.

[John_in_VA]

On 9/26/2016 at 1:58 PM, 02tom said:

I don't know what type of manufacturing process is being used, but in response in another thread, I found out someone is already reproducing them.  Just happened to find out on after the ebay listing closed but I'm going to hold out and see if he make another batch or lists another.

http://stores.ebay.com/Ivo-Christov-BMW-E28-Specialist?_trksid=p2047675.l2563

 

Ivo is a great guy & parts source.  He's been very helpful for the gang at MyE28.com - his user name is "ovide" there.

[02tom]

Thanks John, I've actually bought a front air dam from him on eBay but didn't know he was reproducing these. 

No reason for me to reinvent the wheel.  I just things all the time though that I have to wonder if one couldn't have them made and recoup the cost.