The problem is the most of the printers use a material that is very similar
to what you would find in a hot glue gun.  So it is fine for printing small
statues that you can put on your desk at your home.  But printing a vehicle
part, not so much.  Think about installing one of these light holders, only
to have it melt the first day the van sits in a hot parking lot.

Of course you can buy a brand new one for not that much money from us on
our site here:
https://www.vanagain.com/shop/license-plate-light-holder-for-all-vanagon

Or you can just ignore this email like the last one I sent.

Ken

On Mon, Jul 15, 2019 at 11:06 AM Alistair Bell <albell@shaw.ca> wrote:

> Can be a few ways...
>
> Small parts can be scanned, 3 d scanned, then imported into a 3D modelling
> program for adjustment or modification.
>
> Or the part, original, can be measured by hand and drawn up de novo in the
> 3D modelling software.
>
> Once you have the computer model, it’s then sliced or diced or whatever
> ;-) by the software associated with the 3D printer used to make the final
> shape.
>
> That’s a very simplistic overview. I don’t do 3D printing, my day job is
> taking 3D computer models and making the parts in a cnc mill.
>
> There are companies that will print the parts you want, from files you
> supply. I think there are links on the thingiverse pages to such outfits.
>
> But Dave, I can see you getting a small printer and having fun during the
> dark winter months :-)
>
> Alistair
>
> > On Jul 15, 2019, at 7:48 AM, David McNeely <davmcneely40@gmail.com>
> wrote:
> >
> > So, for those of us who know nothing about 3D printing:  Does one
> require a part for a pattern, or is all the information in the files for
> making the part?  If a pattern, then it seems that the new part would have
> the flaws of the old part.  How were the files generated?  From copying a
> preexisting part?
> >
> > Sorry for my ignorance.
> >
> > mcneely
> >
> >> On Sun, Jul 14, 2019 at 6:23 PM Alistair Bell <albell@shaw.ca> wrote:
> >> I think... I might be mistaken about the source, but I think there are
> files for 3D printing of that part at thingiverse.com.
> >>
> >> Yup...
> >>
> >> https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:34856
> >>
> >> For at least some of the plastic NLA parts, 3D printing will be our
> saviour.
> >>
> >> Alistair
> >>
> >> > On Jul 14, 2019, at 5:21 PM, KIM BRENNAN <kimbrennan@mac.com> wrote:
> >> >
> >> > On our ancient vehicles I rarely remember that sometimes parts become
> unavailable. Case i point the little plastic housings for the rear license
> tag lights. I found one of mine dangling (broken), and went to order from
> the usual places and “out of stock”. BusLab (in theory) has them, so I
> ordered a couple of replacements. Hopefully I won’t get a charge back due
> to them no longer having any….
> >> >
> >> > I went to one of my “out of service” Vanagons. Plastic housing (and
> clear lens and screws) looked like new. Must have been replaced at some
> point in their life. On the other housing on the Van I was fixing, the
> screws are stripped, so that will be a fun repair if or when I have to
> replace the bulb on that side (if it isn’t working right now, it will flunk
> Virginia safety inspection.)
>

-- 
Thanks,
Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com