Yup, sintered metal printing . Has a few issues of irregular shrinkage when sintering. Have to machine the critical areas postprinting.
 
But I have heard of printers that somehow compute the complicated shrinkage that is predicted to occur and compensate to a degree whilst printing.

It’s all very exciting, and it will develop greatly. But I’d like to have a hand held scanner that will get existing parts into software , I suppose that’s obvious after my request to list for door card files :-)

Alistair 

> On Jul 15, 2019, at 8:17 AM, KIM BRENNAN <kimbrennan@mac.com> wrote:
> 
> As Alistair said, it can vary. Also the nature of the 3D printer (and materials) can vary. Ideally you want the replicated part to be made of a material that can withstand the heat and cold and UV. Some plastics can, some can't. There are also 3D printers (non-consumer) that can 'print' in metal. 
> 
> 
>> On Jul 15, 2019, at 10:48 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.)
>>>