<p>This is a very large part. My estimate for the cost would be a few thousand to get this printed in metal, if not tens of thousands (assuming it even fits the maximum build volume of the printer, which is only 440mm on its longest axis).</p>

<p>3D scanning also isn't a very reliable way to reproduce parts, especially for something mechanical that needs to be precise. You can not just scan something and then print it like making a photocopy. A lot of manual design and reverse engineering work would be involved.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-10-16T16:09:24.400Z
atop that... I don't even know of any *aluminium* printer. I know they use *steel*...
Trish
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-10-16T18:36:53.583Z
@Trish https://www.stratasysdirect.com/materials/direct-metal-laser-sintering
tjb1
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-10-16T18:44:35.207Z
@Trish At work we print Aluminium, but it is pretty difficult. Scalmalloy is one of the few powders that can be used too print in Aluminium. We also print superalloys, which are very heat resistant materials typically found in the hot path of jet engines.
0scar
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-10-16T18:58:09.383Z
@Trish - I'm aware of stainless steel & titanium, which [Koenigsegg talks about in this video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNedUZxP8NU) Not the "typical" 3D printing method, but still additive manufacturing. The end print looks pretty magnificent if you look at the quality and what it actually does.
Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-10-16T14:50:29.337Z
2018-10-16T14:50:29.337Z
Tom van der Zanden
<p>I am interested in 3d printing from aluminum valve cover for car <a href="https://www.eeuroparts.com/Parts/59071/Engine-Valve-Cover-Front-V6-4623740/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">SAAB valve cover</a></p>

<p>I am thinking of creating 3d scan and the placing order with i.materialize or similar online services. </p>

<p>I am curios if this is feasible at all, since  I am interested in 3d printing functional part not just a souvenir. Also since 3d part does not have smooth surface, will sand blasting help without affecting dimensions?</p>

<p>Also what would be an approximate cost of 3d scanning and printing?</p>

<p>I really do not know where to start and would appreciate any directions. </p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-10-16T14:19:49.660Z
I suspect getting this 3d "printed" will be more expensive than buying it OEM and will not be as strong
Perplexed Dipole
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-10-16T15:44:13.347Z
Welcome to 3D Printing! I agree with @PerplexedDipole here and with answer below ... this is not a cheap process. 3D printing is used for "one off" and validation, not for production printing. If you had something special you wanted done (ie: and atypical design) this might be a way to go. But really, you could have a new one cast and finished from an old one cheaper than you could have one 3D printed. Personally, I'd go buy a TIG welder and some aluminum sheet metal and make my own before I'd pay someone to do as you're suggesting. I'm not dogging you here, it's just an observation.
Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-10-16T16:11:51.750Z
@Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2 there is robot-arm-welding, which can be a form of additive manufacturing, but the robots for that are in the 5 to 6 digit area. and the produced part needs to be postprocessed a lot. AFAIK it can't print in place. And the valve cover consists of more than one part assembled.
Trish
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-10-16T16:24:40.100Z
Thank you all for clarifying! Clearly, I had very poor understanding of 3d printing.
user1700890
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-10-16T18:31:58.373Z
Printing in Aluminium is not very easy (like welding Aluminium is not easy as well) my company is looking into aeronautical applications. The powders are expensive and the end product it porous.
0scar
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-10-16T18:36:47.850Z
@0scar, Is printing from any other metal cheaper or easier?
user1700890
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-10-16T18:43:07.740Z
No, metal printing is very difficult because of the large temperature differences, I've seen printed products warp 20 mm steel plates (this is where the product is build upon). Orientation and support material is very important, more than it is for polymers.
0scar
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-10-18T11:43:04.320Z
After careful inspection: the part is injection molded plastic as it seems. (look at the "underside"
Trish
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-10-18T14:19:26.777Z
@Trish I guess so, I have no expertise. All I know is that it starts failing fairly quickly (oil leaks). I am guessing plastic is simply not thick enough. I know for performance cars plastic valve covers are sometimes replaced with metal ones.  New parts are either pressed or CNC. CNC for BMW is about $2,000 CAD
user1700890
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-10-18T14:34:34.393Z
You are checking apples against oranges here: Your part might be leaky because of various reasons. It could be a bad part. It could be the seals aging. It could be the wrong part for your motor. It could be, that a changed motor performance simply does no longer allow this part to work for you put more stress on it than designed. Sometimes plastic parts are even meant to break as safety features - better break this item and have the machine vent pressure here than vent the pressure because some other part breaks and vents the pressure into the user. But that is an engineering question.
Trish
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-10-18T14:42:51.090Z
On the other hand: the mose expensive part of CNC is not always the machine time, it is usually the material, as you have to "cut from the full". Atop that comes often design work or design protection fees. If a metal cover has the same or better performance to the injection molded plastic is hard to tell, but as it is an automotive part and might change the performance, it might make your car not longer matching the car type written into the papers - it might count as illegal tuning and void your insurance. I am not a lawyer, but inform yourself.
Trish
<3d-design>
3d print aluminum valve cover for car
user1700890
# 3d print aluminum valve cover for car

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-10-16)

I am interested in 3d printing from aluminum valve cover for car [SAAB valve cover](https://www.eeuroparts.com/Parts/59071/Engine-Valve-Cover-Front-V6-4623740/)

I am thinking of creating 3d scan and the placing order with i.materialize or similar online services.

I am curios if this is feasible at all, since I am interested in 3d printing functional part not just a souvenir. Also since 3d part does not have smooth surface, will sand blasting help without affecting dimensions?

Also what would be an approximate cost of 3d scanning and printing?

I really do not know where to start and would appreciate any directions.

**Tags:** 3d-design

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: I suspect getting this 3d "printed" will be more expensive than buying it OEM and will not be as strong  
> **username_2**: Welcome to 3D Printing! I agree with @username_1 here and with answer below ... this is not a cheap process. 3D printing is used for "one off" and validation, not for production printing. If you had something special you wanted done (ie: and atypical design) this might be a way to go. But really, you could have a new one cast and finished from an old one cheaper than you could have one 3D printed. Personally, I'd go buy a TIG welder and some aluminum sheet metal and make my own before I'd pay someone to do as you're suggesting. I'm not dogging you here, it's just an observation.  
> **username_3**: @username_2 there is robot-arm-welding, which can be a form of additive manufacturing, but the robots for that are in the 5 to 6 digit area. and the produced part needs to be postprocessed a lot. AFAIK it can't print in place. And the valve cover consists of more than one part assembled.  
> **username_0**: Thank you all for clarifying! Clearly, I had very poor understanding of 3d printing.  
> **username_4**: Printing in Aluminium is not very easy (like welding Aluminium is not easy as well) my company is looking into aeronautical applications. The powders are expensive and the end product it porous.  
> **username_0**: @username_4, Is printing from any other metal cheaper or easier?  
> **username_4**: No, metal printing is very difficult because of the large temperature differences, I've seen printed products warp 20 mm steel plates (this is where the product is build upon). Orientation and support material is very important, more than it is for polymers.  
> **username_3**: After careful inspection: the part is injection molded plastic as it seems. (look at the "underside"  
> **username_0**: @username_3 I guess so, I have no expertise. All I know is that it starts failing fairly quickly (oil leaks). I am guessing plastic is simply not thick enough. I know for performance cars plastic valve covers are sometimes replaced with metal ones.  New parts are either pressed or CNC. CNC for BMW is about $2,000 CAD  
> **username_3**: You are checking apples against oranges here: Your part might be leaky because of various reasons. It could be a bad part. It could be the seals aging. It could be the wrong part for your motor. It could be, that a changed motor performance simply does no longer allow this part to work for you put more stress on it than designed. Sometimes plastic parts are even meant to break as safety features - better break this item and have the machine vent pressure here than vent the pressure because some other part breaks and vents the pressure into the user. But that is an engineering question.  
> **username_3**: On the other hand: the mose expensive part of CNC is not always the machine time, it is usually the material, as you have to "cut from the full". Atop that comes often design work or design protection fees. If a metal cover has the same or better performance to the injection molded plastic is hard to tell, but as it is an automotive part and might change the performance, it might make your car not longer matching the car type written into the papers - it might count as illegal tuning and void your insurance. I am not a lawyer, but inform yourself.  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_5 on 2018-10-16. Score: 4 | Accepted answer

This is a very large part. My estimate for the cost would be a few thousand to get this printed in metal, if not tens of thousands (assuming it even fits the maximum build volume of the printer, which is only 440mm on its longest axis).

3D scanning also isn't a very reliable way to reproduce parts, especially for something mechanical that needs to be precise. You can not just scan something and then print it like making a photocopy. A lot of manual design and reverse engineering work would be involved.

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: atop that... I don't even know of any *aluminium* printer. I know they use *steel*...  
> **username_6**: @username_3 https://www.stratasysdirect.com/materials/direct-metal-laser-sintering  
> **username_4**: @username_3 At work we print Aluminium, but it is pretty difficult. Scalmalloy is one of the few powders that can be used too print in Aluminium. We also print superalloys, which are very heat resistant materials typically found in the hot path of jet engines.  
> **username_2**: @username_3 - I'm aware of stainless steel & titanium, which [Koenigsegg talks about in this video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNedUZxP8NU) Not the "typical" 3D printing method, but still additive manufacturing. The end print looks pretty magnificent if you look at the quality and what it actually does.  

---

