Photo device repairs: Spare parts from the 3D printer?

Andreas Thaler

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Currently I have an increased need for battery compartments for the Canon T90, which I will soon no longer be able to cover with my stock of original spare parts.



Batteries that have been forgotten and leaked over the years can sometimes only be removed from the battery compartment of the Canon T90 using destructive methods. Therefore, replacements, such as in this picture of an abandoned T90, are always in demand.


I often read here about making spare parts with a 3D printer and am fascinated by the idea of being able to produce such rare spare parts yourself.

Anyway I know next to nothing about this technology, except that 3D printers have now become affordable for private users.

What would I need to be able to make a battery compartment for the T90, for example, or is that too complex a task?
 
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koraks

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It's a fairly complex model. It can be done, but it'll require a couple of parts that you would have to glue together to make the final piece. Moreover, it's a structural part that can be expected to be subject to considerable wear & tear and mechanical force, and this will have to be accounted for both in component design and print settings.

It's a steep learning curve you'll be entering, both on the engineering and the actual printing fronts. I wouldn't say "too complex" per se, but this kind of model is not a logical first step. Start with something very, very simple, and learn the ropes that way. Then work yourself up to more complex parts. You'll also find out that when "re-creating" a part like this one, you'll end up with a different solution to the original part, because manufacturing technology influences what design will work best. I.e., the end result will probably look a little differently from the original, although you could potentially end up fairly close to it.

If you use a regular filament 3D printer, the end result will always be a little shabby and a far cry from the original. With a resin printer, you could get a little closer. For the final finish you could consider sanding it down to get the smoothness you want.

All taken together, this is kind of a big step to take. Start simple, see how it goes.
 

koraks

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Yeah, see how it goes. It's a project all by itself. Thinking about this a bit more: I'm not a novice at 3D printing, but I'm no expert either. Looking at the T90, I'd spend many days and several test versions to print something that might work in this application, and even then I'd end up with something that functionally might do what it is supposed to do, but it'll still look like a hobby-Bob solution. The question is whether it's worth the trouble unless it's for your own private use. I don't think 3D printing at this point will be a solution to bring back the camera to an 'original' state. It's a bit like a pair of glasses patched together with a band-aid.
 

Dan Daniel

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3-d CAD design is not a simple process. Look at the assorted programs out there, and the approaches to design. There are some solid free programs. I am learning FreeCAD. TinkerCAD is a different approach but another free program often recommended. With the two of them you'll be using the two basic approaches. What you learn in these programs will be applicable in other programs. I'd suggest finding one (search, not limited to what I mentioned) and digging into it.

You can draw up a file and send it out to a company that will print the file. Probably the best approach if you can deal with the delay since operating the printers themselves adds a whole new level for making mistakes. As koraks mentions, filament printers are a bit crude. You can get a $300 US printer for home and as a rough proofing printer, then send out for final items with higher quality printers run by people who specialize in it.
 

Dan Daniel

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Another approach: find a local school or academy or such that is training people in CAD and 3-d design, etc. Ask them for help. Find a student learning how to laser scan, generate files, print, etc. Pay them, of course.
 

ic-racer

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I'd do a 3d scan, touch it up in the software and have it professionally printed in resin. A good project for someone that already has the scanner and software; they could have a number of them made up and sell them. Otherwise, just keep buying more parts cameras.

I had my calibrated light source professionally printed in resin and it came out very nice. It does not have that 'home-made' 3d printed look. It was about $12.
 

RalphLambrecht

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Besides a 3D printer, You would need the design file (STL) to feed the printer with the 3D shape information. This file may be available online, or you have to create it using 3D CAD software.
 

Dan Daniel

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Looks like nice clean printing. Who was the vendor? Link? Thanks!
 

4season

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The end piece + latch would be the trickiest parts to replicate, so if you can salvage the original parts, that would make life much easier. The battery holder itself looks pretty basic, and if you wished, you could create one around a more modern power source.
 

RalphLambrecht

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koraks said:
Yes, that looks really nice; they did a great job on that. It's a good option if you have the design figured out.
Click to expand...

Can you do a detailed write-up on the entire process from start to finish? I would love to integrate that into my next book.
 

eli griggs

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RalphLambrecht said:
Besides a 3D printer, You would need the design file (STL) to feed the printer with the 3D shape information. This file may be available online, or you have to create it using 3D CAD software.
Click to expand...

It might be of use here at Photrio to start a permanent thread for members who do buy or write the software/design/printer instructions to post donated designs, etc.

After all, we're going to see many more 3-D/Resin Photo related parts becoming reality and younger, newer members are going to have adept skills at this process, from which many here would like to explore.
 

koraks

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eli griggs said:
It might be of use here at Photrio to start a permanent thread for members who do buy or write the software/design/printer instructions to post donated designs, etc.
Click to expand...

That's OK; if it happens and gets some traction, I'd be happy to make it a sticky.

I'd suggest that the actual designs are posted on a platform that's suited to it, such as Thingiverse. The thread you propose could also work for people posting links to their favorite Photo-related designs made by others.
 
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