Approach
Here is an example of a spare parts production for a classic Vespa - let's call it “reverse engineering”.
Rubber parts in particular are a standard problem with historic vehicles. The softening agent in the rubber parts is lost, the parts become hard and brittle, lose their function and break. Spare parts are no longer available, usable original parts are “worth their weight in gold” - and there is already a topic for 3D4U-Freiburg.
Rubber parts in particular are a standard problem with historic vehicles. The softening agent in the rubber parts is lost, the parts become hard and brittle, lose their function and break. Spare parts are no longer available, usable original parts are “worth their weight in gold” - and there is already a topic for 3D4U-Freiburg.
The item in question on the Vespa/ACMA V.55 is spare part number #15182 “Garniture”, a simple seal between the handlebar and the lamp housing. This is intended to prevent rainwater from entering the lamp pot. This important rubber seal is used on all tubular handlebar Vespas and is virtually impossible to find on classic car and spare parts markets.
The remnants of the original seal were precisely measured and traced using CAD and slightly adapted/improved for use so that the best possible seal is achieved.
The first step is a printout in PLA to check the dimensional accuracy of the print. The final print is then made in soft rubber material.
Perfect fit on the object and another problem solved.
