318ti.org forum

Go Back   318ti.org forum > Technical, Maintenance and Modifications > Exterior

Notices

Exterior From spoilers, lights to body kits and window problems.

.
» Recent Threads
1999 M-Sport For Sale
12-31-2023 05:10 PM
Last post by Coop540iT
03-23-2024 06:39 PM
1 Replies, 105,915 Views
Once again 318ti owner...
03-20-2024 12:39 PM
Last post by two30grain
03-22-2024 02:04 PM
1 Replies, 68,878 Views
What brakes do I...
03-20-2024 03:27 PM
Last post by huirtera
03-20-2024 03:27 PM
0 Replies, 66,116 Views
Reply Share/Bookmark
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 08-19-2016, 06:55 PM   #16
Uber E30
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Nor Cal
Posts: 281
iTrader: (0)
Default

I dont think thats what they do, the titanium one talks about sintering with a laser. You take a look though you probably understand the process better than me.

https://i.materialise.com/3d-printing-materials
__________________

-Alex

Last edited by Uber E30; 08-19-2016 at 06:59 PM.
Uber E30 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-19-2016, 08:36 PM   #17
hotmilk400
Senior Member
 
hotmilk400's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Bethlehem, PA
Posts: 1,106
iTrader: (13)
Default

Hey,

That technelogy is very awesome but very expensive. We nearly bought one of those 3D printers but the samples they sent us were not that strong and the cost for material is crazy expensive, something like $100 - $200 per pound for plastic.

I just ran the gear in their pricing system and they told me $65 per gear for aluminum, so $130 a set + shipping. Steel was $376.00 a set. I wouldn't trust platic since the previous plastic gears we made fell apart, but they were $30 per set + shipping.


Not awful if no other solutions exist. Even if they price was reasonable, nothing that is 3D printed has the same quality as a regular part. When they print by layers, sometimes the material does not bond to the lower levels. For most things, that is fine. But for small teeth on a gear, they will get torn up right away. We did not fully realize that when we printed the first gear in Nylon about a year ago but even nylon was wrecked after a few uses.


Thanks for trying to help tho! One day the prices will drop on this sort of stuff. For now, it is a great tool for people protoyping and people who need a single gear (like this) but not for mass production.
__________________
Check out our new website! https://soltechsolutionsllc.com/

Green Your Decor with the Aspect! Shop for the Grow Light Used by Interior Designers, Growers & People Like You!
hotmilk400 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-19-2016, 09:07 PM   #18
BlackBMWs
Senior Member
 
BlackBMWs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 2,451
Vehicles
iTrader: (7)
Default

Yup, two open, close sequences shredded the printed gears. This was on a clean, smooth operating top.

(I am Mike's test pilot... )


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
__________________


1998 318ti Sport - "Cali" Schwartz II/Schwartz sport interior, Cali top
1998 318ti Sport - "Max" Schwartz II/Schwartz sport interior, S52
1997 318ti Sport - "Tiny" Schwartz II/Schwartz sport interior
1995 318ti Active - "Blanca" Alpineweib III/Schwartz leather interior

Other Current Bimmers: 2006 530i / 2000 2.3L Z3 / 1997 1.9L Z3 / 1999 540it

1997 318ti Sport - "Huera" - RIP
1995 318ti Active - RIP
1995 318ti Sport - "Tiny" Sold
1994 325i Sedan - "Jade" - Sold
1991 318ic - "Bert" - Sold
1985 635csi sold
1984 533i "Max" Sold
1984 318i sold

BMWCCA #160411

SUPPORT 318ti.org! CLICK THE LINK ABOVE!
Hosting a forum like this is not free. 318ti.org is one of the best BMW forums on the web because it is member supported, not vendor supported. The cost to become a Supporter is a nominal $10.00... A YEAR! DO IT! NOW!
BlackBMWs is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-19-2016, 10:10 PM   #19
Uber E30
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Nor Cal
Posts: 281
iTrader: (0)
Default

250 seems like its going to be a struggle though. We have less than 200 active members and I'm guessing just a few of them are Cali tops. My top is sluggish so I'm in for whatever you do but I know moulding is $$$ and might leave you high and dry.
__________________

-Alex
Uber E30 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-19-2016, 11:57 PM   #20
BlackBMWs
Senior Member
 
BlackBMWs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 2,451
Vehicles
iTrader: (7)
Default

Diff note, have you cleaned and dry lubed your top mechanism? Makes a difference and relieves stress on all parts.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
__________________


1998 318ti Sport - "Cali" Schwartz II/Schwartz sport interior, Cali top
1998 318ti Sport - "Max" Schwartz II/Schwartz sport interior, S52
1997 318ti Sport - "Tiny" Schwartz II/Schwartz sport interior
1995 318ti Active - "Blanca" Alpineweib III/Schwartz leather interior

Other Current Bimmers: 2006 530i / 2000 2.3L Z3 / 1997 1.9L Z3 / 1999 540it

1997 318ti Sport - "Huera" - RIP
1995 318ti Active - RIP
1995 318ti Sport - "Tiny" Sold
1994 325i Sedan - "Jade" - Sold
1991 318ic - "Bert" - Sold
1985 635csi sold
1984 533i "Max" Sold
1984 318i sold

BMWCCA #160411

SUPPORT 318ti.org! CLICK THE LINK ABOVE!
Hosting a forum like this is not free. 318ti.org is one of the best BMW forums on the web because it is member supported, not vendor supported. The cost to become a Supporter is a nominal $10.00... A YEAR! DO IT! NOW!
BlackBMWs is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-20-2016, 01:23 AM   #21
Uber E30
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Nor Cal
Posts: 281
iTrader: (0)
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by BlackBMWs View Post
Diff note, have you cleaned and dry lubed your top mechanism? Makes a difference and relieves stress on all parts.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Planning to give the whole top a once over and readjust the straps, clean/lube everything etc pretty soon. Thats why I got pumped for gears, figured I would just throw new ones in there at the same time.
__________________

-Alex
Uber E30 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-20-2016, 02:37 PM   #22
hotmilk400
Senior Member
 
hotmilk400's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Bethlehem, PA
Posts: 1,106
iTrader: (13)
Default

Yeah, 250 gears might be tough, but I think the market exists.

This site, eBay and word of mouth will be my friends for the next few months.

Thanks for the help so far. Looks like new gears are coming in about 1 month. I will keep you all posted tho.
__________________
Check out our new website! https://soltechsolutionsllc.com/

Green Your Decor with the Aspect! Shop for the Grow Light Used by Interior Designers, Growers & People Like You!

Last edited by hotmilk400; 08-20-2016 at 02:44 PM.
hotmilk400 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-21-2016, 01:55 AM   #23
FunElan
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Dodging potholes in SoCal
Posts: 454
iTrader: (1)
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by BlackBMWs View Post
Diff note, have you cleaned and dry lubed your top mechanism? Makes a difference and relieves stress on all parts.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
What's the best way to clean the channels Rich? I got some teflon based lubricant a while back, is there an amount that is considered "too much" to spray in there? I think I sprayed some in and worked the top a few times, scared it moved it all to the front.

Also, really in for this gear. All the stock ones will disintegrate at some point!
__________________
'96 318ti California Edition- Montreal blue
'68 1600-2-Caribe blue
FunElan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-02-2016, 12:46 AM   #24
BlackBMWs
Senior Member
 
BlackBMWs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 2,451
Vehicles
iTrader: (7)
Default

Hi All! I have to apologize, I think I may be holding up the gear creation as I spaced on sending a motor to Mike. I will do that by tomorrow afternoon. No good reason except very busy as of late.

Thanks Andy for reminding me!

Mike, Please PM me your shipping address. Thanks!

Cheers! Rich
__________________


1998 318ti Sport - "Cali" Schwartz II/Schwartz sport interior, Cali top
1998 318ti Sport - "Max" Schwartz II/Schwartz sport interior, S52
1997 318ti Sport - "Tiny" Schwartz II/Schwartz sport interior
1995 318ti Active - "Blanca" Alpineweib III/Schwartz leather interior

Other Current Bimmers: 2006 530i / 2000 2.3L Z3 / 1997 1.9L Z3 / 1999 540it

1997 318ti Sport - "Huera" - RIP
1995 318ti Active - RIP
1995 318ti Sport - "Tiny" Sold
1994 325i Sedan - "Jade" - Sold
1991 318ic - "Bert" - Sold
1985 635csi sold
1984 533i "Max" Sold
1984 318i sold

BMWCCA #160411

SUPPORT 318ti.org! CLICK THE LINK ABOVE!
Hosting a forum like this is not free. 318ti.org is one of the best BMW forums on the web because it is member supported, not vendor supported. The cost to become a Supporter is a nominal $10.00... A YEAR! DO IT! NOW!
BlackBMWs is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-02-2016, 02:29 AM   #25
hotmilk400
Senior Member
 
hotmilk400's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Bethlehem, PA
Posts: 1,106
iTrader: (13)
Default

Will do,

And no, you are not holding anything up yet. Thanks for reaching out tho
__________________
Check out our new website! https://soltechsolutionsllc.com/

Green Your Decor with the Aspect! Shop for the Grow Light Used by Interior Designers, Growers & People Like You!
hotmilk400 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-04-2016, 09:45 PM   #26
BlackBMWs
Senior Member
 
BlackBMWs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 2,451
Vehicles
iTrader: (7)
Default

Mike, sent today via Priority Mail. Cheers!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
__________________


1998 318ti Sport - "Cali" Schwartz II/Schwartz sport interior, Cali top
1998 318ti Sport - "Max" Schwartz II/Schwartz sport interior, S52
1997 318ti Sport - "Tiny" Schwartz II/Schwartz sport interior
1995 318ti Active - "Blanca" Alpineweib III/Schwartz leather interior

Other Current Bimmers: 2006 530i / 2000 2.3L Z3 / 1997 1.9L Z3 / 1999 540it

1997 318ti Sport - "Huera" - RIP
1995 318ti Active - RIP
1995 318ti Sport - "Tiny" Sold
1994 325i Sedan - "Jade" - Sold
1991 318ic - "Bert" - Sold
1985 635csi sold
1984 533i "Max" Sold
1984 318i sold

BMWCCA #160411

SUPPORT 318ti.org! CLICK THE LINK ABOVE!
Hosting a forum like this is not free. 318ti.org is one of the best BMW forums on the web because it is member supported, not vendor supported. The cost to become a Supporter is a nominal $10.00... A YEAR! DO IT! NOW!
BlackBMWs is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-08-2016, 08:48 AM   #27
Ralphy2011
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Jenison, Michigan
Posts: 6
iTrader: (0)
Default

Just wanted to chime in. I am buying a California top model and my top does not work. I actually don't know if the motor works or not as the previous owner put some rubber sealant around it to keep it from leaking. I've been bouncing between restoring the top and putting in a glass top and I saw someone do and I think it's dope. However if I do need this part I will buy it. Also is there a general cali top thread? I do have questions as to where to get parts and how to replace them.

Thanks!

Sent from my VS415PP using Tapatalk
Ralphy2011 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-15-2016, 05:03 AM   #28
hotmilk400
Senior Member
 
hotmilk400's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Bethlehem, PA
Posts: 1,106
iTrader: (13)
Default

Hey Rich, Got your package. Thanks again.

Everyone,
I am still waiting on the gear sample yet. I only requested a sample size of 4 gears for initial testing so the company is waiting for some downtime before they get me the sample. I am testing them first in the sunroof gear assembly Rich sent me. If all goes well, they get tested in an car. If it passes a real life test, pre-sales go live! If it fails, we change the gear material.

Ralphy2011, I hope you go with restoring it but I am a little bias. haha. If it is honestly glued shut, it might be a nightmare so it depends on how much free time you have coming up. If the gears are bad, you should consider buying a set for future use. Maybe you will want to restore it for spring, or maybe it will help resale value. haha, just follow this thread so you can stay updated
__________________
Check out our new website! https://soltechsolutionsllc.com/

Green Your Decor with the Aspect! Shop for the Grow Light Used by Interior Designers, Growers & People Like You!
hotmilk400 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-15-2016, 05:41 AM   #29
Ralphy2011
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Jenison, Michigan
Posts: 6
iTrader: (0)
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by hotmilk400 View Post
Hey Rich, Got your package. Thanks again.

Everyone,
I am still waiting on the gear sample yet. I only requested a sample size of 4 gears for initial testing so the company is waiting for some downtime before they get me the sample. I am testing them first in the sunroof gear assembly Rich sent me. If all goes well, they get tested in an car. If it passes a real life test, pre-sales go live! If it fails, we change the gear material.

Ralphy2011, I hope you go with restoring it but I am a little bias. haha. If it is honestly glued shut, it might be a nightmare so it depends on how much free time you have coming up. If the gears are bad, you should consider buying a set for future use. Maybe you will want to restore it for spring, or maybe it will help resale value. haha, just follow this thread so you can stay updated
As it turns out restoring the top will be heaps cheaper than getting glass cut to fit. So I will be going the restoration route. I may start a thread so people can follow my "build" (more of a restoration but build I shall call it because build things will happen)

Sent from my VS415PP using Tapatalk
Ralphy2011 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-15-2016, 05:49 AM   #30
hotmilk400
Senior Member
 
hotmilk400's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Bethlehem, PA
Posts: 1,106
iTrader: (13)
Default

I hope you do, that would be very awesome and much needed!
__________________
Check out our new website! https://soltechsolutionsllc.com/

Green Your Decor with the Aspect! Shop for the Grow Light Used by Interior Designers, Growers & People Like You!
hotmilk400 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
California Top motor gear replacement pnosker Exterior 37 08-09-2016 02:34 PM
California Top Swap? Aaron_497 Exterior 3 12-23-2014 07:01 AM
California Top Motor replacement pnosker Exterior 1 12-31-2011 12:28 AM
SAP (Secondary Air Pump) Repairs cali-ti Knowledge Base 5 01-23-2010 11:10 PM
Replacement Parts for California Top? jnthn-utk Exterior 2 08-11-2006 02:27 PM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 12:17 PM.


.
Powered by site supporters
vBulletin Version 3.8.8
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©1999 - 2024, 318ti.org
© vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.2
[page compression: 134.47 k/158.98 k (15.42%)]

318ti.org does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information or products discussed.