3D Printed 4Runner Center Console Storage
- Thread starter ProfessorP
- Start date
Blu42
Member
Hey guys, just gonna offer an opinion no one asked for. I 3D model and print all day at work and have built my own custom printer. PLA, while super easy to print, does not hold up to heat very well. I wouldn't look at melting temp because that isn't really the issue. Sitting in a hot car will not necessarily melt PLA but it will become soft. It will warp and it will deform. Once it cools it's good to go again. Repeated cycles of this will weaken PLA as well as any material really. My coworker warped a prototype project I had him testing. His one instruction was to not leave it in his car due to it being PLA. I picked it up and it just squished in my hands.
Better options if you guys are looking to use 3D printed parts in your vehicle would be ABS or PETG. Ngen might work but is a very brittle material. PLA+ by ESun is a higher temp version and might hold better but not sure. Higher temp materials are definitely trickier to print with but are much better suited to day to day use. They are other options as well but you'd be looking at a very specific printer that is setup to print at high temps (ie too hot for most printer hotends) with abrasive filaments.
Better options if you guys are looking to use 3D printed parts in your vehicle would be ABS or PETG. Ngen might work but is a very brittle material. PLA+ by ESun is a higher temp version and might hold better but not sure. Higher temp materials are definitely trickier to print with but are much better suited to day to day use. They are other options as well but you'd be looking at a very specific printer that is setup to print at high temps (ie too hot for most printer hotends) with abrasive filaments.
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ProfessorP
New member
I agree that PLA isn’t ideal, but it’s all we have at work and it cost me nothing. The PLA we used hasn’t shown any signs of softening or deforming during the heat of the day. The first trial run was a different PLA that softened in the heat. This particular PLA is much harder and the T4R doesn’t get hot enough to cause a problem.
ProfessorP
New member
Nothing in the design would prevent you from mounting them with the curved end toward the seat. Unfortunately the squared off end will probably dig into your calf. My first design was a square box. I quickly discovered that square corners and legs don’t match.
After the current set Printed, I considered a symmetrical design that is rounded at both ends. Ill probably try that at some point in the future.
ProfessorP
New member
picking mine up from the 3D printer tomorrow.
They look good! Hope the PLA they used holds up to the heat. The first one I printed in lighter gray softened in the T4R.
SpoilsofWar
New member
Really like these....would you sell a pair?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
ProfessorP
New member
Not interested in selling them, but the digital files are available for download. You can have them printed locally if you want.
ProfessorP
New member
I considered kydex as an option but abandoned it in favor of 3D printing in PLA. I believe Kydex softens at a slightly lower temperature than PLA and most of the stuff for holsters and knife sheaths is thinner and easier to deform.
JAXJeremy
New member
Apologies for the flipped images..the image hosting site I use has been schitzo, keeps rotating images 90 degrees for some reason..anyway, picked up my storage cubbies today in gray. Didn't bother using any padding on the back so I may get some scratching on the plastic, but I'm not going to lose any sleep over it..super tight fit, these things aren't going anywhere and are going to be a great addition to the current storage..
Great product [MENTION=368108]ProfessorP[/MENTION]!
Great product [MENTION=368108]ProfessorP[/MENTION]!
GripT4R
Banned
Unless you live somewhere where it gets hot like Arizona where kydex loses its shape....
ProfessorP
New member
Apologies for the flipped images..the image hosting site I use has been schitzo, keeps rotating images 90 degrees for some reason..anyway, picked up my storage cubbies today in gray. Didn't bother using any padding on the back so I may get some scratching on the plastic, but I'm not going to lose any sleep over it..super tight fit, these things aren't going anywhere and are going to be a great addition to the current storage..
Great product [MENTION=368108]ProfessorP[/MENTION]!
Looks GREAT! Hope you enjoy the extra storage space.
mesooohoppy
New member
i see a lot of PLA interior pieces on ebay (not necessarily for 4runners) and its almost always PLA. i doubt most know what they are buying when it comes to low end consumer 3 printed materials.
pla is still a great material for rapid prototyping. we have some solid PLA bumper brackets i drew up in cad and put on my room mates 2wd p/u. the first set broke, but they were not solid. we anticipate these solid ones to brake as well, but we are hoping they will last longer. for science!
have you ever printed abs? If so, how are the fumes? we would like to start printing ABS, but we have a bird aboue 20 feet away from the printer and are concerned about the fumes. we dont really have a good way to vent out the fumes (without building an enclosed box).
Blu42
Member
ABS fumes are definitely an issue. An enclosure box with a vent/ hepa filter would be needed for most people printing in their living spaces. Smells like burning plastic. Most other materials do not produce the fumes ABS does. I have a parrot so I understand what your concerns would be. ABS also needs a warmer print area to prevent warping.
PETG is a solid option. No perceivable odor and I sit next to it at work while printing. My custom printer parts were all printed in PETG for durability and heat resistance. It's stringy though and tends to blob around the nozzle. Check out cosplay tips for printed parts. These people have loads of heat and durability concerns and will offer fantastic assembly, storage, and use tips for printed parts.
PLA is much easier to get a good looking print with at higher print speeds. Most part sellers want their parts to look good for customers. Most people buying 3d parts online obviously don't have printers of their own and are probably not as experienced with filament materials. They will work until they don't but that's most things so your mileage will vary with PLA parts depending on their use and function.
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Nice model! I'm new to printing but I made a couple of these because I absolutely love the idea. I have a 12 4Runner and this may be why I'm having issues but when I installed them they like to crack. Did you have this issue? Could be they made slight changes from my 12 to the 14+ or it could be my prints. Just thought I'd ask. Thanks so much for the model. It's really awesome.
Sounds like the material you are printing with or not the right temperature. I just found this post cause you posted and since I do some 3d printing, I will try and knock this out with PETG and see how it holds up.
I've got some PETG coming this afternoon. I'll probably print one this week in it and see how it does. The drivers side installed really easy. I think I'll try another passenger print and see how it goes.
JsinLegacy
New member
These look really nice. Will have to see if I can find someone to print these for me. More than likely I’ll have to go to Vegas to get it done. Sigh
Mudhorn
New member
Interested to see your results
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