Printed 931 Volume Knob

[=ml=]

Day-um, those D-stem Mk III 931 volume/balance knobs are scarce, and I need two.

Not being easily deterred, I decided to print one on my 3D Printer.

Here's my first stab at it, and although a little rough, the knob fits and functions perfectly.

I'll re-print it at a finer resolution, sand and finish with chrome paint. Hopefully it'll match well enough.
I'll keep you guys posted on the progress...

Go!

=m i l e s=

 

[baddboybill]

Very cool I remember a member from s2g had done this for an M90 knobs and they came out pretty cool Keep us informed as they look real good

 

[Superduper]

Details please..... make, model, software, time, cost, etc. etc.

 

[=ml=]

Details please..... make, model, software, time, cost, etc. etc.

Of what, the printer, the knob, the software‽ I'll assume all of the above

* Printer: UP! 3D printer
* Software: OpenSCAD
* Modeling time: 4 hours
* Printing and cleanup time: 45 minutes
* Material: White ABS

I'll have to get back to you on cost; all the metrics are on the PC at home.

Go!

=ml=

 

[Superduper]

So you had to create the knob first using cad software? There is no way to "scan" or automatically import an item, right?

 

[baddboybill]

Details please..... make, model, software, time, cost, etc. etc.

Of what, the printer, the knob, the software‽ I'll assume all of the above

* Printer: UP! 3D printer
* Software: OpenSCAD
* Modeling time: 4 hours
* Printing and cleanup time: 45 minutes
* Material: White ABS

I'll have to get back to you on cost; all the metrics are on the PC at home.

Go!

=ml=

Very interesting

 

[=ml=]

So you had to create the knob first using cad software? There is no way to "scan" or automatically import an item, right?

The 3D Xerox machine is still a ways off, but services like hypr3D are trying to make it a reality. So yeah, until then, I had to kick it old school: calipers and gray matter.

Here's a pic of two unfinished printed knobs on the 931:

BTW, the cost is about $7 as you see it, i.e., unfinished.

Go!

=ml=

 

[Jboogie2384]

That's friggin HOT!!! Can you make whole radio cases? I could use an LPC-81 face as mine fell from at least 8ft. from a shelf. If not I think the Lasonic LPC-81 has the knobs your looking for. If I part it out I'll let you know. It's got 4 knobs in MINT condition.

 

[=ml=]

That's friggin HOT!!! Can you make whole radio cases? I could use an LPC-81 face as mine fell from at least 8ft. from a shelf. If not I think the Lasonic LPC-81 has the knobs your looking for. If I part it out I'll let you know. It's got 4 knobs in MINT condition.

Thanks!

Can't make whole cases, but if you have the CAD/STL files there are a couple services that can: Shapeways and Ponoko.
My 931 is a daily driver, so my ghetto knobs fill the bill. If you part out your 81, put me at the front of the line for those knobs; workin' is nice, but OEM workin' is nicer still!
On the DIY tip, might make an interesting project to CAD up various bbox parts for the community: BBOS - BoomBox Open Source.

Go!

=ml=

 

[lazanas]

Wow that is really cool

 

[hemiguy2006]

Man that is really kool that you could do that!!!!
I need to know more about this moulding or printing process.

Why not get the other style of knob and epoxy a d stem onto it.
I had to do this for my 975 and it worked out great.
Find any old d stem knob and cut the stem off of it, or in your case make your own.
Then take your standard 931 knob that are readily available at lasonicstore.com
http://www.lasonicstore.com/p-128-trc-931-knob.aspx
and shave all the ridges off the inside of the stem.
Epoxy the d stem in place at the back of the knob observing knob position before doing so.
also make sure the epoxy doesnt get into the center of the stem
Let it dry and cure fully then trim stem to fit the knob flush.

 

[Lasonic TRC-920]

That's friggin HOT!!! Can you make whole radio cases? I could use an LPC-81 face as mine fell from at least 8ft. from a shelf. If not I think the Lasonic LPC-81 has the knobs your looking for. If I part it out I'll let you know. It's got 4 knobs in MINT condition.

Can you print the inner's too! I have a laundry list of radio's I want printed!

NICE WORK!

 

[=ml=]

Man that is really kool that you could do that!!!!
I need to know more about this moulding or printing process.

Why not get the other style of knob and epoxy a d stem onto it.
I had to do this for my 975 and it worked out great.
Find any old d stem knob and cut the stem off of it, or in your case make your own.
Then take your standard 931 knob that are readily available at lasonicstore.com
http://www.lasonicstore.com/p-128-trc-931-knob.aspx
and shave all the ridges off the inside of the stem.
Epoxy the d stem in place at the back of the knob observing knob position before doing so.
also make sure the epoxy doesnt get into the center of the stem
Let it dry and cure fully then trim stem to fit the knob flush.

That's brilliant!

I can print the stem and attach it to a mod'd spline knob as you describe, or I can design and print an adapter that converts a spline knob into a D-stem knob (dunno if this is possible, only one way to find out...).
Either way, as you pointed out, I can use the knobs from lasonic.com.
w00t!

Go!

=ml=

 

[=ml=]

That's friggin HOT!!! Can you make whole radio cases? I could use an LPC-81 face as mine fell from at least 8ft. from a shelf. If not I think the Lasonic LPC-81 has the knobs your looking for. If I part it out I'll let you know. It's got 4 knobs in MINT condition.

Can you print the inner's too! I have a laundry list of radio's I want printed!

NICE WORK!

Thanks!

3D printing requires the files to print. This is one of the biggest hurdles to 3D printing becoming mainstream. For boomboxes, if the 3D files exist, then I can print them up to 140mm x140mm x 140mm; if larger, there are services that can print an entire chair!

If the files don't exist - which is likely in most cases - then the first step is to create them. This requires either an expensive laser scanner, or old school calipers and gray matter. Unlike Jay Leno, I don't have the former, so I use the latter.

FWIW, here's a timeline I created that highlights the 2010 milestones in 3D printing.

Go!

=ml=

 

[=ml=]

Man that is really kool that you could do that!!!!
I need to know more about this moulding or printing process.

Why not get the other style of knob and epoxy a d stem onto it.
I had to do this for my 975 and it worked out great.
Find any old d stem knob and cut the stem off of it, or in your case make your own.
Then take your standard 931 knob that are readily available at lasonicstore.com
http://www.lasonicstore.com/p-128-trc-931-knob.aspx
and shave all the ridges off the inside of the stem.
Epoxy the d stem in place at the back of the knob observing knob position before doing so.
also make sure the epoxy doesnt get into the center of the stem
Let it dry and cure fully then trim stem to fit the knob flush.

That's brilliant!

I can print the stem and attach it to a mod'd spline knob as you describe, or I can design and print an adapter that converts a spline knob into a D-stem knob (dunno if this is possible, only one way to find out...).
Either way, as you pointed out, I can use the knobs from lasonic.com.
w00t!

It looks like a printable adapter is possible. I've got an almost working prototype. Just a couple more iterations and it should be rockin'.

Go!

=ml=

 

[hemiguy2006]

Awesome Keep us posted.
LMK if you want to see a pic of my hack job

 

[Superduper]

Can you reprint my wife from 25 years ago if I send you a picture?

 

[=ml=]

Can you reprint my wife from 25 years ago if I send you a picture?

If I could I'd be richer than Bill Gates!

Go!

=ml=

 

[Fatdog]

OMG! I just now saw this thread. I'm simply amazed, Miles. It looks like I need to learn CAD now.

 

[Gluecifer]

This is so AWESOME!!! Amazing!

What an age we live in...

Looking forward to seeing more on this =ml=!!!



Rock On.