I just discovered this - well, I knew in theory but it could get addicting. You just mock up an idea, measure it, draw it and send it off to a 3-D printer! I used Shapeways.com

I made this stem mount for the little cyclo-computers because I like it out in front and not cluttering up the handlebar.



Amazingly it fits perfectly, first try.

I'm also eagerly awaiting my sunglasses mirror clip, that will hopefully work with my wrap-arounds without sticking out like the clip-ons.


Now I need a phone holder, better chain catcher, improve my brake light mounting, better saddle-bag situation ... more ideas than time.

how do you engineer/measure/layout exactly the dimensions required? especially if you are not copying an existing item

That is very cool!

Make a model out of wire, cardboard, ducktape whatever then measure it. You can also draw whatever you're mating it to and use the CAD software to manipulate the objects together, but I need to actually see something and mess with it. Which unfortunately can mean a revision process - my first stab at the mirror clip had several problems and I may need to print out several more to get it right.

See the 3D printed objects thread elsewhere. I've been 3D printing bike accessories at home for a few years now. Home built 3D printers can be made for < $400 and getting cheaper all the time. I will be surprised if there isn't a < $200 and even a < $100 one eventually.

That must be awesome, to just print out a clamp or bracket when you need one.

Could you print out a bike frame?

With the online service I tried your printout with plastic has to fit in a box 65cm by 55cm so you might be able to print one in two pieces. They will print steel within a volume of 76x39x39 so that might work. I wouldn't like the price though.

Very cool! I saw an episode of Jay Leno's Garage where some plenum from an old steam engine had cracked. They removed it, scanned it, erased the crack on screen, "printed it", made a cast mold out of that, cast the piece in metal and done.

Excellent!

My son is doing 3D printing in middle school shop class.

How much did it cost, if you don't mind my asking?

I wouldn't mind owning my own except that I've heard they are kind of fussy, the "prints" take a long time and often fail part way through. Plus the material isn't that cheap. So I've been waiting for improved models.

When I was at CES early in the year, there was a ton of 3D printers. Most of the examples were figurines of some sort which while interesting, weren't a particularly compelling argument for buying one.

Yes, someone actually has printed an entire bike, - wheels, tires, bearings and all.

Ditto that question. I was day-dreaming about what it would take to print a shifter mechanism to attach around brake levers - it would actually be tempting to try something like that with your own printer.