Front engine isolators

[mike lowary]

my son has been working on one, 3D printed the housing and looking at different rubbers to fit the job and hold up over time while making it possible to replace at home when needed. He's a machinist...

3D printed housing? As a machinist... I’m interested to see the results.

[Cooter]

Same here. I wouldn't trust PLA to do the job, even solid. But 3-D printing metal is here!

IMO, it seems easier to machine that part though.

[thrstrmech]

yes, PLA for mock up before he actually machines it. my former company 3D prints metal turbine engine compressor blades, probably other companies doing the same as the tech has evolved.

[mike lowary]

yes, PLA for mock up before he actually machines it. my former company 3D prints metal turbine engine compressor blades, probably other companies doing the same as the tech has evolved.

What grade aluminum will the housing be machined from?

[thrstrmech]

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6061 or 7075, still sourcing the rubber and making changes to the design as the drawings from the guy who made them I believe left them open...this is what was printed from the original design so far

[mike lowary]

Wouldn’t polyurethane be a better material for the bushing? Nice job so far.

[outthere]

If you can find the right material. Is poly. much stiffer than rubber?

[mike lowary]

If you can find the right material. Is poly. much stiffer than rubber?

There are many different options for poly as far as stiffness. Poly lasts longer. You can buy whatever stiffness you want

[mike lowary]

Anyone test the shore durometer of the factory bushing? That’s where I would start.

[Cooter]

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Ya thats the TPEHAK 'polyurethane rods' deal. He was on to something but never got the durometer right and gave up.
6061 would be plenty strong, but I know a guy with a pile of titanium