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Just an update, Autosport hasn't sent me the paddles yet and hasn't been responding to my PMs soooo
I just decided to go ahead and buy a pair of paddles, wasnt too bad $200. That being said, once I get them, it shouldnt take me more than a week to get a CAD and get them 3D printed (turns out my neighbor has a 3D printer and told me to send him the CADs and he'll print them for me).
Once and IF that works, I will have the CAD designer, throw out a couple of designs, and then possibly have a vote on which one the majority would be interested in. Once that's decided I will send the CAD file over to my manufacturer in China, who can then produce a limited quantity for me.
That's all I have now, sorry for the massive delay, but was kind of depending on AutoSport for the paddles. Just bought the pair a couple days ago, so waiting on those to come in and I can move forward.
Not dead, just delayed, I was trying to be patient so I wouldn't have to spring the $200, but it's been far too long and I believe this little project has a future so I went ahead and bought them.
Not dead, just delayed, I was trying to be patient so I wouldn't have to spring the $200, but it's been far too long and I believe this little project has a future so I went ahead and bought them.
Just build it in to the final cost. I wouldn't be surprised all said and done that it would add under $10 per participant
1. Got the parts. First problems I am running into.....
-My friend can't make a CAD, the part is very complicated to do that. Took it to my CNC friend, and he CAN do it, but.....going to be insanely expensive as again, its complicated and would just require so much labor. He suggested to cast or forge it which I can do but would make customizing it much more difficult.
That being said, my CAD friend said he can manipulate a CAD easily, but needs an original one of the original part. To do that I need to get a 3D scan of the part. I am asking some companies for quotes and 1 got back to me so far, $750 for the scan and CAD file.
So here's where I can use some help. Anyone have access to an accurate 3D scanner that can spit out an STL CAD file?
Read that and unfortunately, its the 3M stick on design. That's what I am trying to avoid. My goal is to create an actual replacement paddle, where you don't stick anything on.
That being said, I now have a 3D scanning price for $500 so its getting lower, but still quite the investment.
Right now my dad is going to China this week for business and he is visitng our manufacturer and taking the paddle with him to be sure he can even make it. If he can, I will move forward with the 3D scanning and then CAD manipulation.
As you can see, that is a 3D printed, ABS plastic copy of our current paddles! It works too!
So now I have the file and its works, only bad part is the following: I am already about $1200 in this project already, and to move forward with production, I am looking to spend at least another $2500. Again, thats at least. I am going to begin altering the file on Monday to make the larger extended paddles, but these will be direct replacements to our paddles, not a cheesy stick on.
That being said, I kind of need to know where everyone stands on pricing for all this. Factoring everything in, I think each set will be around $100, give or take (hopefully take). At that price I need to know how many are in. Also, and I am not clear about this part, but I believe a carbon kevlar material can be used on some sets (still following up on this) but price will be around $200 give or take. If I am not mistaken its basically a matte carbon fiber.
Again, I kind of need to know how many sets we are looking at, because at $100 a set, I would need to move a decent number of sets and before I spend any more money on this project, I just need a heads up. Otherwise I am buying the most expensive set of paddles ever for myself!
There thankfully isnt too much more cost yet, until its time to produce. Only costs coming up are probably a few 3D prints of whatever designs we come up with.
Once we've settled on one, I can send the files to China and get some real quotes and we can go from there.
Once again, I'm not 100% about the carbon pair and if they understood what I meant and I understood what they meant (language barriers and the willingness of a Chinese manufacturer to say yes to anything cause that). Once we finalize a design I will ask them for sample sets and hopefully present those. Thats a ways away thanks to Chinese New Year break, but hopefully should have those in a month.
On a side note, anyone have a list of what models of MB cars use this style of paddle? They may be interested as well which would keep costs in line.
There thankfully isnt too much more cost yet, until its time to produce. Only costs coming up are probably a few 3D prints of whatever designs we come up with.
Once we've settled on one, I can send the files to China and get some real quotes and we can go from there.
Once again, I'm not 100% about the carbon pair and if they understood what I meant and I understood what they meant (language barriers and the willingness of a Chinese manufacturer to say yes to anything cause that). Once we finalize a design I will ask them for sample sets and hopefully present those. Thats a ways away thanks to Chinese New Year break, but hopefully should have those in a month.
On a side note, anyone have a list of what models of MB cars use this style of paddle? They may be interested as well which would keep costs in line.
Of course I'm in. Should we start a new thread with a poll, so that its easier to keep track of the interested people?
Even at $200 its a good price if you compare to other options available. I'm fine with either carbon or black anodized aluminum with like a red "+" and "-" marks.
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