Calibre CCS wheel caps - 3D printed adapters

N

noiseboy72

Member
The one thing missing from the car was wheel caps. As it has non-standard wheel with 60mm centres, the normal after market caps don't fit.

However... I fired the 3D printer up and made some 60mm caps. It was then easy to re-fit the logos over the top :)

I am quite happy with the result. They feel well attached look good to my eyes. Time will tell how long they last, but for an investment of less than £10, it's not a lot to lose!

Wheel Cap.jpgCap back.jpgCap2.jpg
 
noiseboy72 said:
However... I fired the 3D printer up and made some 60mm caps. It was then easy to re-fit the logos over the top :)
Click to expand...

Glad to see another 3D Print enthusiast here :) there's a couple now, good work!

What did you print that in out of curiosity? PLA/ABS/PETG/Nylon?
 
Thanks!
Printed these from a high grade engineering ABS. I am printing some cup holders, but thinking I'll use PETG for these as it's got a bit more flex.

What have you printed so far? Someone was asking about cup holder parts, which I can print, but would need either the design or the part to copy.
 
noiseboy72 said:
Thanks!
Printed these from a high grade engineering ABS. I am printing some cup holders, but thinking I'll use PETG for these as it's got a bit more flex.

What have you printed so far? Someone was asking about cup holder parts, which I can print, but would need either the design or the part to copy.
Click to expand...

All sorts!! lol - but for the Z4, double din stereo fascia (there's a thread on this forum I started), some door lock / boot lock covers, and the cover caps used in trims like centre console.

I only have an Original Wanhao i3, a CTC Dual & a Cube Pro 3rd Gen... but I'll probably be selling them all soon and getting something newer/bigger like the Creality CR-10 500x500x500
 
I did love a 3D printer.

I’ve read about ones that will be able to print in metal. I guess it’ll be a while before they will be available at enthusiast level.

Love the caps. Great work :thumbsup:
 
It's not really anywhere as strong as metal, it just has a metallic sheen.

There is a printer that prints metal particles suspended in plastic, but you also need a furnace to melt out the plastic and the metal then also melts together to form the part. This shrinks the final piece by about 20%. At about £90k for the setup it's not for home use!!

Carbon fibre particle embedded material is easier to print at home and just needs a stainless steel nozzle and slightly higher temperatures. This gives a similar strength to aluminium. A carbon printer that embeds strands of carbon or Kevlar is about £11k, so you still need deep pockets!! Have a look at Markforged for more details.
 
I should add my home printer is a heavily modified CTC dual with full enclosure and uprated extruders, but my job is to research future innovation in manufacturing and supply chain. This gives me access to places like the Materials Technology Centre in Coventry, where they have metal printing,, carbon fibre, concrete and every conceivable type of plastic! I've just had printed the chassis and ducts for a new type of indoor drone - designed for flying around a warehouse. This is printed in carbon and so far is proving indestructible!!
 
I can, but I’ve found the clips are weak and need a metal spring clip to stop them snapping.

There’s a seller on eBay who does some that almost fit Caliber wheels and just need sanding slightly to fit. What wheels do you have?
 
noiseboy72 said:
I can, but I’ve found the clips are weak and need a metal spring clip to stop them snapping.

There’s a seller on eBay who does some that almost fit Caliber wheels and just need sanding slightly to fit. What wheels do you have?
Click to expand...

Have you got a link to the seller? :thumbsup:
Rob
 
I have AVA MEMPHIS wheels (19”)

Ideally I want some red/white badges all over my car but can’t find any 60mm red/white wheel caps :(
 

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noiseboy72 said:
I can, but I’ve found the clips are weak and need a metal spring clip to stop them snapping.
Click to expand...

Have you tried using PETG?

I also have a modded CTC Dual :) ... Plus a Wanhao i3 v1 and a Cube 3rd Gen
 
Yep, tried PETG and it has the same issue in the clips breaking. Doesn't happen with a spring wire fitted, as it stops the clips rebounding once fitted.

Link here for 60mm centre cap sellers: https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_nkw=bmw+center+cap+60mm&clk_rvr_id=1559371532866&gclid=CjwKCAjw9e3YBRBcEiwAzjCJuqzIhnh-ZcDtZ1325y1-e2sUQ35VEP1D1xG55sAAu85G9UWcxmnh8BoCm9YQAvD_BwE&geo_id=32251&MT_ID=11&cmpgn=284006193&crlp=182655516717_7010&keyword=bmw+center+cap+60mm&rlsatarget=aud-295856144804%3Akwd-149902278033&abcId=473836&treatment_id=7&poi=&adpos=1t2&device=c&crdt=0&ul_noapp=true
 
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