88-91 MGM side trim clips

[sly]

I've been talking to a local 3D printing company for the past several months. We are very close to reproducing the 88-91 MGM side trim clip (that nylon bastard that always breaks). I'll be picking up the samples sometime this week. Now I just need to find a way to test fit them and then if anyone wants some, let me know. If we can get 10 folks wanting a full set of clips (10 clips IIRC is a full set), we can probably get a decent price. And if we ask real nice, maybe get a G-file or STIL that we can use on regular filament printers.

UPDATE 2021/04/30:
Cad file finally in hand. I cleaned it up a bit with FreeCad's mesh repair tools. Delete duplicate faces, etc. Doesn't seem to have any issues now. If you want to try to make it filament friendly, have at it. If anyone manages to make a good one, upload it somewhere and I'll get it posted here. This should print no issue on resin printers.

http://www.grandmarq.net/sly/Trim%20Clip%20-%20fixed.stl

Filament printer orientation version

http://www.grandmarq.net/sly/Trim_Clip_-_filament.stl

[sly]

Clips are in hand. They printed them in various orientations. I've discussed slight changes to the model file for better use. Now I need someone with a car that's willing to break a few clips for testing.

[sly]

Here's a pic of a few of them. I have 18 clips currently. We are looking to test this batch and see if any of these clips break. The person that lets me test these on their car will get any needed to replace anything that breaks on their car. Most of these should be fine. Some might break. These were printed in various orientations so they want to know which orientations don't work and optimize the process. They're saying they can probably make them in batches where final prices should be between 3 and 5 dollars per clip. Obviously this is better than not available at all as is the current state of things. We are also looking at open sourcing the model file once it's finalized. That way anyone with a 3D printer could print more. Obviously printing in nylon or better material will be preferred. These are printed with a commercial printer in nylon.

Anyhoo... let me know if anyone wants to test these and can meet up to do so.

[sly]

Elias stepped up. We'll see how this works on Sunday. I'm hoping to break a few of the new clips and find some that are very durable.

[87gtVIC]

They look impressive. Good luck.

[sly]

good luck was had. Most of the clips (even the crappy prints that were overly smoothed) worked pretty good. Only broke one clip and that was probably from misalignment (not hard to do). Managed to mangle (bend) another couple as well so it did show a weakness in the broken one. The others bent, but didn't break, which is what we want to see. The bent ones were bent on the left leg.
Pics... before, after install, after removal, and the broken/bent ones. I left Elias with 5 good clips that were from the half that were, what I considered) the better prints so his trim stays on the car.

[ComputerFreek]

Forgive me for responding to a OLD thread here. But I am BADLY in need of these clips! I'm to the point that I'm going to be double siding tape(ing) these to the car and I don't want to do that! @sly or @87gtVIC or anyone - does anyone have the CAD file form this 3d print or even know who I can contact to get these?

Thanks,
Kyle!

[87gtVIC]

I cannot be of any assistance other than bumping the thread up for Jason to see. Maybe he still has the capability of producing some?

[sly]

I still haven't received the cad file. It's definitely going to be better printed from an epoxy style printer, as filament style will require some trimming. I do have some clips still. How many do you need?

[ComputerFreek]

I still haven't received the cad file. It's definitely going to be better printed from an epoxy style printer, as filament style will require some trimming. I do have some clips still. How many do you need?

The entire car? I just had the car repainted and I didn't think these clips would be such a pain in the butt to get. The paint shop doesn't know where to source them and they were going to use double sided tape.



"30" would be the round number.
The front doors have 7
The rear doors have 6
So I guess 26 with some spares.

I do have access to a 3d printer as well.

[sly]

I only have the main one for the doors. I don't have the rest. This cad file would only be for the door ones. There's 4 or 5 different ones including the bolt on ones on the quarters and fenders if I remember correctly. The door ones are the ones that usually break off though. Installation is on the skinny "springy side" and then push over the top to "clip" in place. I have I think 12 left. I'll double check when I get home. If I get the STL file, I'll post it here. I may try to print one at work on our 3D printer (regular filament style) and see what results I get.

You might even contact ImageNet Consulting in Carrollton, TX and ask for Dylan (if he's still there). They may even be able to print a batch for you. It would be rather spendy for one-off short run, but the engineering has already been done, so there's that.

Dylan Tomblin
3D Specialist
ImageNet Consulting
3223 Commander Dr.
Carrollton, TX 75006
972.267.1264

[ComputerFreek]

I'm just looking for the clips that are pictured above. For the doors.

See photos.

[ComputerFreek]

If you do have the cad file- that would be a great help. I'm sure that company would ship them- but I'm in Michigan right now.

[VicCrownVic]

Where at in MI (rough area, not exact location)? I have some of those clips. I'll have to grab them from the shed tomorrow to know exactly how many I have. At least a dozen, I think.

[ComputerFreek]

Where at in MI (rough area, not exact location)? I have some of those clips. I'll have to grab them from the shed tomorrow to know exactly how many I have. At least a dozen, I think.

At the very least - I need at least 10. Soooo yea. I don't want to empty your stock out! I have the rest, but I'm 99% sure they are going to break. Sure you know what I mean there.


For the forum purpose, lets just say close to Pontiac, mi .

But again - I hate to take your stock from you. I would want to buy them off of you or something.

Kyle