[clug] Of topic: does anyone have access to a 3D scanner and printer?

[Rodney Peters]

On 19/03/17 13:20, jhock--- via linux wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I sent the email below to CLUG but it didn't make it. Maybe it was because it was too off topic or maybe because of the attachment. Anyway, I'm resending it in case it was the latter.
>
> Thanks in advance for any helpful reply.
>
> John
>
>
>
> Hi all,
>
> Sorry for off topic but I feel that if anyone in Canberra has access to, or knows of, a 3D scanner and 3D printer, then it's likely to be someone on this list.
>
> I have an automatic, chook hatch on my chicken coup which has been bespoke made for a particular vehicle, automatic, car aerial. At dusk the aerial closes the hatch and at dawn it opens the hatch.
>
> Unfortunately, it got caught on some rough edges (which I have now removed) but in the process of trying to close, it stripped a nylon gear. It was difficult to get the aerial a couple of years ago so I thought it might be quicker, and therefore safer for my chooks from fox attack, for me to get that part 3D printed. Hence my off topic request. Alternatively, I have to try and find the same aerial or rebuild another chook, hatch system to suit a new aerial and that leaves my chooks open to fox attack for longer.
>
> Any information regarding access to a 3D scanner and 3D printer would be greatly appreciated.
>
> John.
>

For a low-tech gear that operates only twice daily, an approximation 
might suffice, if it does not have too many teeth.  I have cut a metal, 
coarse, spur gear for a household device by rough cutting with an angle 
grinder followed by some painstaking filing & grinding with a mini-tool.

You can purchase small offcuts of Engineering grade plastics, for a few 
dollars, from Specialty Fastners in Fyshwick.

Photographing & scaling the image would probably be sufficient, in lieu 
profiling, in this approach.

Rod