Dodge Neon SRT-4 Visor Clip

The timelapse below is one of my favorite videos that has come off of the onboard camera from my BambuLabs P1S, for a couple of reasons:

• Using the BambuLabs AMS (automated material system) to combine not just multiple colors, but multiple materials, can allow for improved support surfaces and removal (in this case, purple PLA is supporting the gray PETG of the part)

• Thanks to the small size of the print and the proximity to the light and the camera with the contrasting colors, it is easy to see the detail in every aspect of the print, from the support material, to the infill, to the clean interior and exterior surfaces

This customer drives a 2005 Dodge Neon SRT-4. A common issue with these cars and many others from the same time period is that old plastic pieces often get brittle and break. Even the most suited plastics for UV exposure and heat fluctuations will break down with repeated use and exposure over the course of years. For many of these parts, 3D printing can be an optimal way to recreate and often improve original designs.

It’s uncommon, but the customer provided the model for this project. He was able to modify a design that improved strength in certain areas prone to failure. The piece was printed from a material called PETG, which holds up well in outdoor settings. It flexes before failing and isn’t particularly brittle, which is ideal for a part that requires consistent elastic deformation during use (a certain amount of bending is required for function). PETG is also nontoxic and resistant to the levels of heat commonly seen inside a vehicle.