Cheap Design Services?

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BrutalB83

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So...this is random, but is anyone aware of any online CAD services? Maybe like a freelance type thing?

I've got some car audio stuff in the works for my RSX, and I would really like to see if I can find someone to draft up a small plastic piece that I can use to fit in to an empty OEM switch slot allowing for me to mount a USB extension kit like this: https://www.amazon.com/BATIGE-Squar...822146&sr=8-7&keywords=flush+mount+single+usb for an OEM look.

I feel like there has to be stuff out there in the year 2018 where I can post up what I'm looking for and have someone do a quick model which I can then use to 3D print the piece. Any ideas? Let me know.
 
sketchup is free for 30 days, i use a hacked older version to model stuff to print on my makerbot. i could even print and ship something to you if you pay shipping.
 
Nice, thanks!! I will look in to that tonight. Here's basically what I'm trying to do...

I bought this:
s-l1600.jpg


This is the center console piece that connects the shifter console area to the upper console/dashboard area, sits right underneath the radio. I bought this one specifically because it's from a Canadian RSX, which has heated seats. The US market RSX never had this option (as far as I'm aware), so the piece that's in my car looks like this, but without the panel with the heater buttons on the right side. My idea is to remove the seat heater switch, and then fab a custom plastic piece that will snap in to that slot like OEM and that has a perfect sized rectangular cutout to install that USB extension kit in to.

I was going to just use this something like this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078LMBQM...9cc1-40f6546f5dd7&ie=UTF8&qid=1540822146&sr=3 but if I can make this work, I can keep that factory power outlet and have a unique, customized feature.
 
I am pretty sure any of the autodesk software comes with a 30 day trial. We use Inventor and Fusion360 to generate the .stl codes for our Makerbots.
 
One of my best friends has a degree in engineering, uses CAD software for his day job and has a 3d printer. I'll see if he's interested in a side job.
 
Alright, so I received the part. I'll snap some pics of the switch later. I guess I have two options...make a piece that snaps in place of where the switch was, OR, recreate that whole area that surrounds the switch, as that is easily removable from the rest of the panel as well. I'm thinking that just recreating the smaller part where the switch is is still the best option.

Question though (and forgive me ignorance), how is stuff like this normally done? Like, is there a way to take a scan of the original part to get the exact dimensions? Or should I just measure the part and start designing?

EDIT: Actually, I should probably go ahead and order that USB kit so I can figure out what size rectangle needs to be cut.
 
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Alright, so I received the part. I'll snap some pics of the switch later. I guess I have two options...make a piece that snaps in place of where the switch was, OR, recreate that whole area that surrounds the switch, as that is easily removable from the rest of the panel as well. I'm thinking that just recreating the smaller part where the switch is is still the best option.

Question though (and forgive me ignorance), how is stuff like this normally done? Like, is there a way to take a scan of the original part to get the exact dimensions? Or should I just measure the part and start designing?

EDIT: Actually, I should probably go ahead and order that USB kit so I can figure out what size rectangle needs to be cut.

If this project was in my lab we could either scan the original (sometimes works) or more likely I would have my student quickly draw it up in Inventor/Fusion360 and print it as they would get better results.
 
How something is duplicated depends on any number of factors; fit, form and function. It can be as simple as duplication by a mold, or complex reverse engineering on a CMM or white light scanner. It's not a cut and dry answer, you'll usually need to know how the part functions, and where the datums are.
 
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