Purity Posted September 4, 2016 Share Posted September 4, 2016 Hi guys,I have a Vectrex controller with a broken black plastic joystick guide, and was wondering if anyone has 3D printed these before with success or would be willing to try and do one for me? There must be a market for them? The part looks like this:Is it feasible it terms of strength via 3D printing? Thanks Ben Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard H. Posted September 5, 2016 Share Posted September 5, 2016 I'd be willing to model / print one, but I don't fancy taking my controller to pieces. Is the part plastic or metal ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vtk Posted September 5, 2016 Share Posted September 5, 2016 they are plastic, there are a pair of them in each vectrex controller, but note that they are not the same (one is bigger than the other) i could post you a pair of them richard if you like? please note though, that being used, they will have some wear on them, so on the bits which are worn down a little, for your 3d printing would you be able to compensate for that? here is a picture below to show you the wear i mean (i have circled in red where there is some wear to the plastic (it has become thinner, so less strong than when new), due to where the metal joystick shaft pushes against the plastic pieces in order for the joystick to move around 360 degrees) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dripfree Posted September 7, 2016 Share Posted September 7, 2016 I am pretty heavily into 3d printing and I actually just recently did a fairly serious controller repair. So I know these parts and the process of printing well. The cradles are actually under a fair amount of pressure from the springs. Also if you opperate your vectrex with a heavy thumb they will take a beating. I believe they could be printed but it would have to be done in a very specific way. The cradles are very delicate. For a part that thin abs would be too flexible. Pla would have the rigidity needed but would be likely be too brittle for a decent lifespan. Now nylon would work well but it would be a somewhat tricky print. Proper orientation and support would be key for the needed strength and print quality for a proper fit. It would likely take some trial and error. I have an fdm printer so these are the problems and solutions I see. Ideally if there is an atariage member with a Formlabs or some type of stereo lithography printer, they would be the ones who could do the best work on a part like this. I realize this might not offer a ton of help but it is food for thought. I may take a stab at this I have alot of hobbies and it's nice when they overlap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jess Ragan Posted September 7, 2016 Share Posted September 7, 2016 Those damn things break so easily. Arrgh, I say! And arrgh some more! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purity Posted September 7, 2016 Author Share Posted September 7, 2016 Thanks for the replies. I can supply the semi-broken one I have if it helps with printing? Is there anyone that has reproduced these already? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vectrexer Posted September 8, 2016 Share Posted September 8, 2016 There is a person who has already printed his controller. He also sells them. However, I am not aware of any individual parts sales. Nor where or not their components are a direct part replacement fit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vectrexer Posted September 8, 2016 Share Posted September 8, 2016 Found the thread. The printed controlled did not include the joystick components. In that project a different joystick is used. FB Thread link. https://www.facebook.com/groups/104852679725118/permalink/452675061609543/?match=Y29udHJvbGxlcixwcmludGVy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masschamber Posted June 24, 2018 Share Posted June 24, 2018 I need one of these as well, does anyone know if any progress has been made on their production Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vectrex Posted June 26, 2018 Share Posted June 26, 2018 i was pretty sure the files to print these with any 3d printing services are out there. i dunno have a 3d printer so i don't know to much about it. i did take the files to print the Shell for the controller and it cost like $100 from the site i checked... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Starwander Posted June 26, 2018 Share Posted June 26, 2018 Are these the same part used by the Nintendo 64 controllers? I know they look similar and that someone makes those industrially, might be worth checking out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masschamber Posted June 27, 2018 Share Posted June 27, 2018 Are these the same part used by the Nintendo 64 controllers? I know they look similar and that someone makes those industrially, might be worth checking out. similar, but not the same. Though you are right that they might be found in other joysticks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masschamber Posted June 27, 2018 Share Posted June 27, 2018 i was pretty sure the files to print these with any 3d printing services are out there. i dunno have a 3d printer so i don't know to much about it. i did take the files to print the Shell for the controller and it cost like $100 from the site i checked... now this was useful, thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vectrex Posted June 27, 2018 Share Posted June 27, 2018 here it is https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2868602 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masschamber Posted June 28, 2018 Share Posted June 28, 2018 here it is https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2868602 thanks, I already found it, but I appreciate the effort, shame I don't know the demand because, print 1 30 dollars, print 100 250 dollars, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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