Clear indicators MK2

[christhemann]

As most people know, they are pretty darn expensive and only 1 company sell them still in Germany.

I've been doing a bit of nosing around, and spoken to some people at my company who are engineers, wondering if
we would have any chance of getting some made up ourselves.
I know a guy who does industrial prototyping, which might help, but would need the get a 3D CAD model drawn up first.

This would then need to be turned into a proper die/mould and then sent to an injection moulders (there's plenty around).
Has anyone ever tried going down this line before? Also is there anyone who's a CAD expert?

Just weighing up the possibility, if costs work out high then obviously not worth the effort.
Also depends how many people would buy them.

Cheers,
Chris

[Cookie-101]

Sounds like a good idea if the costs arent too high,

The best way to get a CAD model drawn up would be to reverse engineer a set of existing lights. I have access to a 3D scanner which can be used to create a point cloud model. This can then be exporterd into a program like Pro Engineer where the model can be made up using the 3D scan as a sort of template.
I have just finished a peice of reverse engineering coursework for my MSc In Automotive Engineering where i scanned and revered engineered a claw hammer. A set of indicators can't be that much harder, can it?

[Funky Diver]

I'd imagine, and a stab in the dark here, that the cost of this route would be more than the cost of buying them from Germany.

What about seeing about the rear light set and doing a bit of "Lexus" light stylee on them buggers.

You may find more uptake, especially if they standardised (ie mirrored lights... fog and reverse on both sides) to sell to both Euro and Stateside. Just a thought

[wiredsubzero]

Might be a idea to try get the die from VW for the amber ones and use it and inject them with clear plastic instead might be too expensive though

[vwjohn81]

I would imagine if your looking at setting up as abit of a sideline business, it would be worth the expense and trouble...... but for just a set for yourself probably not.

But I do know they are very sort after with people wanting as much as £90 for a set if not more and some people have even taken to stripping the amber glass off the original indicator and cutting some perspex and shaping it with a heat-gun to the dimensions of the indicator - there is even a guide on here for that - I must admit they do look good but at the end of the day its perspex not glass and if your wanting a nice classy look then that could be the difference between a good finish on the car and a cheap looking one?

Anyways - would like to hear how you get on.

[christhemann]

Cheers for comments.

Interesting mentioning about getting the tool from VW...
It's Hella that make all the lights isn't it? Apparently they have a Uk branch, might give them a try.

[wiredsubzero]

we could cut the amber plastic off carefully and make a plaster mould and put clear plastic in the the mould and then glue it onto the old indicator shell ? wouldent look as good but its a idea

[Junglist]

yeah that can't be hard. Not plaster though, wax. Plaster won't give a shiny enough finish to avoid unpleasant and unwanted frosting. Maybe wax isn't the answer either but there must be a better material than plaster for the mould.

[wiredsubzero]

Maybe a plaster mould with a wax release agent to give a shiny finish ? It could be quite hard because of the shape of the lens to get a mould but might be worth a try

[Funky Diver]

there must be a better material than plaster for the mould.

Yup... GelCoat. Make the buck with GRP reinforced gelcoat and you're laughing, plus it's reusable MANY times.