VMC bezel reproduction and 1% shrinkage

[Ezra]

       The guys and gals that make our reproduction soda machine parts are very knowledgeable & they are certainly aware of the demand for bezels.
        I'm sure they have been studying this for a long long time.

Glen

thank you for your point of view and encouraging words based on years of experience. You often remind me of a cross between Vince Lombardi and Alice Cooper

[FRESNO MAN]

Would a 3-D printer do the job? 

[mygoose101]

That is true though. Both Funtronics and Soda Jerk Works make outstanding reproduction parts and a lot of them. I have been buying from both for years. They seem to carry almost everything now, but the VMC bezel. That tells me it is a very tough item to reproduce or can't be done to keep it affordable for consumers.

[SIGNGUY]

Would a 3-D printer do the job? 

Don't think you could chrome the 3D printer item once made.. as I believe it's made from some sort of plastic... but if you could reverse it and make a mold perhaps... way out of my league, just thoughts.

[Kilroy]

current 3D printers use plastic.

[sodahunter]

Could the foundry mold be made 1% bigger to allow for the shrinkage?  I understand that the fit and alignment of the repop may be an issue when mounting it to an original door....but I'm thinking it might be difficult to tell the difference walking by a machine....be great if you could get a proto-type made before going into production.

[Jim]

I think the 3-D printer to create an exact replica in plastic then an accurate mold could be created.
This is unfamiliar territory for me and cost could still be an obstacle...

[Creighton]

Problem with the 3-D printers, unless you have access to a top of the line model they will not have the detail required here. Doubt a usable mold could be made from even the expensive 3-D output.

Looking at a large door Vendo unit, appears it was injection molded using pot metal in at least 12 fill points. Any luck pic attached. Ground off posts are the fill points. Really big money to set up this type of mold process.

On the quite a bit of money side :-) If your buddy can create a file/scan that is readable by a CNC machine that could be done in aluminum. Those would polish to near chrome finish just fine. You would still need to drill and tap the mounting holes...

Out of the loop these days, what does a VMC bezel bring?
Thanks!
Creighton

[GreenMo]

I've seen them bring $850

[Slider-Bob]

I know somebody who paid $750 for a VMC bezel and it still needed to be replated. Big money!