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Can 3D printing make a difference?

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fourthree
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Can 3D printing make a difference?

#1 Post by fourthree » Sun Aug 27, 2017 8:46 am

Anything stopping me from 3D printing a whole new chassis for any ThinkPad? There's quite a few models who will benefit from having a much lighter weight, such as the T6x/Tx00 series. I bet someone thought about this before and I'm curious if this is actually feasible. Imagine yourself a T60s!
Dorkstation: T601f
Ultraportable: X61s

axur-delmeria
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Re: Can 3D printing make a difference?

#2 Post by axur-delmeria » Sun Aug 27, 2017 11:42 am

I'm not so sure about that.

1. Most of the T6x's weight comes from the magnesium frame IIRC.
2. It's hard to make the chassis any slimmer due to the vertical USB port on the left, the double-stack USB ports on the right, and the heatsink cooling fins.
Planned Purchase: T480s i5-8350 FHD Touch
Impulse Buy: Thinkpad not named for safety reasons :lol:
RIP: X220 4291-C91 X61 7676-A24 760XD-U9E :cry:

fourthree
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Location: Bat Yam, Israel

Re: Can 3D printing make a difference?

#3 Post by fourthree » Sun Aug 27, 2017 2:24 pm

axur-delmeria wrote:
Sun Aug 27, 2017 11:42 am
I'm not so sure about that.

1. Most of the T6x's weight comes from the magnesium frame IIRC.
2. It's hard to make the chassis any slimmer due to the vertical USB port on the left, the double-stack USB ports on the right, and the heatsink cooling fins.
No need to use the T6x mobo; with 3D printing you can probably fit something else there.. ports gonna be a problem, though.
Dorkstation: T601f
Ultraportable: X61s

axur-delmeria
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Posts: 3810
Joined: Mon May 28, 2012 5:49 am
Location: Metro Manila, Philippines

Re: Can 3D printing make a difference?

#4 Post by axur-delmeria » Sun Aug 27, 2017 8:21 pm

Seems like you need to make a completely new bottom case for that.

The question is whether you can 3D print one that's as sturdy as the T61's internal magnesium frame. :O
You also might have to design a new hinge if you want to make it thinner.
Planned Purchase: T480s i5-8350 FHD Touch
Impulse Buy: Thinkpad not named for safety reasons :lol:
RIP: X220 4291-C91 X61 7676-A24 760XD-U9E :cry:

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