3D Print Grommets

I

Ihatetennis

Hall of Fame
Alright guys, we all know how hard it can be to find grommets for some older rackets, does anyone have the ability to scan and get the specs for certain models?

If people can 3D print working AR uppers, then I'm sure we could find a way to 3D print grommets, especially since some grommets can cost up to $50 to buy for older frames.

also, we could create cap grommets for non cap-able racekts and in multiple colors.
 
Grommets need to be durable.

The ones that strings pull at an angle can tear very easily.

So it would depend on the type of material the printer uses.
 
This idea was discussed back in 2012. Use Google and this text:
3D printer grommets site:tt.tennis-warehouse.com
So far, no one has successfully reported that they have the capability. I still think the biggest issue is the CAD/CAM files as well as the ability to legally reproduce the grommets.
 
esgee48 said:
This idea was discussed back in 2012. Use Google and this text:
3D printer grommets site:tt.tennis-warehouse.com
So far, no one has successfully reported that they have the capability. I still think the biggest issue is the CAD/CAM files as well as the ability to legally reproduce the grommets.
Click to expand...
I'm gonna try this, Plus 3d printing has come a long way since 2012

My highschool has a 3d printer
 
esgee48 said:
This idea was discussed back in 2012. Use Google and this text:
3D printer grommets site:tt.tennis-warehouse.com
So far, no one has successfully reported that they have the capability. I still think the biggest issue is the CAD/CAM files as well as the ability to legally reproduce the grommets.
Click to expand...
http://3dprintingindustry.com/2014/12/02/3d-printing-personalizing-tennis/

Head has used it

There has been a 3d printed racket


IF enough people pirate the grommets and make 3d grommets it would either force head to sell the files to consumers or for them to bring back production

Supply and deman, and when there is no supply and a lot of demand and the consumers find a way to satisfy it, the original supplier has to give in and either recreate it or allow for consumers to do so in a legal manner
 
I use 3d printers frequently at uni. Nowadays they can print more materials and some are surprisingly sturdy, even the cheap ABS printed parts are pretty stable. You can throw them on the ground and they usually survive if you don't hit some small details at an angle. They can even print resins like epoxy, so I don't think stability is the problem. I can imagine that making the files for rackets can be quite time consuming, though. If you make a proper model I do not think there is any problem with printing them. Maybe they won't last years, but one could just print new ones for a relatively cheap price. If you wanna try it I would recommend just trying ABS first, cause it is cheap and I think it will already do the job.
 
Nevarin said:
I use 3d printers frequently at uni. Nowadays they can print more materials and some are surprisingly sturdy, even the cheap ABS printed parts are pretty stable. You can throw them on the ground and they usually survive if you don't hit some small details at an angle. They can even print resins like epoxy, so I don't think stability is the problem. I can imagine that making the files for rackets can be quite time consuming, though. If you make a proper model I do not think there is any problem with printing them. Maybe they won't last years, but one could just print new ones for a relatively cheap price. If you wanna try it I would recommend just trying ABS first, cause it is cheap and I think it will already do the job.
Click to expand...
I think that this would be cool too, because maybe you could customize your racket with string pattern and blocked grommets and color!
 
Nevarin said:
I use 3d printers frequently at uni. Nowadays they can print more materials and some are surprisingly sturdy, even the cheap ABS printed parts are pretty stable. You can throw them on the ground and they usually survive if you don't hit some small details at an angle. They can even print resins like epoxy, so I don't think stability is the problem. I can imagine that making the files for rackets can be quite time consuming, though. If you make a proper model I do not think there is any problem with printing them. Maybe they won't last years, but one could just print new ones for a relatively cheap price. If you wanna try it I would recommend just trying ABS first, cause it is cheap and I think it will already do the job.
Click to expand...

A 3D CAD model would be pretty simple but you would have to be meticulous in taking proper measurements. The main challenge with 3D printed grommets is making them durable enough to survive being installed. Replacing them is always a pain as they take a lot of stretching and manipulation. You sometimes end up having to heat them to get them in place. You would probably want to use HDPE as ABS isn't going to be as flexible.
 
That's why I said time consuming and not hard ;-)
True, HDPE would be better for flexibility. There are tons of materials available though, I am sure finding the correct material is not the main problem, but taking correct measurements and modelling is, especially wall thickness could be a problem (installation?) Some grommets can be pretty tight and printing many of them will lead to quite a few imperfections with cheaper consumer 3d printers and you may need to manually trim some material off or need to play around with the settings.
 
Guess I got interested enough. Will ask at Uni if I can 3d scan a part of my racket and then try to print a part of the grommets. Could take some time, cause I don't have alot of free time right now, but I will report if I manage to find some time for it.
 
Search. Somebody trialed the concept and said the existing plastic materials were too brittle and heavy. Also said the process took a long time for each grommet strip. His conclusion was Not Economical compared to injection moulding. If you have the money, just pay for a custom built set.
 
If the grommet strip is for a racquet that is at least 20 years old, there should be no patent infringement worries provided you create one that is like the original. If you try and so a take one a modern one that fits a classic racquet, then that is a different story.
 
esgee48 said:
Search. Somebody trialed the concept and said the existing plastic materials were too brittle and heavy. Also said the process took a long time for each grommet strip. His conclusion was Not Economical compared to injection moulding. If you have the money, just pay for a custom built set.
Click to expand...
You can get custom built grommets? Where?
 
From the Menace in Duluth, GA that is really proud of his inventory. He charges a buck a hole for their custom grommet system. Plus you have to send them the racquet and have them string it for $25 plus the cost of the string. Last time I checked Yamaha Secret 04 were $130. :eek:
 
esgee48 said:
Search. Somebody trialed the concept and said the existing plastic materials were too brittle and heavy. Also said the process took a long time for each grommet strip. His conclusion was Not Economical compared to injection moulding. If you have the money, just pay for a custom built set.
Click to expand...

where is this custom built set thing? I am curious.
 
DTA Dropshots said:
From the Menace in Duluth, GA that is really proud of his inventory. He charges a buck a hole for their custom grommet system. Plus you have to send them the racquet and have them string it for $25 plus the cost of the string. Last time I checked Yamaha Secret 04 were $130. :eek:
Click to expand...

I saw that too.. yet a pristine Secret 04 fetches $100 tops.. you can ask whatever you want I suppose.
 
DTA Dropshots said:
If the grommet strip is for a racquet that is at least 20 years old, there should be no patent infringement worries provided you create one that is like the original. If you try and so a take one a modern one that fits a classic racquet, then that is a different story.
Click to expand...
Yes, this; if we could buy grommet sets from the manufacturers via TW or wherever, we would; I can't find a set locally for my Yonex RDX500 MP (and I'm sure I could do better anyway, nearly ALL the throat grommets have snapped off and are rattling like beads!)

I'm sure that with all the materials like nylon available now that something would work; it would be great if we could use a forum like this to advertise if we could get the scans/drawings done for individual models so we could just download and send to a print shop;
 
Quality control will be difficult in finding the correct material to do this. I hope I'm wrong.

That said, as a guy that pretty much only use classic frames, TW's efforts to keep their customers happy is off the charts. Their attention to stocking grommets new and old is greatly underappreciated, and their response time to questions regarding the availability is almost immediate. They even contact their vendors/suppliers to help us out (check availability, cross reference compatibility, etc.).
 
Interesting question regarding right to repair legislation and US Supreme Court cases. replacing worn out parts that the manufacturer refuses to sell would, IMHO, fall pretty squarely under this.
especially if the racket manufacturer could be shown to have knowledge (and this would be so obvious that a Judge would probably take judicial notice of this without the need for evidence)
that the part was in fact designed to wear out and need replacement.
 
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