DESIGN AND 3D PRINT A RADIO DELETE PLATE WITH SHAPR3D

Jun 16

THE BIG PROBLEM

The original pre-made radio delete plate I downloaded from thingiverse was super bulky and had super thin clips that failed during installation.

BMW e30 radio delete plate STL failed model

Our fix? Design a new radio delete plate from scratch.

The first measurement we needed to correct was the depth of the radio delete plate insert.

The second was the lip where our newly designed clips would be.

bmw e30 measuring radio insert with digital caliper tool

Rather than relying on thin tabs, we built beefier clips—and added more of them into the design.

MODIFY THE DESIGN FOR YOUR RIDE

With the [FREE version of Shapr3d] you can create and modify the pre-made design. Shapr3d is by far one of the simplest CAD software programs out there.

You can run the trial version or the free version. The only downside with the free version is that you can only export low resolution STLs for 3d printing.

But if you go for the Pro version of Shapr3D, use the member affiliate code ALLABOUTTHEBUILD10 for 10% off.

Using the sketch tool in Shapr3d, you can import and modify the size of the free radio delete plate to fit your cars measurements.

Grab the full 3d printing car parts guide plus the pre-made car parts STL bundle that includes the radio delete plate design.

You can add or remove the rectangular inserts based on your application with the extrude tool as well.

PRINT THE PART

Once you have the right size, you can export the design as an STL file and load it into your favorite 3D printing slicer software.

💡 PRO TIP: Use UV-resistant ASA filament, which is perfect for in-car applications thanks to its ability to withstand temperatures up to 220°F.

And if you need help picking out a 3d printer for car parts check out this [3d printer selector for car parts here].

The result? A snug-fitting, durable 3d printed radio delete plate with solid mounting clips.

But there’s one more trick…

You can even 3d print your part in more than one color with an AMS or automatic material system [from Bambu Lab].

Just insert your radio delete plate and svg image into your slicing software, center your parts, reduce the height of the image, and merge the objects.

We have an entire guide on multi-color 3d printing car parts here.

bmw e30 radio delete plate with multi-color

The result? A secure, custom-designed panel that fits like a glove.

Design 3d Printed Car Parts That Match Your Exact Build.

One afternoon. No complex software. Parts that fit your build perfect.

Design fast — Go from blank screen to a finished car part in one afternoon. Not 30 days.

Reverse engineer — Take any scan or STL file found online and modify it to fit your exact build.

Build what doesn't exist — Design delete plates, bezels, mounts and more. Parts made for your car, by you.

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Javier Solis

Hi, I’m Javier. I’ve always loved building things, especially cars. I also have a passion for sharing what I've learned, which is why my wife and I created It’s All About The Build—a place where automotive enthusiasts at any skill level can learn and build together.