'There must be another solution': 3D printer fixes Yellowknife woman's broken car part

A Yellowknife woman with a broken car part is getting help from a robotics club in Inuvik, rather than her local mechanic.

Jan Fullerton owns a 1992 Toyota Celica GT-Four, a limited edition car created by Toyota to compete in the World Rally Championships.

Since only limited numbers of the car were made, getting parts is increasingly difficult, and when Fullerton realized she needed a new clip for the end of her car's wiper arm, she learned the clip is no longer manufactured.

"I found the part I needed on line, but it seemed like it was very expensive, and I thought 'there must be another solution,'" said Fullerton.

That's when Fullerton, who is the Executive Director with Skills Canada N.W.T., remembered a project her organization had funded.

"We funded some 3D printers up in Inuvik," for East Three Secondary School's robotics club.

Fullerton then phoned Matthew Dares with the Aurora Research Institute, who runs the club, to find out whether the part she needed was something the club might be willing to print.

Dares said he was more than happy to help.

"I can tell you, it's a relief anytime we find some practical use for the 3D printer," he said.

According to Dares, the printer is by far the most popular piece of technology the club has access to, but it can be a challenge to use it in a meaningful way.

"To put something in use in the real world is a trickier application because you have to deal with design tolerances, and even just the shrinkage of the material after it prints," he said."Jan's project actually made an excellent demonstration of that for the club."

After printing five different parts, the club finally got everything right, and Fullerton couldn't be happier.

However, she was clear that she doesn't consider the club to be her own personal parts shop.

"One of the things I was concerned about in doing this is that it would look like I was personally benefiting," Fullerton said, explaining that she decided to make a donation tothe club, which Dares said was much appreciated.

As for Fullerton's car, it's off the road again after another part broke down.

"I don't think is something we can 3D print, unless Matthew tells me they can do clutch slave cylinders, so it's at the mechanic's right now while we get that one in," she joked.