3d printing

HemiAdda2d Jun 26, 2012

  1. HemiAdda2d

    HemiAdda2d Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Has anyone here attempted doing a 3-d print for a new model? Shapeways has quite an N scale following. I wonder how many Z scalers have tried it, and how it came out?
     
  2. animek

    animek TrainBoard Member

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  3. rvn2001

    rvn2001 TrainBoard Member

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    Search Z scale on Shapeways and I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.
     
  4. shamoo737

    shamoo737 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Hemi, this the only one I painted so far.

    [​IMG]
     
  5. HemiAdda2d

    HemiAdda2d Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    That thing looks awfully delicate. Ae those handrails 3d printed or photo-etched?
     
  6. shamoo737

    shamoo737 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Hemi, they are 3d printed. Theres allways a give and take on the design of 3d printing. Do you want it to look realistic, or do you want it strong enough to be handle by kids.
     
  7. traius

    traius TrainBoard Member

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    I've bought a hopper, a few accessories and a roadscraper which all have turned out nicely. I only have one small objection and that is regarding the material's flexibility. I had a 69' gondola car printed in FUD and it's slightly deformed on the long sides. It might look good when it's heavily weathered like a MoW car but now I am a bit disappointed with it.

    Petter
     
  8. zdrada69

    zdrada69 TrainBoard Member

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    I think this is a good thread to show last project. It started with 3D Shapeways design:
    http://www.shapeways.com/product/KG...3-1-220?li=search-results-1&optionId=57446756
    This type (or very similar) of gondolas were used by many European railway companies. I decided to have some of them lettered for PKP (Polish State Railways).
    Al started with cleaning and painting (primer and final paint):
    IMG_3414.JPG
    IMG_3415.JPG
    I noticed that the handrails are very fragile but they are definitely overscaled so finally I will remove all of them and they will be replaced by thin wire handrails.

    IMG_3416.JPG

    IMG_3417.JPG

    Small details are painted in proper colour as well. Wire handrails are much better in my opinion.

    IMG_3439.JPG
     
  9. minzemaennchen

    minzemaennchen TrainBoard Member

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    Shapeways surface quality is still awful, can't help it.
     
  10. Loren

    Loren TrainBoard Supporter

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    Yes, I have to agree, the surface quality of Shapeways leaves an awful lot to be desired. With that said though, if you are willing to pay pretty steep prices for some items, depending upon size and complexity, you can get just about anything you can think up. I've been having some local business structures made by Walt Smith from Southern N Scale and he does great work. I will eventually showcase the finished products once they are painted and installed into my latest modules.
     
  11. zdrada69

    zdrada69 TrainBoard Member

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    Unfortunately that is true with the flat surface printing quality :( It is also true that the size of the photo has something to do. Using my own eyes I can not see so many details ! When you observe the train on the layout it is even better. I like Walt Smith's designes and already have something and still waiting for delivery from Shapeways to have even more including "Transatlantic 3D design project" we were engaged together with Walt.

    Coming back to my gondolas...
    I added bumps on next gondolas using CA gel glue:

    IMG_3781.JPG

    Decals were applied and some weathering done. I also added coal loads (real crushed coal). They have also another function. Shapeways gondolas are very light. The loads are based on small metal nuts to add weight and to improve the performance on rails.

    IMG_3896.JPG

    IMG_3897.JPG

    IMG_3898.JPG
    I thionk those photos illustrates "the quality of 3D printing" problem better. From this perspective it is less obvious in my opinion.

    IMG_3885.JPG

    IMG_3882.JPG
     
    ZFRANK, ddechamp71 and Kez like this.
  12. Heay Equipment Designer

    Heay Equipment Designer TrainBoard Member

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    I have a bunch of models for sale on Shapeways for Z scale. https://www.shapeways.com/shops/micro american rail prototypes

    The thing you have to remember is you cant dictate printing orientation. So 9 times out of 10 you get support material all over the model where you dont want it or step over marks where you dont want them.... It is very possible to get excellent quality prints with FUD process. But not from Shapeways.... So if you buy anything from Shapeways, you have a lot of scraping and sanding and finishing work to do... That will change in the future as they are trying to allow for part orientation dictated by the customer. But from what I understand, there are some big hurtles that must be overcome first...

    By the way, how the heck to you make pics show up on a post instead of just an attachment?... I tried but this new interface makes no sense...
     
  13. zdrada69

    zdrada69 TrainBoard Member

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    Your Caterpillar machines are very nice. In case I will need one for a future scene I will remember your shop.
    To add pictures use "Upload a file" on the bottom right of the page.
     
  14. Heay Equipment Designer

    Heay Equipment Designer TrainBoard Member

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    Ah ha! Thank you! I was pressing the "Camera button" and the "pic button" on top... And I even somehow managed to get the pics to show up in your quote, oops... Thank you for your kind words about my CAT's.

    Thanks,

    -Jon
     
  15. david f.

    david f. TrainBoard Supporter

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    I converted their Class B Nn3 shay into a Z scale model. nice detail, I was impressed.
     
  16. gjslsffan

    gjslsffan Staff Member

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    Can you produce in HO scale as well?
     
  17. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Newer machines and materials can produce a much better surface. I recently attended a "fair" at which one displayer had such equipment. I was quite happy to see that improvement in quality. Perhaps Shapeways is at a point in time where such an upgrade should be forthcoming.
     
  18. Heay Equipment Designer

    Heay Equipment Designer TrainBoard Member

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    Tom,

    In 1/87th scale I could do a much more detailed engine and body, track frames and undercarriage. I could also add to scale hand rails and other fine details. Just scaling the model up would not yield the best model. Plus I would have to hollow some parts out to reduce material. The problem is trying to find the time. Work has sucked up my life for the last year or so. But someday I'd like to do some stuff in N and HO along with a lot more Z scale.

    Thanks,

    Jon
     
  19. John Bartolotto

    John Bartolotto TrainBoard Supporter

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    Where did you get the decals for the gondolas?
     
  20. zdrada69

    zdrada69 TrainBoard Member

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    Sometimes one can get better results from Shapeways. Some cars - Citroen CV2:

    IMG_3436.JPG
     
    ddechamp71 and JMC Scale Models like this.

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