I saw this link on the mailing list I am on for the advancement of N scale vehicles I kid you not, we have a lobby group MakeMyModels.Com They must do these with some type of CAD/Computer application inhouse. Not to bad.
Those are great, and judging by the pictures the quality looks pretty good. I especially like the snow plow.
Their selection is interesting. But the solid white casting makes it hard to see details. And they all look to be modern era items. None that I can use. I need post-WWII to mid-1960's stuff. Boxcab E50
Judging from the process, it wouldn't be hard for them to do any scale of any product they make, just scale it in the computer and print. For that matter, if you had cad drawings, they could produce anything you can come up with. No molds to mess with, no retooling costs. The big question is the quality of the plastic. I've seen prototype parts made by this processes but they are not very strong, just something for an engineer to get a hands on feel for an item and check fitment between items before they invest in a mold or machining process. Being that most of the items are small static models, that should not be a big deal.
the stuff is acrylic plastic. feels durable enough, and the details are very good. you have to use acrylic paints to paint them, as floquil, etc., attack the plastic. where else can you find a pontoon party boat in any scale! and their school bus is really something special. these guys will be very well known before long. dave f.
Is this the laser-based 3D lithography process, where each piece is built up layer by layer? I was wondering when someone might use this process for model trains.
Not that hard at all. I do recommend a opti visor and a good selection of small brushes though. Probably a good dose of patience too!
I will have to gather some courage and give this a shot sometime. I had troubles coloring in the lines in grade school
