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Accessible 3-D printing
A good general overview. Shapeways FUD is excellent but VERY expensive. Where it shines is for making parts to use as masters for casting (which is what I am using it for). WSF is certainly cheaper but the detail is nowhere near as crisp as FUD and it is porous. You need to seal it if you want to paint it or use as a master for RTV silicone molds. If you go to the Shapeways blog and YouTube, you can search for posts/videos on how to seal it.
SketchUp and Shapeways have been a boon. I’ve been challenged and frustrated but it’s been fun learning how to deal with the idiosyncrasies of each. And since I model a niche prototype (rapid transit), 3-D printing and CAD are the way to go.
More in-depth articles about these subjects, please.
I have several models available through Shapeways. I to have experienced all the printing follies Alex mentioned. When the price of printing comes down, I expect more will use the service. I the mean time you have an opportunity to invest in models not available through the usual sources.
This is perfect start for trains in the field of 3d printing. www.playboxhd.org I hope that turns into reality soon.
For Mac users there is Turbocad Mac which works with 3D printers. I use a Makerbot printer and extrude ABS, which comes in various colors. It can print objects with holes. Orientation of your printed design determines what can be printed.
You did not mention using a home 3D printer. While there is a large up front cost, currently around $200 to $1000 depending on the size of the printer, the cost of printed parts is much lower.
I printed a 9" long bridge for my layout which used less than 50 cents worth of plastic.
I wanted to somehow scratchbuild a specific turn of the century brick roundhouse. I thought that buying brickface styrene and assembling would be beyond my skills, so from photos of the prototype, I built the walls in Sketchup. However, there’s no way I can take the time (is it even possible) to build the brick detail in Sketchup brick by brick. However, there’s a perfect old brick texture that can be added via Sketchup’s paint bucket. I suspect however, trying to get fine brick detail would be beyond Shapeways capabilities. I may send a small wall section to them as a test, but does anyone have any thoughts on how I might best do this?
Thanks
Hello I have been working with 3D printing at Shapeways and I also use the FUD (Frosted Ultra Detailed material) and fine it the best for the scale I’m in. I do “Z” scale 1:220 The FUD material Does show better details when printing and I think that the home version printer seem not to do the greatest in detailing. the cost is by volume of material used so the bigger the model the more the cost. Then there are some size rules for support wires for the material used and Fud again can be used for smaller support wires. Cleaning the wax and oil use for support and cleaning. I fine that bestine is the best along with Dawn dish soap and hot water to remove wax in tight places. No spaces on the model should be completely inclosed because the wax will remain inside. all inclosed spaces must have a excape hole . But the best thing in the process is doing the 3D drawing then is having it printed then the real model in your hand! really amazing!
https://www.shapeways.com/shops/walts-trainz-and-things-z?sort=newest