Starting on page 38 of the May 2013 issue is an article about rapid prototyping and 3D printing. There is one significant error in the article. The author discusses Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) but actually describes stereolithography. FDM is a different process where a very fine bead of plastic, typically ABS, is heated and extruded out of a nozzle to build up a part. The nozzle moves in the X-Y plane while the bed that holds the part (or sometimes the nozzle) moves in the Z axis to build up the part one layer at a time.
FDM machines produce stronger parts and cost less, but the surface finish can require some finishing to get to an acceptable level for our models. Stereolithography produces parts with a very fine finish. Neither process is very fast, so they do not lend themselves to mass production, but I can see these processes begin to replace cast resin kits in the not too distant future.
The least expensive stereolithography machine is coming out now for $3,299. http://formlabs.com/
Thankfully you can get FDM machines for as cheap as $300 in kit form. There are many, many options here, but one is the machine from Solidoodle. http://www.solidoodle.com/ for $500 assembled. Here is a more complete list of available machines. http://www.additive3d.com/3dpr_cht.htm
In either case, you must be able to create 3D CAD models, so you will need some 3D CAD software and know how to use it.
Ericboone:
Thanks for sharing your knowledge about this very interesting topic. To me it seems like a repeat of the Texas Instruments calculators phenom where we are just barely seening the tip of the iceberg. I read recently where some pundits are suggesting that 3D printing could become a multi billion dollar industry in the not too distant future.
It will be interesting to watch where it goes, and to see its impact on the model railroad industry. There have already been a couple of posts that I have seen showing what can be done. Here are a couple of recent threads related to the topic:
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/216454.aspx
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/216454.aspx
Here is one current source for information (thanks Ulrich for the lead):
http://www.shapeways.com/
Dave
I know that some of the Chinese suppliers are testing or have tested the FDM “printing” of (at least) plastic figures and small objects like a scale soccer ball.
My friends at one manufacturer even have a few samples. I saw a highly realistic small female figurine that to my eyes appeared to be very cleanly executed–either it had been “cleaned up” or the tiny dots were so small that to the naked eye they were not noticeable. The finished product was nicer looking than most HO or O scale figures currently on the market–but I don’t know about the current costs.
I am not aware of any timeline in terms of years until it can be used for model train rolling stock or subassemblies.
John