Take a look at this article. I really believe it’s the future of model railroading!
http://www.technologyreview.com/Infotech/21152/?nlid=1244&a=f
No more tedious scratch-building. Just design the model in 3D space, hit the print button and you’re done.
Model railroaders can share their files for existing designs. No more limited editions!
There is now a quality machine for about $5000 with the price expected to decrease substantially.
I can’t wait to get my hands on one of these!
Royce
That would be great for me…and I would still have the pleasure of painting it up and weathering it.
-Crandell
You mean stereolithography?
That technology has been around for over 15 years! This isn’t something new.
Did you know they can do this with metal now? That is something new!
Royce,
Not quite as easy as that. The technology was originally developed so that engineers could more easily and quickly have 3D mock-ups of proof of design concepts and changes. It was faster and less expensive than having a machinist remachine the next iteration out of a block of material.
However, the type of material used is very important. Some materials require added internal support so that they can stand up under their own weight. The required support also may not make them very conducive for certain applications, like locomotives or rolling stock shells.
And, depending on the material, the surfaces may not be as smooth as tradional materials and the model VERY fragile to handle. While a styrene model might crack if it took a tumble off your layout or work bench but still be repairable, a “printed” one might actually shatter on impact. Yea, you might be able to print an new one but you’d still have to assemble, paint and/or detail it.
Oh, and don’t forget the cost of the printing medium and the learning curve for the 2D and 3D software. You’ll also need a fairly powerful computer that enough RAM and CPU oomph so that it can do the number crunching needed to both render and “print” out your designs. Maintenance of the printer may also be a factor.
For me, the ideal scenario would still be some sort of medium format CNC milling machine where you could lay styrene sheeting down and cut out the pieces you need mechanically with an end mill. For wood, lasers do a great job of cutting a very thin line, which makes for easy removal of the pieces.
Having said all that, I do like the idea of being able to design something on my computer with the potential of sending it to someone so that they can machine my concept out of wood, plastic, or metal for ass
Has been out for years. Nothing new… In fact Model Railroad Craftsman did an artical on it a few years back. I know I still have the monthly magazine. Didn’t impress me or really anyone else. Quite expensive.
Mike
I posted a simmilar message a year and a half ago.
…so this is technically “the future” relative to that post…
http://cs.trains.com/trccs/forums/p/84757/1002747.aspx#1002747
[sigh]
I know lots of model railroaders also like cars - so check out Jay Leno’s Garage (if ever there was someone to be jealous of…). In one episode he shows off an amazing 3D machine they use to make parts for some of the cars he has - where there is no choice, I mean, you can’t walk into the local NAPA and get a part for a 1907 White steam car. What is amazing about this machine is it can even make MOVING parts in ONE piece! Nothing too complicated, but he shows off an adjustable wrench, the kind where you roll the knob and it moves one jaw in and out, that was made by the amchine in one operation. Usuaully there are 3 pieces to such a wrench, the handle and fixed jaw, the worm wheel, and the movable jaw with the teeth than engage the worm. Grnated the machine works only with plastic, and it’s far larger than would be needed for scale model railroading (maybe not large scale). Still, absolutely amazing machine.
–Randy
That is one type of fast prototyping that is coming along. There are numerous mfg’s going after that right now in the electronics field that I’m looking at that might just work out in this area—but–but–but—do you have the cash to procure these things??? One I’ve got my eyes on is on ‘sale’ right now at $6500us. Cheap huh?[oX)][:-^]
Yeah real neat stuff but it has more then a few drawbacks The software and printer would cost you more then you would ever spend on model structures even if you had a 5000sqft layout Most of the material that 3D models are made of does not last it’s strictly for prototype visualization purposes ( for the geeks in the board room who take a 2D drawing or 3D computer model and visualize it in the real world. As mentioned they now have machines that can make models in metals and other material again way way out of reach cost wise. I have used these programs in the past and have had models made having worked in the defense industry and trust me they never look as good as you might think they do. The company I worked for at the time was no small mom & pop outfit and the cost of a super detailed model was astronomical so our boss opted for a cheaper one which was a joke and a half. Nothing that couldn’t have been created out of foam core board or Gator board for a fraction of the cost.
We used process at Alcoa in the early 90s for rapid prototyping of extrusion shapes. My LHS has one and makes his own scenery items. They look incredible.
Correct me if I’m wrong but wasn’t there recently a blurb or ad for some company using this process for z scale RS3 shells?
I heard something to that effect awhile ago as well. The thing would be also just how much those shells will cost–as the cost of the prototypers/printers are not cheap–you still have to factor those costs in to your MSRP at some point
Here’s a link redeyeondemand.com Get a quote on your favorite project.
Maybe he was thinking it was a 5-axis CNC milling machine? Oh, wait, them have been around for a while now too. I even remember a 3-axis table top version that was about the size of a portable table saw.
Regarding the cost build-up and the price point, I was surprised at how resonable my LHS was for his scenery items done via rapid prototyping. But I’m thinking a Baldwin centipede would be a lot more. Wait, some company is doing that already…
“Aaaaaacccckkk!”
-Kosmo
I think some of you oversaw that they can Mfg stuff for you at a reasonable cost. No need to buy a real expensive piece of equipment.
As stated above, this is nothing new. I first used this process about 12 years ago.
I use rapid prototyping in my business quite often (A box of parts just arrived from FedEx a few minutes ago, in fact).
For business, it’s great. The box on my desk contains 3 little prototype parts. Cost: $300 for 3 parts. Each part is about the size of your thumb.
Again, for business, it’s great. $300 for 3 thumb-sized parts in like 3 days is great. For my hobby - no way. That’s way too much money.
Then there’s the resolution of the parts. The material is built up in layers, so super fine parts would not look as good as injection molded parts.
I’ve also had some metal parts made within the past couple years, using the laser sintering process. Frankly, they were pretty expensive, even for business.
Rapid Prototyping is becoming more and more a part of my reality as a mechanical design engineer, and I absolutely love it. But I bet we have another 10 years or so before I’d start considering making an HO scale doghouse out of it. Right now, that one doghouse would probably cost me $50 in a qty of 1 piece.
Well the company that is mentioned in the start of this thread seems to be more “customer friendly” then most of the competition.
http://www.shapeways.com/themes/stainless_steel_3dprinting_gallery
Some of the sintered stuff is really cool!
http://www.shapeways.com/themes/stainless_steel_3dprinting_gallery
Regarding the link above, I see they recommend a wall thickness of 3mm. That’s just under 1/8". This type of process isn’t ready for fine detail work quite yet, at least in my experience.