Over on the Model Railroad forum, we’ve had some lengthy discussions about how 3D printing can affect model railroading. How will the technology benefit full-sized trains? I think the biggest application of the technology could be restoration. Replacement parts for old locomotive that are no longer available can be 3D printed. What do you guys think?
Restoration is a very good possibility - many of the drawings still exist, they just have to be turned into the appropriate coding to create the part.
I would suspect that in most cases, such printing would serve as the model from which a part is then cast. It would be more efficient than CNC milling a part that is needed in quantity.
I suspect that 3D printing may already be making its presence known in the development of new parts.
I’ve read that 3D printers are closer to the consumer market than many may realize - ie, making parts for models. It won’t be long before the hard-core modeler may be able to afford one and we’ll start seeing some pretty amazing detail in models.
If ever you have worked on restoration of full size railroad equipment, you will find that many of the parts are on the large size. Perhaps there are 3D printers out there that can handle parts three and four feet wide, but most I have heard of are considerably smaller.
The other issue is material strength. That is not an issue for a cosmetic restoration, but for operating parts durability is critical.
John
Regarding material strength, one can 3d-print a model, use it to make a mold, then a make a steel casting or hundreds of castings.
Imagine! A Big Boy - hot off the printer! [swg]
But the mold would be have again as big as the Big Boy and half again as comlicated. So would the printer! And only one kind of steel would be used for all parts. Not very practical. Big Boy parts, yes. The whole locomotive, not very likely.
Ah, but we can dream…
Despite the fact that consumer models aren’t far off, the technology is still in its infancy. As new and better ways are found to handle the materials needed, though, we might well see fairly large scale, and possibly even multi-media printers one day.
The stresses involved in RR applications are well beyond what parts made on a 3-d printer can handle. As said in this post, there are a few parts that could be cast from models made on a 3d printer. On model railroads there will be endless possibilities.
Solid Concepts is taking 3D printing over a threshold with their just-announced 3D printed stainless steel handgun. A 1911, the Solid Concepts pistol is chambered for full-power centerfire .45 ACP cartridges.
The company is out to prove a point, that 3D printing has reached a level of maturity and precision that they can make a traditional firearm with the leading-edge technologies. Naturally, they are working with industrial-scale 3D printers, not the types of devices hobbyists have at home.
Mr. Scott’s replicator in the engineering department of the Starship Enterprise is not here yet, but coming closer.
I would opine that any part of a size that can be “printed” on a given 3D printer could then be cast. I don’t expect to see truck sideframes any time soon, but many other fair-sized items are probably fair game.
The only possible drawback for model railroads will be the resolution that a 3D printer will “print.” If the layers are too thick and the piece is too small, rounded surfaces will be stepped instead of rounded.
I can see possibilities for my little print shop as well. Right now special graphics involve having the “cuts” chemically etched by a specialty shop. I do letterpress, so using a special typestyle that I don’t have on hand involves either having a cut engraved, or buying a complete new font. The 3D printed plates may not have the durability for thousands of impressions, but they can probably handle my usual quantities.