Has anyone used 3D printers to make structures for their model railroad? [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0m1cVqNsRA"]YouTube - 3D Printer from Thinglab in London[/ame]
Cool! Look at those architectural models! This is my intro to 3D model-making - it all looks magic! I think if the Pound Sterling weren't so strong and the USD so weak, I'd look for some price info. Maybe when Mr. Bush's Robust Economy gets a little more robust... Scott
The friend who sent me this link told me the fancy models cost several thousand dollars, but that prices are coming down to $2000 to $3000...probably out of reach for most individual modelers, but perhaps a possibility for a large club. He also said it is necessary to have digital plans drawn up to make the copier work right. Perhaps production companies that routinely use this kind of equipment to make items for their customers might be willing to negotiate a contract of some sort with a MRR club (e.g., they might draw up plans for several generic structures (or rolling stock??) and run X number of models which the club could then sell to its members to decorate/detail/customize for their own layouts). There are several related videos on YouTube which show 3D printers in action.
need to add a few more zeros there... models that have the capabilty to produce usable detail cost several tens of thousands of dollars.
A few places use them for model railroad stuff http://www.makemymodel.com/catalog/ And I think this places stuff is 3d printed http://www.searails.com/ There may be more, but these are the ones I know of.
Robbman is quite correct re price. At least where model railroaders are concerned, you can place this machine along side the flying car that according to Popular Mechanics in the 1950's we'd all be driving by 1980. The fact is that, for the price of one of these machines you could have a custom builder come in and create an entire, good-size, high quality layout for you, essentially rendering any need for such a machine rather moot. NYW&B
At about $50K, this one is expensive. There are 3D printers for less than $20K, perhaps less than $15K. For all of them you need a 3D file. It takes a while to learn how to do a 3D file.
It's been over a year since I looked at them at a trade show, so I'll agree. I saw mostly power tool housings. The conversion from 3D model on the computer to the code a 3D printer can use has always been somewhat troublesome.
In the Netherlands, I am a committee member of BeneluxSpoor.net - Home , a great forum of modeltrain enthusiasts. We have almost 4.000 registered members. With a small group we also study the possibilities of modeltrains and modelbuildings using the 3D Printing/ Rapid Manufacturing methods. We even made several prototypes build with different technics: 1. FDM - Fused Deposition Modeling See: [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMQWGBgNCtg"]YouTube - Rapid Prototyping Video of Objet's PolyJet Process[/ame] 2. LOM - Laminated Object Manufacturing See: [ame="http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=nik6bxZcm9Y"]YouTube - Solido SD300 - 3D Drucker (3D Printer)[/ame] 3. SLS - Selective Laser Sintering See: [ame="http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=ps0WEZbDjHE"]YouTube - Z Corp. ZPrinter 450 Introduction[/ame] 4. Improved Micro Stereolithografie TNO (a Dutch R&D Institute like MIT) has developed a 3D Printing process with a resolution of 0,005 mm. This makes it possible to manufacture small, complex products with high-tech product properties. The difference in surface quality with injection moulded products can no longer be observed with the naked eye. In addition to the process and equipment, TNO also develops special materials for micro-stereolithography. Material can be optimised in respect of the functional requirements demanded of the product. Probably this is the best productionmethod/material for modeltrains and/or buildings. e.q. in the blanc version. See for more information: TNO As model to create we choose a small, quite simpel model of the Dg - NS 2421 … 2700 a Dutch Conductors Car (Period 1954 - 1958). See: http://www.locomotor.nl/pics/DG18.htm The first 3D model of a Dg was already created by "Spoors" in scale N. See: http://www.spoors.nl/images/mitropa/dg-hekwerk.jpg His N-scale model of the Dutch brake van (complete cabin, including the details on the roof) was printed with an InVision HR 3-D Modeler at Printapart.com. They provide a very good service with a personal touch. All Spoors had to do, was to register and he could upload his 3D model (in STL format) a few minutes later. Questions regarding the positioning and layering of the model were answered the same day. See: Fabbing - spoors.nl My first fabbed model For our community we were looking for feasible and payable possibilities in the Netherlands. We found a partner in Shapeways, a young company at the Hightech Campus Eindhoven (NL). Using rapid manufacturing techniques or direct digital manufacturing, they can offer you the posibility to bring your digital models to life. The way it works is that you can upload a digital model in collada of x3d format, have a look whether it is indeed possible to manufacture it and then you can use the order button to order it and have it custom manufactured for you. They offer different materials. e.g. ABS plastic. In the near future they will add other materials, based on popular request and feasability. See for more information: Shapeways | passionate about creating The first results in different materials: http://www.beneluxspoor.net/images/stories/Modelspoorpraktijk-encyclopedie/dg_1.jpg (Different materials...) Transparent-Detail http://www.beneluxspoor.net/images/stories/Modelspoorpraktijk-encyclopedie/dg_3.jpg http://www.beneluxspoor.net/images/stories/Modelspoorpraktijk-encyclopedie/dg_4.jpg White-Detail http://www.beneluxspoor.net/images/stories/Modelspoorpraktijk-encyclopedie/dg_6.jpg http://www.beneluxspoor.net/images/stories/Modelspoorpraktijk-encyclopedie/dg_7.jpg http://www.beneluxspoor.net/images/stories/Modelspoorpraktijk-encyclopedie/dg_8.jpg (Cream-Robust) http://www.beneluxspoor.net/images/stories/Modelspoorpraktijk-encyclopedie/dg_9.jpg http://www.beneluxspoor.net/images/stories/Modelspoorpraktijk-encyclopedie/dg_10.jpg Laminated The results are yet different in look and feel, and in quality. But we believe there is enough to try out. Interested? Visit our website or send an e-mail to info@beneluxspoor.net Hans van de Burgt Secretary Beneluxspoor.Net Foundation (NL)
We tried to make another 3D protos of the dutch Dg wagon. Now we use the 3D colorprinter (ZCorp ZPrint 450) of Protospace, one of the dutch Fablabs. Perhaps the material isn't a good choice for a wagon. For buildings it is probably the best. Pictures: Bart Bakker Kind regards, Hans van de Burgt
Holy cow batman. Shades of Star Trek's replicator. :tb-biggrin: How sturdy are those models. Seems like they could be quite brittle.
I used to make jokes about wanting a "model printer" all the time in architecture school. I didn't know anyone was seriously working on one anywhere this side of the much larger scale CNC router kinds of operations. I am going to guess that it's only a few years off that my alma mater is going to be hitting me up for donations toward the purchase of these. The kids these days... Anything like this is bound to open up a whole new set of issues. I would imagine that if you have a reasonable good facility with 3d modeling on a computer you could save some time, but if you have reasonable facility with an X-acto knife, a cutting mat, and loads of extra blades you could probably do just about as well.
The testresults are quite good. Karst Drenth made some proto's in 'White Detail' quality, and use his airbrush ... 'White detail' is a material is an acrylic-based photopolymer. It is recommend using it for smaller, highly detailed objects where strength and temperature resistance above 50 degrees centigrade is less of an issue. See also: [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMQWGBgNCtg]Objet[/ame] See and look for the differences between the proto above and the wagon below, also builded by Karst in a traditional way from styreen. Convinced? See for more information also Marleen and Modeltrains
Ok I am curious. How much did this in the picture cost to make? Also how much is the machine that made it? How long does the machine take to make something about that size? Thanks Hans for answering
@FSM1000, The macro-picture made by Bart was rather cheap. He uses a digital camera. This experiment was provided by Protospace, a Dutch Fablab, and the proto was made for free. Like all our protos! As a Foundation we have several sponsors for our research. In our concept we don't have to invest in machines. We collaborate with 3D Printservice agents, like Shapeways. You can buy the model (1:87) in "white detail" quality for +/- 25 dollar. See also: Stalen DG Dakdetails- Model by Karst Drenth Kind regards, Hans van de Burgt
