3D Printing: Projects

[mattmay05]

I shall look in to it, but it's not FUD. It's FD on this project being used, as I saw little difference between the 2.

[mattmay05]

Composite 412 is now complete:

[noel]

Matt

My impression from your RMweb thread was the bogies were in FUD.
- sorry but I posted there too.

Noel

[mattmay05]

That's cool, no always been FD, I trailed FUD but didn't see much of a difference in quality, but saw quite a bit of price difference and not quality, so we decided to stick with FD. I don't usually look at RMweb, mainly because it's always seemingly broken or they have a server issue... plus their site doesn't work too well on your mobile.

[Lambrail]

DO they come in 0 gauge too?

[mattmay05]

Sadly not would be way to expensive, and too big for the printer.

[mattmay05]

All 3 coaches together... soon to be 4?


I have just started finishing off the final composite coach in this set, which has been a bit of a struggle in recent weeks due to the failure rate from Shapeways.... Because of this I chose a different route on this last coach which was due to be finished at the end of June.. now in July I went with a local 3D print company called Graphite Additive Manufacturing, a company that does more checks on a print than you can think about.. which I like!
This last coach has been printed by SLA printer, so a laser curing resin to create the model.
I picked up the final print on Wednesday, and the quality was quite amazing, despite missing some smaller bits which was due to them being under the minimal print margins, the model was a lot smoother, the material is called ABS-Like.. although looking at other companies I Materialise does some thing similar called Prime Grey. It maybe double the cost but if your looking for a decent finish on a model then you have to be prepared to pay for it.
SLS Nylon - £23
SLA ABS-Like - £49
Anyway I hope to finish this model by the 19th July hopefully in time for High Wycombe club open day.
Here's some following images of the new print,




A few detailing bits added....

[mattmay05]

Now complete 368

[flying scotsman123]

Really good matt, properly professional looking there, certainly worth all the effort.

[mattmay05]

Thanks yes it's been a long road but got there in the end. It's been nearly 2 years since selling the old Met ratio bashed coaches.
But at least they are on course for the weekend to be running together.
Also had our first sale of one of the coaches which was exciting so they are starting to pay their way a bit.

Models can be found here:
http://www.shapeways.com/shops/Bluebellmodelrailwayshop

[timbologist]

I must commend you on your efforts starting this type of venture cold turkey so to speak is not easy that's for sure.
I'm about to start posting on my adventure's with cad 3d printing in regards to model railways.
But I have to admit I have a slight advantage I'm a toolmaker, with cad/cam experience.

keep up this excellent work

[mattmay05]

Yes it's certainly not easy, but was interesting, it does help having someone on board the project that knows what they are doing when it comes to CAD, infact these will be made in to N gauge when he gets the time, the part that was probably the most difficult was the 3D printing part understanding what worked, and what didn't and why.
Problem is you don't always get your way despite knowing which way is best.. which is frustrating, which was main reason i wanted to oversea the last print and get it checked properly. CAD and experience can help with the design but doesn't help when it actually comes to printing the model, which is the main reason it's taken so long.

[mattmay05]

I am pleased to announce that the GN Saloon is now available on Shapeways.
The body has been revised to ensure the middle of the carriage maintains its shape with addition all supports along the corridor section. Both ends of the model have been remade after some details went missing, I believe this has now been fixed.

Prices:
GN Directors Saloon Body, OO - €36.21
GN Saloon Chassis OO - €23.09

You will require paints, primer, and detailing parts: Brass wire 0.45mm, 0.8mm brass rod (Truss rods), handrail knobs, Markits M34 M4Cdhb 4mm Coach Door T Handles, X9306 Gresley bogies, X9341 Gresley coupling cam plate, Hornby Screwlink couplings x2 X5069, Torpedo roof vents, clear Acetate sheet (windows)
http://www.shapeways.com/shops/Bluebellmodelrailwayshop

[mattmay05]

I have been working on another small range of models, first one off the test print is an LBSC, Perishable goods van. This has been designed on Sketchup as the shape is more simple for the program to work with. The general design was along the same lines as the Metropolitan stock, leaving holes for handrails and slot holes for steps and lamp irons.
The model will fit on a 6 wheel Hornby sausage van with out to much modification.



I went with another 3D print company as I was impressed with the SLA print from the company I used in Aylesbury, this one from Imaterialise was on the right lines but sadly featured quite heavy print lines, this again was down to them saving money there end and not orientating the model correctly to stop the stepping effect on the roof and to some degree the sides which needed cleaning up.





After some cleaning up on the model and a few coats of filler primer from Halfords the model wasn't looking too bad, most of the clean up could be avoided if they printed it correctly. Some split pins were used and bent in to shape for lamp irons, and 0.2mm x 3mm Brass strip was used for the steps on the model.
0.45mm brass wire used for the hand rail on the doors.




The model was the primed with normal Halfords grey primer, ready for painting in to LBSC umber brown.




Then the extremely fun part for me, although uncertain if this Van is supposed to be lined out or not, is up for debate, but the one that the Bluebell Railway has just restored number 270 although not in traffic yet, is lined out, with blue shaded lettering and numbers... so I will go with that, plus it looks a rather pretty vehicle lined plus I like a bit of a challenge.
Using Fox transfers 0.35mm lining, which is a tad thick for this but will have to do straights and corners were ordered and then on to the lining..



3 days later and some 24 hours spent on lining and putting transfers on the first side is complete... Just one more to go but one side finished is good enough to show.

[skyblue]

It looks really good - and it's remarkable to think that it came from a printer!