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Post by okdoky on Jan 9, 2013 22:35:45 GMT
Maybe the cost of the software and the printers will come down gradually !!!!!!!!!! But working in CAD will be a task on its own !!!!!!!!!!
Lots to learn to get simple shapes !!!!!!!!!!!
Nige
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Post by Deleted on Jan 9, 2013 23:37:17 GMT
When the cost of 3D scanners comes down, and there is software to scale the dimensions up/down for the printers, we'll be on a winner.
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Post by bowman on Jan 10, 2013 9:29:55 GMT
Unfortunately, the cost of decent 3D printers is still about £1,700 and decent 3D CAD software (AutoCAD and the like) seems to start at £1,000. I think Nige has hit the nail on the head when he points to the expertise that will have to be learned to produce the complex shapes that we are likely to require I may find the time if and when I eventually retire, but I can't see prices dropping significantly in the next few years. Steve
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Post by bowman on Jan 17, 2013 19:16:00 GMT
I've now got my wheel and tyre produced as 3D CAD models: The parts were "modeled" using 1:1 dimensions, and then scaled down using electronic wizardry. The 3D printing company will produce the actual components by printing them in rigid plastic in 16 micron thick layers, which should be available early next week. I plan to use these to resin cast about 20 sets (each of 2 runners and a spare). It's been a very interesting learning project, but a somewhat expensive one, that I will probably not rush to do again (£85 for the 3D CAD and £102 for the 3D printing!).
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Post by okdoky on Jan 17, 2013 21:17:03 GMT
Steve Hopefully with some help from myself and a few others who might be keen on doing an Arrows trailer or two to go behind their Bedfords, we can help you recoup some of the cost of that initial outlay !!!!!! I will PM you in a bit !!!!! Also, have you spoken with Howard of KFS to see if these CAD drawings would be of use to him for a future project in his range ?? Maybe he can make it worth your while too !!!!!! Nige
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Post by bowman on Jan 18, 2013 14:11:21 GMT
Nige, I'll wait and see what the quality is like when the parts have been printed and I've messed up the resin casting before I start offering them to experts like Howard! ;D That said, the detail of the parts shown on the printer's website ( www.3d-alchemy.co.uk) looks pretty decent I think that for components like the wheels and Michelin XZL 395/85R20 tyres for your Bedford TM, which don't appear to be available commercially in 1/24 scale, it might be worth pursuing, especially as they are the same as the one's that I will need for the JCB 410M that I want to scratchbuild next! ;D As we've discussed in the past, getting parts printed does feel a bit like cheating on a scratchbuild project, but then I guess that it's no worse than buying a kit in the first place, and we've all done plenty of that... Cheers Steve
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Post by bowman on Jan 18, 2013 18:42:00 GMT
Well, I've now got some wheel and tyre components from the 3D printers. The quality is absolutely staggering, when compared to other 3D printed components that I've seen. I'm afraid that my photos don't do the parts justice, and I will try to photograph them in better light tomorrow. A very nice end to the week. I've just got to work out how to create a silicon rubber mould and cast them in resin, but I know where I can find the answers.... Cheers Steve
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Post by okdoky on Jan 18, 2013 18:56:20 GMT
STEVE Those are simply amazing mate !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Boy done good with his tech drawings !!!!!!!!!!!!!! That really does show up the potential for a few days work !!!!!!!!!! It was a pleasure to see how you went about the whole thing !!!!!!!!! As for the issue about scratchbuilding versus getting parts cast in this manner !!!!!!!!!! Personally I have no problems with getting parts made in this manner when I know my own limitations of my own skills could not do anywhere as good for such prominent parts !!!!!!!!!! And in a way, Steve, you have done a fair bit of the work to get the parts to the level of detail and accuracy that you have achieved here !!!!!!!!!!! Just think of it as having built the wheel in drawing form, for your CAD guy to translate into a form of mold (CAD picture) for someone to have cast them !!!!!!!!!! It is your work !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BE DAMNED PROUD OF IT !!!!!!!!!! I know I would be !!!!!!!!!!! And its not as if you have not proved that can kick out adamned fine scratchbuild or two now is it ? Nige
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Post by bowman on Jan 18, 2013 20:38:19 GMT
After a bit of gentle fettling, the two parts are as they should be... Can you tell that I'm quite pleased with the outcome of this exercise? ;D Steve
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Post by okdoky on Jan 18, 2013 21:27:24 GMT
Oy you !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Get that sample wheel up against the trailer to give us a sneak preview as to what the finished product is gonna look like !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Amazed Great to see a fantastic result !!!!!!!!!! Ho w close were the tolerances between the wheel and tyre Nige
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Post by bowman on Jan 18, 2013 21:37:13 GMT
The tolerance was 0.05mm and it was way too tight. I had quite a bit of sanding of the tyre inner to do before they fitted. I will attempt to photograph the wheel/tyre on the trailer tomorrow.
Might even get it hooked up behind the MK if you ask nicely.... Ha ha ha!
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Post by okdoky on Jan 18, 2013 22:25:24 GMT
Was it a soft cast to sand or quite tough going ?? I presume the master will hold up well to the casting process !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The snug fit looks really good as there are no daft edges or blemishes that can be seen !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Nige
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Post by bowman on Jan 19, 2013 9:47:38 GMT
It seems very similar to resin to work, but maybe a little bit harder. The wheel is the part that worries me most with regard to using it as a master for moulding, as the flat "plate" of the wheel is very thin and I think that I will need to be very careful removing it from the silicon.
Steve
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Post by rgriffs on Jan 19, 2013 11:07:12 GMT
why not add a little disc at the rear of the wheel to bulk out the section temporarilly, then take a silicon mould off it. it will also be easier to pour the resin.
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Post by okdoky on Jan 19, 2013 12:18:16 GMT
Are you thinking of a split mold through the middle of the tread and a pouring block added to where the flat of the tyre meets the road surface ? Hopefully any flash would be between those lovely tread grooves if you were extremely lucky or clever !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Nige
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