1/87 3D printed details.

[Dave Buchholz]

Over the past few weeks, I have noticed a number of details for HO scale that have been popping up. It's just amazing to see the clarity and fidelity of drtail of these pieces. Unlike castings, they also eem incredibly cheap in comparison. 

Recently I got over 85 pieces for less than $35. There were dumpsters, trash cans, fire hydrants. Window air conditioners. Park benches, all sorts of goodies.

 3D printing is a game changer. It's rewriting the rules in so many industries. I believe a whole new era of modeling is before us.

Fifth Dave to the right

[ReadingBob]

Over the past few weeks, I have noticed a number of details for HO scale that have been popping up. It's just amazing to see the clarity and fidelity of retail of these pieces. Unlike castings, the seem incredibly cheap in comparison. 

Recently I got over 85 pieces for less than $35. There were dumpsters, trash cans, fire hydrants. Window air conditioners. Park benches, all sorts of goodies.

I believe a whole new era of modeling is before us.

I wholeheartedly agree!  It's a wonderful advancement for the hobby.  Also, consider that the quality of metal/hydrocal/resin castings deteriorates as the molds age whereas that won't happen with 3D printed detail parts.  

[Philip]

As a 3d maker in O scale I must attest some larger prints will develop cracks after a year or so. Smaller details seem to hold up better but sometime warp. Why I have no idea and I'm no expert. I foresee a future where no print lines are visible, which can be masked with a bit of sanding and priming. 

[Bernd]

Over the past few weeks, I have noticed a number of details for HO scale that have been popping up. It's just amazing to see the clarity and fidelity of retail of these pieces. Unlike castings, the seem incredibly cheap in comparison. 

Recently I got over 85 pieces for less than $35. There were dumpsters, trash cans, fire hydrants. Window air conditioners. Park benches, all sorts of goodies.

I believe a whole new era of modeling is before us.

I wholeheartedly agree!  It's a wonderful advancement for the hobby.  Also, consider that the quality of metal/hydrocal/resin castings deteriorates as the molds age whereas that won't happen with 3D printed detail parts. 

Use the 3D printer to make a new master mold every time the mold wears out. The mold will be the same in tolerances due to the fact it was designed on a computer. You can make parts faster that way then 3D printing them all.

Bernd

[Dave Buchholz]

I f that was the case of using  3d Printing to create the mold, it strikes me that the choice of plastic to print the "mold" would seem critical to that process, as it would need to be flexible enough to pop out the final part, without a loss of shape. out.

I could see where a number of people who 3D print could just start the cycle before they go to bed, and in the morning  have a wealth of new parts available the next morning. But, I'm just a modeler without those skills, that admires the results of whose who do the programming and printing.

Fifth Dave on the right

[Bernd]

I f that was the case of using  3d Printing to create the mold, it strikes me that the choice of plastic to print the "mold" would seem critical to that process, as it would need to be flexible enough to pop out the final part, without a loss of shape. out.

I could see where a number of people who 3D print could just start the cycle before they go to bed, and in the morning  have a wealth of new parts available the next morning. But, I'm just a modeler without those skills, that admires the results of whose who do the programming and printing.

Fifth Dave on the right

Ok, seems like I didn't get the message across. First you print a master in 3D. You use that master to make a rubber mold. You use the mold to cast several hundred copies, which could be done in a day or so. That's what I meant about using a 3D printer in making a mold.

Bernd

[deemery]

I f that was the case of using  3d Printing to create the mold, it strikes me that the choice of plastic to print the "mold" would seem critical to that process, as it would need to be flexible enough to pop out the final part, without a loss of shape. out.

I could see where a number of people who 3D print could just start the cycle before they go to bed, and in the morning  have a wealth of new parts available the next morning. But, I'm just a modeler without those skills, that admires the results of whose who do the programming and printing.

Fifth Dave on the right

Ok, seems like I didn't get the message across. First you print a master in 3D. You use that master to make a rubber mold. You use the mold to cast several hundred copies, which could be done in a day or so. That's what I meant about using a 3D printer in making a mold.

Bernd

It's interesting to consider the economics of this.  3D printing is getting to the point where the initial costs of making the mold and then the material costs for the resin would be more than the cost of the equivalent number of 3D printed products.

dave

[Bernd]

I f that was the case of using  3d Printing to create the mold, it strikes me that the choice of plastic to print the "mold" would seem critical to that process, as it would need to be flexible enough to pop out the final part, without a loss of shape. out.

I could see where a number of people who 3D print could just start the cycle before they go to bed, and in the morning  have a wealth of new parts available the next morning. But, I'm just a modeler without those skills, that admires the results of whose who do the programming and printing.

Fifth Dave on the right

Ok, seems like I didn't get the message across. First you print a master in 3D. You use that master to make a rubber mold. You use the mold to cast several hundred copies, which could be done in a day or so. That's what I meant about using a 3D printer in making a mold.

Bernd

It's interesting to consider the economics of this.  3D printing is getting to the point where the initial costs of making the mold and then the material costs for the resin would be more than the cost of the equivalent number of 3D printed products.

dave

Consider the time.  How long for a print? How long to pour a resin casting and have it ready to pop out of the mold? Have you ever done any resin casting?

Here's a short step by step I did when I was in TT scale. I made my own track patterned after Central Valley Ties strips.

The master mold.



The rubber product I used.



"Squish molding", the resin has been poured. To get a nice flat back a piece of plastic was placed on the back and pushed down to squish out the access resin.



Approximately 3 to 5 minutes later the resin has hardened.



Close up view.



Removed from the mold.



Some clean up of the flashing.



Four pieces of resin casting make up one 3 foot section of track. Toke at the max one whole day. How long would it have taken to that on a #d printer? Asking for a friend.



And if I want more track, I don't need to 3D print more and wait for them to be printed. I've already did all the front-end work. I just pull out the molds and have mold pouring party.

Bernd

[deemery]

Bernd, good point!  Castings cure faster than 3D printers print and cure (at least right now.)

dave

[Dave Buchholz]

Thanks for the clarification.

[Bernd]

Bernd, good point!  Castings cure faster than 3D printers print and cure (at least right now.)

dave

That may be so. But from my research into 3D printing there's also the cleaning in IP to get what resin is left on the part off and then it needs to get a suntan in an ultraviolet tanning booth to cure even more.

The first I heard about resin printing was a guy by the name of Don Lancaster. Quite an interesting guy. I beleive he used to write articles in electronic magazines such as "Nuts-n-Volts". That had to be back in the 70's. It took from then till now to get tabletop printers for modelers to use. I think it'll take maybe half as long to get to where you are talking about.

My opinion of 3D printers is that they are good for prototype work and making master molds. As far as production work, maybe not so much. Must be that age thing with me now.   

Bernd

[Bernd]

Thanks for the clarification.

Want to make sure you get good information.

Bernd

[KentuckySouthern]

Some folks in 3d printing on a commercial basis may have numerous machines, "printer farms" they use. Some filament machines are getting their print quality fairly fine that eliminates post processing clean and cure.

Lots of innovation going into these products.