Improved 3D printed Switch Machine....

Sumner Apr 13, 2020

  1. Sumner

    Sumner TrainBoard Member

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    I have two other posts on a 3D printed switch machine I created but wanted to do this one to separate it from the others and it will probably be my last for a while. I like this version the best and I think it has the most to offer.

    What sets it aside from the others is the trackside object you push/pull to operate the DPST slide switch and turnout points is mounted on a deck that completely covers the switch and switch enclosure under it. This will make it easier to camouflage the switch and its enclosure. You can put ground cover right up to the switch enclosure and then drop in the switch assembly with the deck and trackside object and you are good to go. You can make the deck look like a concrete pad and add other objects to it if you want.

    This is explained in more detail and with more pictures here...

    http://1fatgmc.com/RailRoad/3D-Printer/page-3.html

    and here...

    http://1fatgmc.com/RailRoad/3D-Printer/page-4.html

    Hopefully the following also explains it better...

    [​IMG]

    Above we find the basic parts of the switch machine that can be used with the objects further down the page. These can all be 3D printed except for the slide switch which you can find on the internet from sources such as Adafruit and Jameco. One glues the DPST slide switch's handle on the top to the 3D printed slide first. Then drop the switch/slide assembly into the enclosure and glue one of the following objects to the top of the slide.

    [​IMG]

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    Above is the point to all of this vs. using a slide switch alone with its handle sticking out of the layout and attached to the control wire going to the turnout. We now have an object that looks somewhat like it should be on the layout and the object can now be what we push to activate the DPST switch and the turnout.

    [​IMG]

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    I'll try and come up with more options and will be working on getting the files for the ones above up on my account on thingiverse.com also for anyone who has a 3D printer or access to one...

    https://www.thingiverse.com/Sumner/designs

    Sumner
     
    SLSF Freak likes this.
  2. SLSF Freak

    SLSF Freak Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    I like it! You and 3D printing are going to get along juuust fine. (I added an Ender 3 to my inventory a few months back - outstanding FDM printer!)

    Mike
     
  3. Sumner

    Sumner TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks, Ender 3 Pro is what I bought also and love it so far. I have it set to high quality but haven't tried fine tuning that at this point. The pictures of the objects above are of course way larger than the actual object. I'm happy with the detail to this point for a FDM printer and didn't touch them up so far except for some light filing to get them to fit together. Will paint them eventually and might try to touch them up then.

    If you have any setting for small projects such as these I'd like to know what they are.

    Sumner
     
  4. SLSF Freak

    SLSF Freak Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Wish I had some good settings for you but I'm still using the stock settings that come with Cura. You're getting really good results with whatever you're using. And is that with the stock .4mm nozzle? I'm using my Ender 3 for larger parts that require strength but not as much detail. For my fine detail prints I have a couple resin printers in-house that I use for that purpose. When you're ready to start pushing the limits on the Ender, you can get some .2mm nozzles and get some crazy results like this (not my work):
    [​IMG]

    I have no idea what settings the guy used to do this but for FDM printing this is just amazing, and on an Ender 3! He says it took about 4 hours to print which isn't too bad. A lot of times the .2mm nozzles will have that printer going all day long due to slower speeds required and less plastic being laid down per pass.

    Mike
     
    Sumner likes this.
  5. Sumner

    Sumner TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks, that is a lot of fine detail. I did find a couple YouTube videos on printing with more detail using the Ender 3 when I was looking for a printer. I need to go back and look at them again. Maybe they will make more sense to me now.

    I am using the stock nozzle at this point. Don't have a smaller one. Guess I'll order one soon and give it a try. The only change I've made in Cura is going to the .012 Super Quality setting and I don't print a skirt any more as it was getting hard to remove them.

    I have about all of my designs now up on thingiverse here ....

    https://www.thingiverse.com/Sumner/designs

    If anyone uses them I'd be up for feedback on changes and such,

    Sumner
     
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