So, I recently joined a hacker space in San Jose called The Tech Shop, and as a member I have access to 3D printers, 3D scanner, Injection molding machine, CNC metal working machines. I have a buddy that is really good with CAD and loves trains, so we were thinking of trying to make some Injection molded locomotive shells and passenger car prototypes. My goal is to try to do it cheaper than shapeways, and with higher quality... I know the big manufacturers spend thousands of dollars in developing their molds, but I feel like I can do for much less. I'll let you know how things turn out. But in the mean time, I'd love to know what your opinions are.
It all would come down to the detail level for me. It would be really great to get these designs a little more affordable for everyone as well. As for injection molding, it's always been so cost-prohibitive for low-run items. I'd be interested to see what you all come up with. Being able to create water-clear plastic would be a great thing, since right now, doing glass for these models is pretty difficult on some of the designs. If you all can work it out to where it would be more affordable, then for sure I'd send everyone your way. Would you be doing your own designs or would you be able to take others' models and have them done as well? If so, then the only real issue I could see would be ensuring the model files you receive stay private. I can't wait to see what you all can do! Another thing I thought of: When submitting models to shapeways, they have their restrictions on what can be printed as far as dimensions go. Yet I've seen models that come from Kato and Atlas with handrails that exceed the limits of what Shapeways would print. Being able to have that option would make things that much better.
Yeah, I would love to offer people an alternative to make their models. I want to offer a way for people crowd-fund and crowd-source their ideas, and make money off of them like they would on a shapeways store. I would also ensure that the CAD files and molds are safe, and in the control of the creator.
Hmm, I would really love if someone would make an MP15AC and some WSOR decals. I'm actually really into the way FVM does their detailing opposed to molded on details like Atlas or Kato, so I would suggest if you were to actually make these you could spend the extra time to do the same. Details make me smile! That's really all I want! Alex
You may was well jump right to the chase and find out what it takes to injection-mold Delrin, because that's the material of choice for fine detail from every manufacturer out there. FUD and similar may be able to do the resolution, but the material durability is quite brittle on thin cross-section. The material isn't what gets you, it's the cost of the tooling. If there's a way to reverse-engineer the tooling and produce THAT, then that's a quantum leap. The guy I work with on photoetching is about as sophisticated as I've seen from plan submission to results; particularly when I can say that I've now produced three kits with NO mistakes between design phase and production. The setup/design charge can eat you alive, but once you get through that it's a great way to produce thin and durable parts for lower-run kits. His is pretty much fully automated, but to make it work your drawing standards and doublechecking are critical. I'll freely admit I designed the CF7 to evolve into RP instead of casting if and when the surface improves; right now I can get mirror-smooth surfaces with resin casting. But I bet my own money, and I still think I'm right - that all the fine details like steps, handrails, grabs, etc. work far better in photoetched metal than RP materials, and are better as an ad-on. This is always a situation where when the only tool you have is a hammer every problem looks like a nail; I think that applies to RP printing as well. Having actually produced stuff now in resin, photoetched brass, and RP via Shapeways; when I'm asked which I prefer the answer is "Yes".
Randgust, I know the cost of tooling is expensive, but if I have all the equipment to tool the mold myself, that should be a significant saving on cost. All I need to do is find the Aluminum stock to mill out. I also have photo-etching equipment too, I want to crowd source this as much as possible, so if people want photo-etch details, I can accommodate that, but its going to raise the price, and whole point of me doing this, is to make our hobby more affordable.
another vapor-ware project like the decal business you started a hype some months ago ? get real. neither 3d design/printing or mold making is easy and cheap.
I am not sure that anyone can start a model train business like making a locomotive or even a shell and stay in line with, let alone beat, the prices of current manufacturers. We all know that most model railroad companies operate on shoestring budgets. I am sure I don't have all of the facts, but I still think it will be very difficult at best. Look at the cost of models coming from Shapeways; I believe if you had Shapeways make a loco shell, you would be looking at a minimum of $25 for the shell, plus shipping, plus couplers, plus paint, plus decals, plus details, plus the cost of labor. The advantage would be small runs of locos not likely ever made by a large manufacturer, but unless a modeler can all of the work himself, you are probably looking at $60 for a completed shell and double that for a custom painter to do it. Just my opinion.
The decal business isn't dead, it's just moving slowly. I had to put it on hold while I finished my Masters, and my business partner was having some personal problems that slowed it down more, but its far from vapor-ware, we are just working on finding someone to print our decals, and ironing out some outstanding licenses.
