Thoughts about 3D printing.

Thanks for the mention Bob,

The technology is moving fast, I have now, hopefully, found a 3D printer here in the UK that can print my models on the same machines that Shapeways use but they are the next generation. I can specify my own orientation and print up to 16micron layer thickness, which is impressive. Although it will cost a bit more, the finish should be even better, and although we have had some issue with Shapeways on a hole they are not bad to start with.

I will also be printing some Brass parts for some O Scale UK steamers which should be fun!

I think for 3D printing to ever replace injection moulding is way off simply because once the injection moulds are setup it is really fast and the quality remains very constant. But for us now it is opening a lot of doors.

-James

 

For actual production,I agree 3d simply never will replace injection molding.No matter how you look at it,3D,no matter how good it gets,is just a costly process,and will never be as fast as injection molding.I can't imagine a 3D printing ten N scale F7 shells in 30 seconds,at an actual material cost of 13 cents..It's always going to be more "finicky" technology,the difference between a CNC machine and a toaster..

 

3d printing doesn't have to be less expensive or faster than injection molding to eventually take over the market.

50 years from now a modeler buys a new locomotive by buying the CAD file. The manufacturing, painting, lettering and assembly will be done in the modeler's home, all by 3d printing.

Jeff C

 

LOL!! Most are too lazy to do that now.Modelers don't even want to lay track,let alone build locomotives.I know,I can barely find decals and paint anymore..

 

Let's all hope that 3D printing will create an increased need for decals (not just for train stuff) to the point of a home printer that will do white.

Jason

 

I hope so,but seriously,I can't see it..When I really got into this in the 70's,EVERYBODY I knew was painting & decaling..It WAS the hobby,making models of the trains you wanted.You were lucky to find any loco in anything other than ATSF,PRR,PC,Burlington,and UP.If you wanted it,you got out the spraycan,paintbrush,or,if you were advanced,an airbrush.I remember the days when the highest # Microscale set was #10,no 87- or 60-,there were no Microscale N decals,just HO.Us N guys were using Walthers and Champ N decals,or fudging HO decals to fit.And none of us would be caught dead with sectional track,our club used TRu Track in HO..
Now,I'm lucky if I know 15 guys that are still doing this,and only because they're the same guys I knew then,the rest have passed away.Of all the new "modelers" I know,maybe three HAVE painted anything,the rest just complain that they can't find a particular paint scheme on a particular loco...I sincerely can't fathom a resurgence of that kind of work in any kind of future..If anything,it's gonna be all us old guys that have been doing it forever,and as of now,I've done so much over the years,I'm almost to the point where I'm LOOKING for things TO model,and the stuff I'm looking at will NEVER be made,unless I get a printer..

 

Now is not like the past, the future will not be like the present. There's also an even chance that the demographics of the hobby will be much different, and that will certainly alter the way business and manufacturing is done in the model train hobby.

Jeff C

 

Thre needs to be some realism. If you look at my 3D printer (Replicator 2) it has reached some physical limits like conventional printers. It lays down 0.004" layers. Much smaller and the printer would need to be in an air conditioned enviroment as temperature would impact accuracy. Speed is limited by inertia of the head. Like weaving looms there are limits. lazer paper printers have been out for years but few have one for home use. There is a chance that the current std like the replicator could halve in price i.e the equivalent of 2 conventional printers (which is what it is) and it may print in two materials so that any supports could be disolved away. The accuracy is not likely to get much batter as both temperature control and time will make it impractical for home use. Already a small N gauge model https://www.flickr.com/photos/56805875@N03/12984852864/in/photostream/ takes about 3 hours to print. Thre is a bit of texture but its livable with.

 

Interesting that you guys passed over the linked HP announcement. It really attacks the need to know car aspect of 3d printing.

 

Looks like a cake,LOL!!! Until these printers print "dot for dot",and look exactly like the intended item,for me at least,they're useless for anything that's not mimicking wood or masonry.I'd love to have one for buildings,but rolling stock & locos,not so much.Just gotta get those Babyfaces,though,no matter how they look..

 

Well clearly the technology will continue to improve to a point where people will be able to easily print things at home. The long term issue with 3D printing replacing traditional manufacturing methods though is somewhat strange to me. Has being able to print high quality photos, documents, etc., at home replaced the need for professional printing/publishing services? Has the vast increase in electronic media replaced the need to hardcopy books, documents? The 3D printing technology is great for small prototyping, small runs, unique items, and other things like that but no matter how developed the technology becomes I really don't see it replacing the technologies needed to fuel the larger market. In the long run it is simply easier and less time consuming to use injection molding or industrial casting if many thousands of parts are required, but for low demand items it seems like a great way to get product to market. In the end, I see 3D printing replacing urethane resin casting, and hand mold plug making, rather than an actual full scale manufacturing process. Of course we never know what people 50 years from now will come up with.

That said, I have bought several N scale items from Shapeways and been very happy with what I received. They certainly didn't require any more work to finish than cast resin items I have built/finished and the ability to print "fine" details like handrails means that those items don't have to be made from scratch. They may not compare with injection molded items, but I am not a rivet counter and I kind of like the pioneering feel of actually making a kit... sometimes buying RTR items seems too easy to call it a hobby.

I think these 3D printed locomotives turned out okay, and I have a few other projects in the works... 3D printing has made it more of a hobby to me, I really wish more N scale "kits" were available from major manufacturers.