The Forum for Gauge 3 Model Trains

In the Workshop : Questions, Answers and Help => Best Tool for the Job? => Topic started by: keith Bristol on Sep 19 2011 21:26

Title: 3D ABS printing
Post by: keith Bristol on Sep 19 2011 21:26
As a number of good friends on thsi forum already know I am now in the possesion of a 3d printer. It enables me to design an object and print it. I have started with a radiator front for an 03 which i woudl like.

Is anyone else using 3D ABS plastic printers?

Any requests? With detailed sketches please!
Title: Re: 3D ABS printing
Post by: croned on Sep 26 2011 20:22
I need 12 of door retainers for my nearly complete Fruit D plus another 8 for the Iron Mink's I have yet to make. I'm not sure whether such small parts would reproduce given the nature of the process. Rather than send a sketch I have an .stl file already drawn on my CAD scaled at 1:22.6 of the original drawing in the Iron Mink book. However I havn't worked out how to attach the file to the reply.

David
Title: Re: 3D ABS printing
Post by: keith Bristol on Sep 28 2011 09:24
John,

File attachment is in additional options, I am away until Sunday, I will try then

Keith
Title: Re: 3D ABS printing
Post by: croned on Sep 28 2011 20:25
Keith

Thanksfor the hint. I tried to attach the file but at 1760 Kb its too big.

David
Title: Re: 3D ABS printing
Post by: MikeWilliams on Oct 03 2011 11:56
Keith,

Can you please give us some idea what layer thickness you use with that machine?

I'm assuming its the type which extrudes plastic from a nozzle and then 'welds' them together?

Mike
Title: Re: 3D ABS printing
Post by: keith Bristol on Oct 03 2011 18:14
Mike,

Yes it is, the layer thickness can be as low as 0.125mm but for most items 0.25mm is used, roughing can be up to 0.5mm. The flat surfaces do still require some finishing (the difference between a factory machine and a classroom machine) but the majority are only minor, Iuse a high build primer but a fine wet and dry is great. i use a mixture of ABS and PLA material depending on the shape.

Keith
Title: Re: 3D ABS printing
Post by: MikeWilliams on Oct 03 2011 21:29
Thanks Keith.

I had some bits done on a machine like that last year.  Great for large lumps.  My rectangular pattern came out surprisingly well on the flat sides and the layer thickness only showed on the gentle curve on one side.  I'm sure it will be great for many things.

Mike
 
Title: Re: 3D ABS printing
Post by: keith Bristol on Oct 04 2011 22:01
Thanks Mike

A start I have made is making some connectors to connect tenmille point levers to cliff barker points.. Works well

Keith
Title: Re: 3D ABS printing
Post by: AllWight on Oct 04 2011 23:50
Keith has produced a brilliant duck mould would look perfect on top of a canal barge. Not sure what scale it is but it will look good once it has been turned into a topiary tree for Blackgang.

Mark
Title: Re: 3D ABS printing
Post by: Ted Sadler on Oct 05 2011 09:23
Keith, I expect some fantastic edible creations at your first GTG!

http://www.tomsguide.com/us/3D-Printing-Food-Research-replicator,news-12671.html (http://www.tomsguide.com/us/3D-Printing-Food-Research-replicator,news-12671.html)

Regards
Ted
Title: Re: 3D ABS printing
Post by: keith Bristol on Oct 05 2011 20:52
mmm Ted, I think that would be good but they might be a bit plasticky....
Title: Re: 3D ABS printing
Post by: AllWight on Oct 06 2011 16:25
Thats ok, Ketchup works wonders on MacDonalds and KFC (Kant Find the Chicken). I have always said there is more flavour in the packaging than in the food they sell.

Mark
Title: Re: 3D ABS printing
Post by: keith Bristol on Oct 09 2011 17:56
A few more bits... the 03 cab and radiator grille is apearing, plus I am building a southern railway emu stabling point access walkway the concrete type and the parts are in the second photo.
Title: Re: 3D ABS printing
Post by: keith Bristol on Nov 20 2011 17:51
amongst other items this weekend, the printer can do small items. Pictures are attached of a dummy buckeye coupling printed for a loco.
Title: Re: 3D ABS printing
Post by: keith Bristol on Nov 20 2011 17:55
and sopme better shots of the 03 body, BRUTE bases and a lineside packing chippings bunker, timne to dig out the British Transport Film of . measured shovel packing'...
Title: Re: 3D ABS printing
Post by: AllWight on Nov 21 2011 00:47
Are you going to do the cut down cab version as on the IOW back in the mid 1980's and paint it in NSE blue livery Keith. It would be welcome on Blackgang, no problem.

Mark
Title: Re: 3D ABS printing
Post by: AllWight on Nov 21 2011 01:03
It was cut down in height to allow it to pass through Ryde Tunnel for maintenance duties. The track bed was raised by BR when they introduced the underground stock as the tunnels were prone to flooding from sea water and the pumps were going all day every day just to keep the sea out even in steam days!

As the track bed has been raised there is no hope of ever seeing a steam engine on Ryde Pier again. Besides that the pier itself is looking in a rough state so the weight of a steam loco might be too much for the ironwork now.

Mark
Title: Re: 3D ABS printing
Post by: hornbeam on Nov 21 2011 08:37
It looks fantastic! so what are the thoughts for the chassis and wheels? I think there could be a real market for it as because of their higher speed than the 08 they used to do a trip working so having one on a layout with a few wagons would be realistic and a cheap train. Looking forward to seeing this develop.  ;D
Title: Re: 3D ABS printing
Post by: keith Bristol on Nov 22 2011 20:27
i will keep you al posted