3D Printing - General Thread

[mspaw]

ill be interested in how that works out. Im sure they just want less edge cases they have to work through.

-Michael

[Hauk]

ill be interested in how that works out. Im sure they just want less edge cases they have to work through.

-Michael

What I heard is that due to a big increase in business, SW has hired a lot of rather inexperienced people. These people do not have the experience and confidence to make judgements on an individual basis, they just stick to the rules.

But I think that SW should keep track of what models that have printed OK before, that should save them some work.

[eTraxx]

From Shapeways - Print it Anyway

https://www.shapeways.com/support/print-it-anyway

[chester]

An interesting (and affordable) addition to the concept of 3D printing.
http://www.thisiscolossal.com/2014/04/lix-the-worlds-smallest-3d-printing-pen-lets-you-draw-in-the-air/

[finescalerr]

If I were an artist, I would want one of those for Christmas. I'm not certain what application it would have in fine modeling but it is COOL! Thanks for the link. -- Russ

[TRAINS1941]

If I were an artist, I would want one of those for Christmas. I'm not certain what application it would have in fine modeling but it is COOL! Thanks for the link. -- Russ

Image how easy it would be to publish a book!!!!

Jerry

[eTraxx]

With the help of a plugin - Curviloft .. I brewed up some Cowl Ventilators for a ship I am building in O scale for my layout. The Boiler Room Hatch ventilators are slightly larger then the ones used on the Engine Room Hatch. I also made some N scale versions. Curious to see how they print in the smaller scale. In any case .. the plugin Curviloft .. "lofts along a path" .. pretty handy tool.

[finescalerr]

Please photograph and post the printed parts. -- Russ

[lab-dad]

Looks like stacks for a flathead with 8 carbs!
Very cool!
-Mj

[mabloodhound]

Really good Ed.

[marc_reusser]

Great find Ed. Thanks for the share. This will come in very handy...I have struggled with stuff like this using work around and radial extrusions...so this looks like it wil be a great help and time saver.

[eTraxx]

Yep. Figured it was worth sharing. If you look at this link to my blog .. scroll down to where it says "Outer Skin" .. and you can see it just consists of selecting each of the circles, the path and clicking the tool. That easy.

http://etraxx.com/sbs/sketchup/cowl-ventilator/cowl-ventilator-iv/

[eTraxx]

I placed the order with Shapeways for the Cowl Ventilators on the 23rd .. and just got an email this morning that they are in-route! Wowzier .. 5 days from placing the order to shipping. I am impressed Shapeways!!

[eTraxx]

Here's how it comes from Shapeways. The smallest ventilators are in a separate baggie. The larger bag was inside a box packed with styrofoam nuggets.
The photos below are how they came from the company. I haven't cleaned them yet but they are pretty clean of the wax support material as they are. I will still clean them though using Bestine.


This is the largest Cowl Ventilator. The cowl is 0.876 O.D. and the trunk is 0.438 O.D. with a 0.340 O.D. 'stud'. The 0.438 and 0.340 dimensions are those of Evergreen #234 tubing. This will allow making the trunk as long as needed.


This is the medium sized cowl ventilator. The cowl is 0.688 O.D. and the trunk is 0.344 O.D. with a 0.288 O.D. stud. The 0.344 O.D and 0.288 O.D. dimensions match Evergreen #231 tubing so the trunk can be made as long as needed.


This is the smallest cowl ventilator (N scale). The cowl is 0.250 O.D. and the trunk is 0.125 O.D. with a 0.069 O.D. stud. The 0.125 O.D. and 0.069 O.D. dimensions match Evergreen #224 tubing so the trunk can be made as long as needed.
(Excuse the rough looking fingers. I was out earlier putting brake drums and shoes on my truck)


Finally, a photo with all three grouped together with a nickel. I'll take some more photos after I have cleaned and primered them but I wanted to get these photos out now.

[finescalerr]

The parts seem to be free of artifacts. The surfaces may be a little grainy (it's hard to tell) but I'm not seeing rings or steps or other resolution related problems. -- Russ