Large Scale Central

3D Printing Service

Modeling Technical Modeling
#1

While you guys are discussing copying and libraries, I hope you have checked out Shapeways, a printing service that maintains a library of objects. They have prices next to them, so I assume you can ask Shapeways to make one for you.

If you look in the ‘Miniatures’ section, you’ll find Model Trains. There is a mind-bogging array of products that people have drawn in 3D and printed. Unfortunately their site has a lousy search engine, so it is tough to fin the fun stuff.http://www.shapeways.com/miniatures/model-trains?li=nav Would you believe a G-scale boxcar body, complete, for only $682 ?

#2

Hmm, $682 for appears to be an LGB boxcar body clone? I guess that pretty much answers the question of “what’s to keep people from copying a commercial product?”

Later,

K

#3

Kevin Strong said:

Hmm, $682 for appears to be an LGB boxcar body clone? I guess that pretty much answers the question of “what’s to keep people from copying a commercial product?”

Later,

K

Maybe someone can explain how the Shapeways pricing works? Does the originator of the design get to pick the ‘sell’ price for subsequent copies?

#4

WOW a lot of good stuff for the small scales!

#5

Pete
It is by the volume of the part. The originator gives shapways their permission to sell the said part.

#6

Hans-Joerg Mueller said:

WOW a lot of good stuff for the small scales!

There’s probably a lot of stuff for large scale, but their search engine isn’t very good. And the owners call them variously: “large scale”, G-scale", “Fn3”, etc., etc. No keywords or feedback system.

#7

Cliff Jennings said:

Rodney Edington said:
Pete It is by the volume of the part. The originator gives shapways their permission to sell the said part.

Rodney’s correct, it’s by volume. The trick to make larger pieces affordable is for the modeler to thin things up and hollow things out as much as possible, leaving internal strengthening members were appropriate. But that not only takes time, it’s not always possible or practical, especially with (say) steel box cars.

It’s those big expanses of solid material that kill you in 3d “printing” (they used to call it “rapid prototyping”).

What would be really cool, for older-period modelers, is if someone modeled the frame elements only, and let the builder supply the wood planks (or sheet metal, for that matter) – like back in the olden days, with kits. Just a thought.

Cliff

#8

How easy is it to scale say an N scale part to 1:20.3 part?

#9

With prices like that then “scale” rail manufacturers will NOT be out of business very soon…equally, the plastic the 3D people use, has not had a good test outdoors yet…will it last in weather extremes…? go brittle? warp?

#10

The one I have has a .15mm resolution per a layer.