3D Printing of Shells

[riggelweg]

So, I was over at The Reading Modeler, and there is a thread that announced a Reading RDC shell for sale. I didn't think too much of it, although it is interesting.

Tonight I was rereading the thread, and now I understand what's going on. This is really exciting for all modelers.

Some fellow created a CAD drawing of a Reading RDC shell in N scale. He uploaded the CAD drawing to www.shapeways.com. A customer can order one of the shells from his page on that website, and the company that runs that website will 3D print it!

What is truly amazing is that anyone with CAD abilities can create CAD files for anything railroad related and then upload them to that site for sale.

Can you imagine the possibilities? This could really be revolutionary.

[riggelweg]

Here is what I am talking about:

www.shapeways.com/shops/ihphobby

You go to this page, select the shell you want made, and then select the material you want it made from. The company then prints it.

[alco539]

Riggelweg, the other forums, "Railwire", etc. have had a few threads on this subject, you might what to check it out (called FUD). Don't ask me what FUD is, because I have researched the shapeways site and the net and can't find it. The generic term to describe the process is stereo lithography. It's really not that new, and was discussed at length ten or so years ago in Discover magazine. However, the price of the machines have come down low enough to be affordable for small companies. It's a cool process, but has it's faults. The technology is good, but not quite up to what the people want for N scale trains. They discuss a fault called "cake layering" which results in lines on surfaces that should to be flat. Most of it looks good to me, but then I'm not a "rivet counter". Regards Charley

[Bill Kepner]

I just received my first PRR E44 electric shell www.shapeways.com/model/554194/ne4405-n-scale-e44-loco-4414-rebuilt.html

It is really nicely done, much detail, way better the the version I tried to scratchbuild years ago.

One rumor is that if you drop it, it will shatter like glass. Not about to try that.

Bill Kepner

[umtrrauthor]

I assume that FUD doesn't mean Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt in this case!

I've always wanted an E-44-- I grew up watching them in Jersey City-- and my thought was that it will never happen in N Scale. (My dad has a brass model in HO Scale.)

I'm assuming that the set of pantographs are not included with the offering on Shapeways , correct?

[riggelweg]

Jun 5, 2012 16:01:04 GMT -8 @Bill Kepner said:

I just received my first PRR E44 electric shell www.shapeways.com/model/554194/ne4405-n-scale-e44-loco-4414-rebuilt.html

It is really nicely done, much detail, way better the the version I tried to scratchbuild years ago.

One rumor is that if you drop it, it will shatter like glass. Not about to try that.

Bill Kepner

Looks really nice. I really do think that this brings manufacturing within the grasp of the hobbyist.