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These are pictures of an autocarrier ramp that I am finishing with my 3D printer. The pictures are incomplete as they do not show the edge fencing, pinning, most of the linkages and the deck plates.

After I put together the ramp completely I will post it with the .STL files that can be used to print the ramp. (NO Copyright claimed copy freely.) There are over 35 parts that were printed. The linkages  and the wheels shown were printed such that they rotate about the link points and axles.

HOWEVER, after I partially assembled the ramp I set it up with  Lionel Autocarriers having opening end doors. I noticed that there is a gap between the cars so  that if these were lined up end to end the autos would need to "fly over the gap". Then I saw that inside the autocarrier there are base slots on each floor level that appear to be used for some kind of slider to extend the inside ramps and lock the autocarrier together so that they do not shift while autos are moving across. Lionel forgot to include those sliders and locks with the cars. So the last photo is a 3D print of a slider/lock that fits into the existing floor slots and will slide out of the autocarrier under the floor to bridge the gaps between cars and for my autocarrier ramp.

Maybe Lionel will decide to make some; if not I will add that .stl file to the others.

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BUY ONE!  My idea was not to sell them but instead to provide 3D model .STL files so that anyone can MAKE ONE. Clearly, you need a 3D printer to make one, but SHAPEWAYS (http://www.shapeways.com/) does provide a service that will make them from .STL files.

I am not copyrighting any of my designs they are to be used and copied freely. Further, what I hope is that you will take the .STL file, refined the design and make it better! Also, I will provide the 123D Design files to make this easier.

This Forum and others have greatly enriched my interest in the hobby. This is my way of paying it forward and giving something back.

 

25 Microns although this was printed with a 50 micron (0.0019685 inch) resolution. Resin is made by FormLabs, the printer maker, (they seem to enjoy a vertical monopoly.)

At 1/4 scale a 1 -1/2" pipe is .03125" which is the smallest diameter that is printable and strong enough to retain its shape. However, details can show smaller bolts if attached to a larger surface.

Take a look at the propane tank next to the seat; see the pipe coming out, this is hard to see above.

This shows some of the details a 50mu.

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I just looked at your printer. It's a seriously cool one. Laser-cured resin is getting in with he big boys which is why you're able to get 25 microns. Thread laying machines just can't get there. Have you looked at the system developed by that chemist using light cured resin with an oxygen barrier. It prints entire slices at once using photolithographic methods and is 20 to 100 times faster than raster type machines. There's now a startup making them for industry. The secret is the resins. Some are engineering resins which can be used directly as working parts and that can be sterilized. They're holding the license close to their vests and the cost is in the $30k range. That being said, the technology can be scaled down considerably and could be a fabulous desktop unit. The graphics packages simply have to project and entire slice at one time into the resin (like a cat scan). The company is Carbon 3D http://www.carbon3d.com. Part of the cost is the control system that provides the oxygen interface. If you aren't familiar with it, check it out.

These printers will one day print resin in RGB color as well. I imagine that the printers laser will strike the resin at different wavelengths causing the resin to solidify in different colors. That will be the day!  

The speed of printing is an issue as some of these prints took more than 5 hours to print. The speed is dependent on the number of layers printed. So the Carbon3D printer that prints entire layers at a time instead of points will certainly save time.

Right now the cost of a Carbon3D is 10 times the cost of the FormLabs 2. So I'll wait.

 

OK  so I changed the design to relocate the fencing to the sides and attached ( as part of the build) the tread plates to the frames. (The lines within in the back end of tread plates is an optical illusion created by the complex mesh.) This re-design gives a bit more room for the cars and is closer to the real loader.

 

I changed the  auto-carrier's inner ramps to flip-down ramps to more closely resemble the actual ramping within the "real" auto-carrier cars. The back end ramp slides into the notches on the Lionel Auto-carriers (with opening doors).

Looking into some sort of hydraulic piston to raise and lower the end ramps; sort of like the Lionel  bulldozer shovel. 

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Last edited by AlanRail

Very very fine work you did!! 

You wrote in my thread "SUPERLINER" you can print for me if I had . stl files; I see in this thread that you made perforated ramps that my "3D guy" can't make because his 3D printer is not enough high performance; my perforated walkways are for a well car and look like your ramps; that's why I ask you this question!

You can email me (mail adress is in my profile) if you want.

Thanks in advance

 

jpv in France

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