3D Printed PRR E6 shell on a 392E frame. Tender also 3D printed.

That looks awesome I haven't tried anything that detailed yet on my printer  Where did you get the file or did you draw it up yourself?

Gary

Please fill us in on your 3D printer specs and what post-printing procedures you did to the shell

Jim, that is beautiful!! That would look great pulling a string of the John Daniel PRR heavyweights!

John

What is the material? Any idea of the economics?

is 3D printing in the train manufacturers  future?

It would be sensational MTH create new low volume models such as your E-6 without the cost of die cast or stamping tooling for the body components, They could use existing mechanisms or possibly add some new wheel arrangements for both steam and electric.

Could we see a standard gauge GG-1 or a Pacific?

Jim

We need a Camelback, Camelback, Camelback.......

Great piece of work! I was watching some 3D metal printing videos recently - I think the end of die-cast is on the way.

Wow!  I have no ties to the original standard gauge, so I judge them objectively on their own merits.  This blows the original skinny, rat-faced 392E away!  The proportions are at least as good as the American Flyer 4692 Atlantic, which I always found attractive and realistic (for the era.)

If I were in Standard Gauge, I would pay handsomely for one of these.  Or maybe you could offer to download the .cad file for a few dollars, and let folks make their own.

I've seen 3D printing and CNC milling discussed on modeling forums but this is the first time I've seen a meaningful result.  It's a game-changer that will no doubt open a lot of doors.  Thank  you for your hard work, and for sharing it on the Forum!!

beautiful!!

Wow! So cool! 

While chasses will still be a problem, when somebody offers custom O gauge 3d bodies for McKeen cars, logging engines, branch line cabooses, and a continuing long list, l need the address so l can send the money.  There is probably a factory chassis for the cabbed Rock Island Colorado Springs branch B unit.

Nice work Jim...

Amazing! 

Jim, you are now the KING of 3D!  That is snazzy! Perfect proportions, I love it!

old_toymaker posted:

That looks awesome I haven't tried anything that detailed yet on my printer  Where did you get the file or did you draw it up yourself?

Gary

I bought the model from a young man who is very good at modelling. Send me a note if you want to contact him. I can't give away his work, but you can negotiate with him. One other MR has contacted him, I offered to send the model as modified by me to fit on the 392E frame (his model is the full boiler, it needs to be cut to fit, and the boiler front and cab printed as separate parts then joined.

Jim

Jim Z posted:

What is the material? Any idea of the economics?

is 3D printing in the train manufacturers  future?

It would be sensational MTH create new low volume models such as your E-6 without the cost of die cast or stamping tooling for the body components, They could use existing mechanisms or possibly add some new wheel arrangements for both steam and electric.

Could we see a standard gauge GG-1 or a Pacific?

Jim

 

 

This particular engine shell and the tender are a type of plastic called PLA. It takes some sanding and finishing to get a good smooth finish once printed.

Funny you should ask about the GG1 and Pacific: I have models for a GG1 shell and the 'core' that would go inside if it's aluminum cast. My plan (later this year probably), is to print these out and make castable patterns for the shell and a box to make the core. Then my foundry can cast the shell in aluminum.

I have had drivers made up already for 6 locos - engine will be about 30" long, a little longer and narrower than the 'Gold Standard' Hendrichs model. Drive components will be similar to that engine, so it will be strong smootth and powerful.

I have also printed a PRR K4 shell on my printer (same author as the E6), and a high side tender, have yet to build a mechanism. Will use the standard Lionel drivers. Waiting on the 'Keisel' (some call it Delta) trailing truck model from another designer.  I don't have the 'core' model for the inside of this shell, so don't have the means to cast it. Someday - maybe next year or so.

Jim

CJ Meyers posted:

Please fill us in on your 3D printer specs and what post-printing procedures you did to the shell

CJ

I use a 'Creality CR-10' printer, it can print 12 by 12 by 15" of volume. I printed the shell vertically, with cab and boilerfront printed along side (one run, about 50 hours).  After printing, some modification of the frame needs to be done (grinding away a little of the frame where the 392E cab went - if was 'sloped).

Cab, boiler and boiler front are glued together.

The keystone on the front was also printed- if you look closely you can see the raised numbers of the engine and the keystone edges.  A very generous modeller provided me the 3d models.

Wet sanding of all surfaces, then high fill primer and more sanding.

Drill 2 holes through top of boiler, tap into frame where the bolts go,

Paint and finish.

Lettering done on a vinyl printer, very crisp, no decal film. Local library Maker Lab has the vinyl cutter.

Jim

NJCJOE posted:

We need a Camelback, Camelback, Camelback.......

Joe - one of these days.

A PRR T1 and maybe an Aerotrain may be next (after the GG1 and K4!). Also working on PRR B1 and P5 boxcab locos. B1 shell and sideframes are printed, gotta machine the frame for it.

Firewood posted:

Great piece of work! I was watching some 3D metal printing videos recently - I think the end of die-cast is on the way.

Keep in mind - the 3D printing is SLOW. Much finishing work required. A good tool for making patterns though, then castings can be made.

Die cast is the only way if there is appreciable demand.

Jim

colorado hirailer posted:

While chasses will still be a problem, when somebody offers custom O gauge 3d bodies for McKeen cars, logging engines, branch line cabooses, and a continuing long list, l need the address so l can send the money.  There is probably a factory chassis for the cabbed Rock Island Colorado Springs branch B unit.

Check with Joe Mania on the McKeen car. He has the RichArt tooling for the engine and the trailer car. Maybe some bodies too. He is a master, and if demand is there, he may make a run and figure out the drive. Ira Keeler is making a very nice single axle drive, may be a possibility. (If you search on here, you may find some photos of Arno's set)

Jim

BlueComet400 posted:

Jim, that is beautiful!! That would look great pulling a string of the John Daniel PRR heavyweights!

 

John

I bid on a set - got SNIPED at the end! You are right, though, they would look great.

Might have to settle for a repainted set of Stephen Girard cars.

Jim

Ted S posted:

Wow!  I have no ties to the original standard gauge, so I judge them objectively on their own merits.  This blows the original skinny, rat-faced 392E away!  The proportions are at least as good as the American Flyer 4692 Atlantic, which I always found attractive and realistic (for the era.)

If I were in Standard Gauge, I would pay handsomely for one of these.  Or maybe you could offer to download the .cad file for a few dollars, and let folks make their own.

I've seen 3D printing and CNC milling discussed on modeling forums but this is the first time I've seen a meaningful result.  It's a game-changer that will no doubt open a lot of doors.  Thank  you for your hard work, and for sharing it on the Forum!!

Would be glad to share the email address of the CAD designer who did the shell and tender. Another fellow did the trucks, but I'm looking for some metal ones to replace - these are the right trucks for the K4 (which I also printed the shell for, just haven't finished it yet) .

Jim

Jim Waterman posted:

BlueComet400 posted:

Jim, that is beautiful!! That would look great pulling a string of the John Daniel PRR heavyweights!

 

John

I bid on a set - got SNIPED at the end! You are right, though, they would look great.

Might have to settle for a repainted set of Stephen Girard cars.

Jim

 

I have a 4-car set and am still chasing the diner. Just before Christmas one was on ebay and I got SNIPED too. 

Right now I pull them with my 392E but that E6 would really make a difference. 

John

Jim Waterman: Beautiful!

Jim Z: I agree with you that MTH should consider this for the future of their Standard Gauge line. 

This type of manufacturing might be more acceptable to the Prewar enthusiast than for those who won't accept anything but diecast and brass for steam engines.

Jim,

Wonderful locomotive!!  

Any chance you could tweek and lengthen your design into a Milwaukee Road Northern?

Bob Nelson

>> This particular engine shell and the tender are a type of plastic called PLA. It takes some sanding and finishing to get a good smooth finish once printed. <<

Great job, Jim!

Please permit me to make a suggestion, if I may. You might try using acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) copolymer in place of polylactic acid (PLA) if you are able. Two reasons: (1) one can smooth the surface finish of a printed part made of ABS by exposure to acetone vapor and save a lot of time sanding; and (2) the properties of PLA will degrade in contact with humidity and moisture over time ... ABS's will not. The principal use of PLA is in the application of biodegradable packaging and it is intended to purposely degrade over time via the mechanism of polymer chain scission (i.e., its molecular weight decreases). Also, it is important to keep PLA filament dry for the same reason to prevent filament breaks.

Again, neat job. Enjoy!

Bob