3D Printers and Print Files

Thingverse.com has a lot of 3d files for trains and some accessories.  It seems that most are either G or HO with a few O.  But with the software you use to convert to G-code for printing you have the ability to scale to 1/48.

Marty

I'm also looking for a good source of O scale 3D files. Thingverse just doesn't have the depth and variety I expected to see.  And if anyone is already using a 3D scanner, please share your experiences!

Dale

i have been asked this question several times by those who have recently purchased a printer, I have had a 3D laser printer for a few years. I have designed and made a lot of things; the problem is that I don't have a catalog. i make stuff as I need to. A lot of times it takes multiple versions to get it right. And even when I do sometimes I discard the model entirely for something different.  

Right now I am working on a station platform to fit around a 072 curve. It's a curved station platform that will transition into a straight platform. The platform has a curved roof, that  is LED lighted via a 3D printed LED light fixture housing. The roof is supported to a height for Bi-level cars. There are about a dozen different parts that are both laser cut and 3D printed integrated. So how can I catalog it or offer it?

3d printing is a good way to build what you want if you cant find it on the usual market (or for a good price!) there is a few programs that allow you to manually "scale" objects so with a bit of math you can turn a HO sized thing into any other scale.  Personally I use Tinkercad (online and free).  Simple to use even for some inorganic shapes, scaling is even easier.  I have built many a model on that program (but actually printing them off will have to wait till I fix my printer!)

I would like to get my hands on a 3D scanner. I've used one but I didn't own it and now I have to break out the calipers and draw it up manually. I didn't realize the price on scanners had come down though! I'll have to do some research. 

 

Rather than create 3 d files for these though, I think it would be easiest to scan them with a 3d scanner. These look to be plentiful for less than $100. Might be my next purchase.

 

 Where have you found a good 3D scanner for $100?  I've been looking and good ones seem to be right around $700.

I agree, that until you get in to the 500 and up in price you won't be able to get a good enough model for what we do. And if it is a very simple model then it might be easier to reverse engineer it and build your own model in CAD (that is of course if you know how and can use CAD) Even if you get a fairly good scan it still may have to be modified or repaired in a CAD system before being able to 3D print.

I thought I had received a promotional email right after ordering the Elegoo that had inexpensive 3d scanners. But that must have been for something else because I sure can't find anything like that now. As stated above, it looks like they start around $600 and go up to over 20K! Yikes!  So we will leave that alone for now. Sorry for the misinformation.

@DylTrains posted:

3d printing is a good way to build what you want if you cant find it on the usual market (or for a good price!) there is a few programs that allow you to manually "scale" objects so with a bit of math you can turn a HO sized thing into any other scale.  Personally I use Tinkercad (online and free).  Simple to use even for some inorganic shapes, scaling is even easier.  I have built many a model on that program (but actually printing them off will have to wait till I fix my printer!)

Just wondering if anyone knows of a repository for railroad related 3 d files, HO size or any other. I checked Thingiverse and Grabcad but did not find much of anything there.

@Bossman284 posted:

 Where have you found a good 3D scanner for $100?  I've been looking and good ones seem to be right around $700.

Bossman; can you share the make and model of scanner you referenced for $700?

Thanks, Rod

Here you go.  Only did quick search and this one had some good reviews:

https://www.amazon.com/EinScan...598377818&sr=8-8

@sidehack posted:

I agree, that until you get in to the 500 and up in price you won't be able to get a good enough model for what we do. And if it is a very simple model then it might be easier to reverse engineer it and build your own model in CAD (that is of course if you know how and can use CAD) Even if you get a fairly good scan it still may have to be modified or repaired in a CAD system before being able to 3D print.

Yes. Plus, if you make a real model (rather than just a scanned facsimile) you can easily modify it, tweak it to make variants, use it as a component of a bigger model, etc. These things are possible with a scanned model, but it is a lot harder. 

Yes, it takes some work to learn solid modeling, but the payoff is huge.

@Bossman284 posted:

Here you go.  Only did quick search and this one had some good reviews:

https://www.amazon.com/EinScan...598377818&sr=8-8

Actually that appears to be only the tripod and turntable for the Ein Scan Pro scanner. The scanner itself is about 4K more! Also they are currently out of stock it appears.

Rod

If you need specific things, just learn how to draw them. There's lots of free CAD programs that arent too difficult to pick up. If you need something real advanced, chances are its on Shapeways, not a free site. A lot of designers are willing to re-scale items if they're posted on there in another scale. If its something you can download, then just convert it in whatever slicer you're using to print.

I needed pilot mounted ditch lights.... I drew ditch lights. Took me the better part of an afternoon, but they dont otherwise exist, and now I've got what I need.

. 

Nice ditch lights; ok if you want the hinged lens cover part to move and open; you need to separate the hinge parts by 0.02 inches that includes the pin; then print.  the resulting print will have movable  lens cover that rotates about the pin. 

Because the 3D printer prints exact dimensions working hinges becomes possible.

I heard rumblings that smart phones would gain the ability to "3D" scan and export a file that could be used to make gcode. I don't know how it was done and I probably won't look for an article because a set of calipers has been my method. It's tedious but worth it.

@Avanti is right. I modeled a ladle for a steel mill. That ladle was able to be transferred to an assembly to check fitment for a baler (bailer?) to lift it. Both of those were able to be transferred into another assembly to see how they looked in the model structure. It's rewarding to be able to model in 3D CAD. Access to a program can be rough though. 

I use Rhino6.  Before that I used Tinkercad and 123Design.

but it really doesn't matter which program you use to get an .STL file.

ROD- I can help you design a model for you to build; just need dimensions in decimal inches not fractions.

@AlanRail posted:

I use Rhino6.  Before that I used Tinkercad and 123Design.

but it really doesn't matter which program you use to get an .STL file.

ROD- I can help you design a model for you to build; just need dimensions in decimal inches not fractions.

 

Alan, thank you for the kind offer. I guess I need to figure out an item or two to print, and go from there. Our weather is still quite nice here, but in a few weeks as it cools off and we spend more time indoors, I should get more time on this stuff. 

Thanks, Rod