3D printing question

Dan,

I don't know about 3D printing, but that cute little guy, riding that cute train, are both GREAT!

Ralph.

Anything is possible. How much are you willing to spend?

If you have access to a spare chassis/wheel set it would be faster, easier, cheaper to scratch build a replica from this stuff:

 

corrugated styrene sheet

 

It comes in different thicknesses which affect the stiffness.  We just bought 6mm sheet for mounting posters for conferences.  4mm can be easily curved and you can go with 8mm-10mm if you need something that's rigid.  It was $30 for a 4'x8' sheet and we cut it up with a utility knife and "dressed" the cut edges with a  Dremel that was variable speed.  Stuff can be glued/painted.

 

I've never seen a 3D printer that could make something that large as a single object and I'd hate to think of how much it would cost in materials to try and print something that big.

That is prohibitably large to print in an economical way. Old fashioned fabrication is the way to go. There may be a large scale live steam product that may fit the bill. There was a toy box caboose that alot of live steamers were converting to cabooses for their ride ons. My advise is to ask those boards.

Yes, it can be done.  I am not the expert: I bought a Makerbot relicator 2.0 this past chrimstas and gave it to my son, who is the family expert, but he is slowly teaching me.  

 

Once you have a file to make anything at some scale, there is software to re-scale it.  However, it is not quite that simple - actually, its not simple at all.  Often your have to do alot more.  For example, if you had, say, an N-gauge caboose file, it might be set up to print the entire caboose in as one object (probably hollow or honeycombed inside to save plastic).  Scaled up to G size, the caboose might be too large/require too much plastic.  Normally that size, even O guage, you would make the sides, ends, roof as pieces and glue together.  Converting the one smaller N gauge file to flat pieces would not necessarily be easy.  This is just an example of the types of problems you get into.

 

The bigger question might be, do you have a file to print this caboose at any scale?  There is software that would allow you to "draw" what you want (sides, ends, chassis, roof), etc., and there are scanners that you can buy that you would put the caboose in and they would scan and create a raw file for you to begin work with (they cost a lot).  Either way, the software is non-trivial to use -b est to take a course in it. 

Printing that is possible, but might not be the best idea. If it were for my kid, I'd either go with the styrene sheet already mentioned or PVC pipe framing with well-sanded and sealed lightweight wood over it (thin tongue and groove of the kind you can get in packets for wainscoting should be enough.) You'd want your caboose to be strong and light, unlikely to break with rough play or to leave sharp pieces if it does happen to break. There isn't a huge amount of detail on the one you're thinking of. Small PVC would be a decent, cheap, safe way to build the handrails, too, possibly with the appropriate size of dowel rod tucked inside for extra strength outside the corners.

 

--Becky

The latest issue of Garden Railways has an article on 3D printing.

You have to disassemble and 3D scan all the parts first to create a data base.

 

Then the data for the parts can be scaled-up or scaled-down for the 3D printer.

 

 

Andrew

 

Falcon Service

Cost would be a biggy.....I was looking at a small space ship to be printed by Shapeways and at about 16 inches long by 3 inches wide and tall, much smaller than the caboose, was over $100. I think you could build it conventionally for less than that.

Walk-in 3D printshops have been springing up in the Los Angeles area. You walk in with your piece and they can scan it, alter size and then print it in your choice of color. Don't know if this helps you. Might want to do a search to find the nearest shop to you.

This gets to the important point.  I have a 3-D printer.  I know it could be done but I could not because I would have to scan the existing caboose with a 3-D laser scanner don't have one) and use software to build the print file (don't know how).  People who have that equipment and knowledge cost a lot.  

 

A much better approach: scratch build a model in the scale you want.  If you can't do it, people who can are much less expensive to hire than folks who can do the 3-D printer stuff.  

Another issue not mentioned yet:

The build area in most 3D printers is very limited.

I have one on order with a 8" cube build area and it is considered a phenomenal deal at $600 retail. I paid 33% less by pre-ordering a long ways in advance.

 

Still, The size of the parts is going to factor in to cost of the printing heavily.

I use 3d cad for my profession, and I have had some items 3-d Printed.  I know a lot of people that use google sketch up ( a free cad program).  I have used it, but I am so use to the cad software I use at work I would rather use those programs.  I think the better way of going with your project is not using the 3-d printer route, but going with altering an existing car and making the top out of plywood.

Hi Dan

I am building a 4 wheel bobber in 5.5" gauge for my grandsons Casey. It uses wheels and couplers from an ebay seller, while I did computer plans and am fabricating from model plywood and other laser cut parts.  I will post a picture when painted. Caboose is 75 % finished at this point.

Bob

Please post photos of your caboose when you are done.I would really like to see what you made.The short lived Mighty Casey line doesn't seem complete without a caboose.

" if it is possible to scale up a G scale caboose about 50% to match the size of the Mighty Casey train set"

 

   3D printing is very expensive for something that size and would still just be a plastic model. That's a wooden caboose and would come out much nicer if you just measured it and scaled it up then built it from wood and metal hardware. You might have to 3D print some parts like brake equipment, etc but most of the metal parts could be fabricated from wire and sheet material. The pedestals that hold the axle bearings would be the most critical things and maybe could be bought from a live steam company, or cast from a 3D printed master? ........DaveB 

I want to learn about 3D printing.  I saw a program on TV last month where a guy copied a receiver for an M-16, put it in the gun and it worked.  I think the future of our hobby may be 3D.  

I have used a 3-D printer, with AutoCAD. The software is just as important as is the quality of the printer. You can try AutoCAD for free. Must have a PC.

Free AutoCAD by Autodesk

Gary

  • Cheers from The Detroit and Mackinac Railway, Click artwork to enlarge.

 

Also check & search You Tube for: Tutorials for Beginners, about 3-D Printers & Software.Their is a lot out to find and learn.

I teach how to use AutoCAD and Inventor at the high school level. This year's class project is going to be "Design & Build your own railroad car". I'm buying the Lionel diecast sprung trucks and my students have to draw up all of the parts in Inventor, 3D print them out, and assemble all of the parts. They can research an existing railroad car past/present, or create one from the future. At the end of the project I will have 18 O gauge railroad cars that were 3D printed by my students.

I took a CAD class last year. I thought my teacher was good! You're class sounds way more fun!