Three Dimensional Printing to Masses

This 3-D printing is a real wonder to me.  Our local paper's Tech section just featured a consumer information article on these.  This is a marvelous age we live in.

Micro-Mark has a 3D printer on the cover of it's Holiday 2014 catalog. Capable of making an object approximately 8"x 8"x 8". It's a kit from Velleman. Ad copy states for experienced craftsmen- 30+ hours to assemble. Requires computer(Mac/Windows/Linux) to run it. List $800, MM's price 725$. Plastic filament comes in 7 colors, 1 kilo reel per color, $38 per reel.

I guess it would be useful for prototyping structures or parts of structures---

Only the very high dollar 3D printers print in a resolution good enough to make fine details on small models. Check out 'Shapeways' website as to the work they can do......but the machines they use are many years away from being at a price for home use.

Until laser cutters broke the $10K mark they were industrial only......now I have one at home. But a decent machine is still expensive. 3D printers that create ready to use fine detailed models are still not here. 

Remember also you need to know how to create the artwork needed to feed these machines or buy the artwork from a vendor. I tried to learn the software....gave up for now.....too many other things I want to do yet.

The 3d laser scan of people is a great idea. I just hope I can photo shop my abs back to their previous state. No more painting the same exact people 12 different ways. The most obscure of actions easily duplicated. Can hardly wait for the price drops.

Look at this Dremel thread, and their offering at H.Depot trainroomgary listed https://ogrforum.com/t...86#38314880738197986

True, 3D printers are pricey and you need good software to make the file you print from.

I have a 3D printer on order (early order- beta time) that cost me $400 with a 8' x 8" x 8" build area, <0.004" accuracy, heated platform and full enclosure, Not a kit, a completed unit.

Production units will go for $499 + shipping.

Since I do 3D modeling at work I have the software already. I use Solidworks and it is very pricey. I am eagerly awaiting delivery of my printer.

I saw that 8" cubed number somewhere else....and a 40' O scale box car side is 10".

I guess you could gin out sides for a 30' caboose, if the software can be set to do a

reverse of one side, after doing the opposite, or would this technology be able to do

a solid caboose, as the figurines appear to be?   I was just in Staples getting building

logos printed and they were peddling assorted printed solid objects, so I was asking

if you could bring stuff in to get it printed, and, no, they just custom print the stuff

they sell....caps, clothing, paperweights, etc.  But I wonder if the next step could be...

The Solidoodle 4 3D Printer retails for $599.00 and is NOT a kit that you need to assemble for all of those hours. Check it out on Solidoodle.com

John Knapp

Erie, not Eerie

Colorado hirailer

I was not planning on printing entire cars. I'm looking to make the added details for this and other hobbies.

My prints of RR cars (If Any) will be hollowed out to save massive amounts of print material. I doubt I can print the entire (short cars only) car in one go, So I'd do the walls and roof as 2 parts (or more). Making the roof span the gap is likely to create sags in the roof line.

Most cars will have to be multiple parts glued together for length.