Hi Guys,
I'm wondering if it is time for a 3D printing forum on Railwire?
Seems to me that 3D printing will become increasingly important to model railroaders, especially in the smaller scales. In the many decades I've been in N scale, I'd call 3D printing a serious game changer. We're all well aware of examples where scratchbbuilding is the only option for modeling an item because no manufacturer will ever mass produce it, or there is one model produced and we can forget about variations. 3D costs will likely continue to come down and printing capability will become more accessible as there is a strong demand for personal printing systems. One of the huge benefits is the ability to print as few as one part, something traditional manufacturers can't touch.
One of the things I like about the Railwire is the way the forums are segmented. (My favorite happens to be the Engineering Reports forum). Looking at the diverse range of cool railroading items that can be made with 3D printing, the learning curve that goes with it, and that 3D printing is independent of modeling scale , I think it could be time to make a 3D printing forum on Railwire to aggregate 3D threads in their own space.
Right now, 3D threads appear whereever the poster puts them. They are simply scattered around the various forums. If you believe that 3D printing will become an important factor, giving 3D printing threads a focus defines an key audience which has the potential to draw in more people and encourage more modelers to go down the 3D path. The 3D forum would be a great repository for folks to share tips and tricks making it a more valuable method for everyone.
I also suggest that 3D printing is distinct from the Weathering, Detailing, Scratchbuilding Forum which is about techniques the modeler applies themself. 3D printing, on the other hand, is really about a new form of manufacturing. Quite frankly, manufacturers should be all over this new mode as it will increasingly represent significant competition as modelers divert some of their budget to purchase 3D printed models that the manufacturers don't and/or won't and/or can't offer.
So over to you. I imagine you have website analytics to track how visitors flow to each of the forums and you'll be able to track the level and growth in interest. I think it would be a good development and I hope you agree.
Cheers,
Coxy
PS.The new forum could potentially focus more generally on "Short Run Production" techniques such as 3D printing, Metal etching, (eg. Ed's excellent coupler box thread) Molding, Decals etc. So maybe it could be the "Short Run Production Forum" - 3D Printing, Metal Etching, Molding, Decals etc.
