3d printing doesn't suck so bad anymore

[HuskerN]

So I have noticed that the quality of Shapeways printing is becoming very good and consistent.  Of course, I have also learned to design things to compensate for some of the limitations of the process as well.  I wanted to share some photos of my recent 53' reefer model to illustrate just how cleanly these designs are being delivered to me.  Just curious is others are seeing the same results.









HuskerN
www.nscaleaddiction.blogspot.com

[C855B]

Hmmm... so that's FUD? Looks immensely better than the FUD I received, oh, six months ago. I'm mid-project on a couple of FUD loco bodies, and the difference from what you're showing is enough to make me scrap what I'm working on - mostly clean-up at this point - and just get new output.

[Jamesn320]

On Average all of mine have been getting much better com paired to when I started. I thinks Shapeways have invested some time in tuning the equipment and training staff.

I recently did some O scale stuff in FUD and FD and they came out very well.

Your trucks and trailers are looking fantastic!

James

[GimpLizard]

I was at a Maker Fair, in Goshen IN, this past weekend. It was strictly 3D printing. There was a guy there with a open-source SLA printer using DLP technology. I was amazed at the fine detail he was able to print. And what looked like - to my naked eye, anyway - a complete lack of any layers. While I can't say his prints were "glass" smooth... they sure looked to be awfully close to it. And I looked real hard... AND real close.

The build size was only 5.04"(X), 3.15"(Y), and 7.09"(Z), though. Still, the only problem, for me at least, was the $2000 cost for a kit. He has a less expensive model that uses a laser. But I don't know if the detail would be as fine with it. His company is called mUVe 3D. (http://www.muve3d.net/press/)

[PiperguyUMD]

I think there are probably a combination of things at play here, but Shapeways is certainly improving. I also think that we are learning how to get the most out of out prints. When I minimize the amount of small details, the print surface goes way up. Less fine details like rivets, louvers, handrails, grab irons, and horns cause the quality of the surface around them to deteriorate. Additionally these items are fragile and IF they survive shipping they do not survive the amount of work it takes to clean up the surfaces around them.  Adding these parts after the Bestine soak, a coat of primer and some gentle wet sanding brings the quality of the model to previously unreached levels in 3D printing.  Those of you who have seen my WM Potomac thread know that I have recently discovered a primer called Mr Surfacer. This stuff I a miracle worker!  It comes in 3 different "grits" 500, 1000, and 1200. It has an agent in it that repairs minor surface inconsistencies as it dries. It is the holy grail for 3D models. In all seriousness, if you've been holding out waiting for the print quality to improve, now is the time to check it out. With  Shapeway's recent improvements and Mr Surfacer primers, if you can't get a satisfactory surface now, I don't think you ever will!

[James Costello]

I was a couple of hours of work away from making a similar post to @HuskerN so I'll just add my 2 cents.

Being a diehard intermodal fan I foamed at the mouth when I saw John had a 53' Utility reefer trailer for print via his Shapeways store. I've watched his truck design evolve and I didn't let the lack of Bestine here in Oz stop me from grabbing a reefer trailer and a couple of his 28' UPS straight vans to experiment with. Even though I have an earlier version than he shows above, his design work is top notch. I love the separate rear door that has the distinctive Utility barrier beams but also opens up lots of variability and interchangeability in other designs. The print on the door is awesome - as it is printed flat - but it is also cleaner than the roof. The parts all press-fit together with minimal clean up.

The trailer has the distinctive fluted side so common with refrigerated trailers and I'm really impressed with how well these printed. Yes, at the micro level, I can still see the layers. After a Bestine bath I did two treatments of grey Tamiya Fine Surface Primer and sanding the wide gap between the flutes with a narrow sanding stick. As this was more a concept test for me rather than a show piece, I followed this with the white paint layer and decalled. I could have spent more time on the sanding for a better result, but I'm happy with this result and it is suitable for its use as an intermodal load.

Anyway, here's a quick grab of work in progress and I hope to have a weathered, complete model for the weekend update. Thanks John for an awesome model - before we talk about whats next, how about a 48' version.



I'm extremely excited to see the doors this technology opens up for the detail and niche market and just hope that the decal makers amongst us can keep up!
 

[tehachapifan]

Wow! Trailer looks great! I have one of the livestock trailers and the parcel tractor that also look good but I have not built them yet.

[jimmo]

I have noticed my recent FUD prints are better and more consistent than some of my earlier purchases. They also seem to have less of the waxy residue as well. John is correct about situating parts etc. for better prints. The print staff seems to understand what works best for us so I started grouping small parts into frets so they all end up facing the beginning of the print path. I have only had to re-order one small parts fret (so far) because it was printed at an angle so I ended up with a schumtz shadow on my parts.

I too use Tamiya Grey Surface Primer for my FUD models, even on loco shells with fine louvers and door latches without obscuring them.

[High Hood]

That trailer looks really good!  Looks like unless you're close up and really looking you'd never know it was a print.

[peteski]

I'm extremely excited to see the doors this technology opens up for the detail and niche market and just hope that the decal makers amongst us can keep up!

Compared to 3D design and printing, decal making is a piece of cake!  As long as we can keep our ancient Alps printes humming and the ink cartridges produced.

[GaryHinshaw]

Wow.  That looks great, and it fills one of the biggest gaps in my wish list.  Thanks John! 

James, what was your decal source for that trailer?

[James Costello]

James, what was your decal source for that trailer?

Gary it's Highball FN-292.
http://www.highballgraphics.com/F-292.htm
http://www.highballgraphics.com/intermodal.htm

But like I said, my decal wishlist is now quite long - no Stevens, Marten, KLLM, Prime, Future Fast, PLM etc schemes available.... yet.

I was just lucky the Clipper set from Highball for a sheet & post container worked on the fluted side good enough.

[GaryHinshaw]

Thanks James.  I didn't realize Highball had so many intermodal schemes.

Could I order this container from Shapeways now John?   

[Denver Road Doug]

How about some of these...
http://archive.trainpix.com/BNSF/RAILCARS/STACKCAR/211263.HTM
 

[James Costello]

As much as it is nice to dream about these things, we need to keep some perspective on the cost too.

The 53' trailer is $35 per print + paint + decals + labour....

This price point is hardly encouraging for the fleet of containers and trailers we N Scalers need for our empires, so Shapeways by itself is not going to be the answer at this point in time.....but it seems to be a good start for unique prototypes.

I want a fleet of Hunt containers as much as the next guy, but I still think there is a market for a mass-produced model.