Shapeways hi-def acrylate couplers?

[daniel_leavitt2000]

I have several Atlas smooth side TOFC cars. These are really good looking models, but the Accumate couplers are far too short in the pocket and can not pivot properly. The coupler box is metal, and does not have the recessed surfaces to install MTL long shank couplers. Right now, I am using Bachmann EZ-mates because they offer a long shank and are a drop in fit. But these do not look great.

Does anyone know if the HDA would be a good material to make a copy of the Accumate with a longer shank?

[nkalanaga]

Even if it worked, there might be copyright issues.  It would probably be legal if you didn't sell them, but I don't know if Shapeways would allow them to be printed at all.

[peteski]

Even if it worked, there might be copyright issues.  It would probably be legal if you didn't sell them, but I don't know if Shapeways would allow them to be printed at all.

And how do you suppose Shapeways would ever find out that the item being printed is a rendition of N scale Accumate with a longer shank?  It is not like they are bunch of model railroaders examining every design submitted to Shapeways. To them it is just another object to be printed.  They probably wouldn't even have a clue what it is. For all they know it could be some funky piece of jewelry. 

[u18b]

My experience with the TP70 shell was that the resin was not 100% cured.

What that means in practical terms is that it is a bit sticky.

Leaving it outside in the sunlight (as others have written) or a UV lamp helps.

But your question is about couplers.   The last thing you want is not slippery couplers.

[Lemosteam]

@daniel_leavitt2000 , While I have not had any complaints about breakage of my drop in FXD BLI M1 replacement pilot coupler, which can only be used for double heading (1/2 the load of the train??), I personally had one snap off in a derailment where the second loco jammed against something and the first loco ripped it apart.  This is what I would consider a severe event for the coupler to withstand and fortunate that the coupler broke instead of the loco's pilot.

This despite @peteski 's opines that FUD/FXD is brittle and breaks too easy.   

Are you looking for an operating coupler with just a longer shank that looks like and Accumate or something different, like a mash between the accumate and an MT coupler? Or something else entirely. 

We can discuss via PM if you'd like.

To answer your question, when the HD Acrylate breaks, it is shiny like a glass break, but that does not imply that it is brittle. It could work but I would be worried about cleanup of the parts from the support type that material requires to print.  This takes a lot of planning to avoid pocks on the surfaces that you want smooth and dimensionally accurate, such as the shanks inside the pockets..  FXD is better IMHO because the surface is relatively smooth on all surfaces after minimal cleaning and is dimensionally stable.

[up1950s]

Make it with a molded on hose and glad hand . One could leave the non-metallic thing on or snip it off . Maybe that's enough of difference to satisfy any patent lawyers , maybe not .

[randgust]

The Atlas TOFC cars are the only flats I ever gave up on - mostly due to couplers, but also their inability to run on the curve radius they were supposed to work on without requiring grinding and polishing of mold ejector marks, etc.   Coupler shank too short, box too narrow, stringlined easily because of the coupler shank length and coupler pivot point, wheels grinding on the car floor....   Overall, a classic case of well-meaning design that doesn't actually work all that well, but sure looked good in the box and can be reviewed well on paper for floor height, body mounts, etc.

Just sayin' that depending on your layout, the coupler change may just be the beginning.  I'd just as soon have MT's that require virtually no work, never derail, couple properly, require some painting and detailing, but a very solid operational design.    I also have Trainworx and BLMA flats, and those worked OK with minimal tweaking, so it's not just that, either.   In all seriousness they COULD have simply put on a coupler box mount and we wouldn't be having this issue at all.

[peteski]

Make it with a molded on hose and glad hand . One could leave the non-metallic thing on or snip it off . Maybe that's enough of difference to satisfy any patent lawyers , maybe not .

Honestly, I really really think that this fear of breaking any patent laws or having Shapeways detectives reject someones printout is way overblown.  Besides, aren't the N scale knuckle coupler patents expired?  Wasn't that the reason for the knuckle coupler explosion where multiple brands entered the market (right after the MTL patent expired)? 

[daniel_leavitt2000]

The Atlas TOFC cars are the only flats I ever gave up on - mostly due to couplers, but also their inability to run on the curve radius they were supposed to work on without requiring grinding and polishing of mold ejector marks, etc.   Coupler shank too short, box too narrow, stringlined easily because of the coupler shank length and coupler pivot point, wheels grinding on the car floor....   Overall, a classic case of well-meaning design that doesn't actually work all that well, but sure looked good in the box and can be reviewed well on paper for floor height, body mounts, etc.

Just sayin' that depending on your layout, the coupler change may just be the beginning.  I'd just as soon have MT's that require virtually no work, never derail, couple properly, require some painting and detailing, but a very solid operational design.    I also have Trainworx and BLMA flats, and those worked OK with minimal tweaking, so it's not just that, either.   In all seriousness they COULD have simply put on a coupler box mount and we wouldn't be having this issue at all.

There will be thread forthcoming addressing these issues.

[nkalanaga]

MT's patents expired, but the Accumate patents, on features that differ from MT, may still be in effect.

And it wasn't Shapeways I'd expect to complain, but Accumate's lawyers.  Then again, I worry about "things that might go wrong".

[peteski]

And it wasn't Shapeways I'd expect to complain, but Accumate's lawyers.  Then again, I worry about "things that might go wrong".

I see your point but, I still don't see how any lawyers would be constantly scanning hundreds of thousands of items looking for a clone of their coupler. It is not like he will be mass producing these (3D printing it too slow, and too expensive for anything but very small runs).  Even if Daniel put the word "Accumate" in the item's description, the Shapeways search engine is terrible at finding anything. 

[up1950s]

They probably already know your intentions as every N scale manufacture reads The Railwire . The lawyers don't do the search , the manufacturers sic them on the infringers . You might as well contact them and ask permission . This way there is respect , and intentions are known . They retain control , and copycats of you are still subject to a thumbs up or down by them .

[nscaler711]

One way to find out guys.
Paging @Atlas Paul
We need your input on this please.
Could probably PM him as well now.

[Atlas Paul]

We only license the design from Accurail (Accumate's owners).

[daniel_leavitt2000]

@Atlas Paul Since we have your ear... any chance of seeing a long shank Accumate in the next round of these cars? Maybe sell them separate to retrofit the first run cars.