Another Look at 3D Modelling

I was curious about the feasibility of modelling in 1:35 scale using On30 mechanisms, so I spent sometime this weekend working up a 3D model of a boxcab that would slip over the Bachmann 0-4-0 Davenport chassis.

I had previously worked with a company called Shapeways.  At the time it offered a handful of nice bonuses including:

• Ability to print details down to 0.1mm
• Ability to print walls as thin as 0.3mm
• Ability to list models created in a "shop" and allow others the ability to purchase
   

When I started using them they were making use of a material they called "Frosted Ultra Detail", or FUD for short.  I designed lots of things making use of FUD including a line of HOn30 trucks.  Even though these models adhered to the specs published by Shapeways, they continually had trouble printing.

As I was back with Shapeways this weekend, working on a boxcab model I noticed they had revised their material standards to now only allow unsupported wire to be 0.6mm small.  Boom.  There goes small model railroad parts like my HOn30 trucks.

Disappointed by that discovery, I went over to the Print-a-Part website as I know some model railroaders have had success with them in the past.  Except when I got there it seems PaP has been discontinued and it was some other thing I had to get a quote for.

I suppose the world isn't ready for mass, high-resolution, micro-detailed 3D printing yet?

Well, regardless I did make some progress on my version of the davenport-to-boxcab conversion piece.  Ultimately it was inspired by the Boulder Valley Models version, however I choose to keep it looking a little closer to the original GE 23 ton boxcab.

One other thing, this model is actually in 1:32 scale!  For whatever reason that seemed like a good idea at he time.  It would make this boxcab 1:32n20.

Disappointment #2 was uploading the model to Shapeways and realizing it will probably cost about $55-$60 to print once all the details and roof are in.

Weak.