3d Printing

[tigercat]

I recently got an email about 3d printing and how it will be the next big thing. 

For modellers especially once it becomes a mature technology  the implications must be huge.

broken a propellor, download a template and "print" a new one, plus conversion kits, that, merlin, mercury, pegasus BMW engine you need just download a template and off you go 

[Aircav]

I'm just waiting for the prices to come down. 

[Hobbes]

You can already get some conversion sets that are 3D printed.

Creating the templates (3D CAD file) isn't easy though.

For small production runs, it's going to be a nice complement to resin and white metal. I don't see it replacing injection moulded parts though.

[Aircav]

Megalekka for conversion parts though. 

[MilitaryAircraft101]

You can already get some conversion sets that are 3D printed.

Creating the templates (3D CAD file) isn't easy though.

For small production runs, it's going to be a nice complement to resin and white metal. I don't see it replacing injection moulded parts though.

You could always use them as plugs for resin moulds. 

[RussC]

There is an outfit selling 3D printed models- http://www.shapeways.com/  

http://www.shapeways.com/shops/smallscaleshop

http://www.shapeways.com/model/481138/

http://www.shapeways.com/model/496391/

They are mostly 1/144th. You can see some finished examples at kg144

http://www.kampfgruppe144.com/phpBB3/index.php

[TsrJoe]

http://www.click2detail.com/index.php?s=1

[Hobbes]

You could always use them as plugs for resin moulds. 

Sure, but that seems to be the worst of both worlds: you get the up-front expense of having to draw the part, plus the hassle of casting.

[The Wooksta!]

There's some guy over on Britmodeller using it to print the master for a 32nd Bf 108.

As to the cost...  20 years ago, who would have expected home resin casting to take off the way it has?  The cost has come down dramatically in real terms.  I was paying £30 for a kg of rubber in 2001, now it's about £22 for better stuff.

[NARSES2]

Megalekka for conversion parts though. 

?? 

[NARSES2]

Rigggghhhhtttttt 

[Mr.Creak]

Hmm, I wonder how much they'd charge for these...

Hughes Raytheon and GD Westinghouse designs for the AIM-152.

[Hobbes]

Shapeways allows you to upload your own designs to have them printed. Their price depends mainly on the volume of material used.

[mkhulu]

Megalekka for conversion parts though. 

-the only Afrikaans word I was able to teach our Israeli foreman on the Kibbutz - lekker 

[famvburg]

     One that I've seen a video of has a 3D scanner. You place an original part in it, the scanner scans it, creates a CAD for it, then you 'print' it in the 3D printer. Have a 1/32 part or even model you want in 1/72? Scan the 1/32, re-size it for 1/72 & print it. Or if you had a 1/72 part or model that you want in 1/32 sale, scan it, enlarge it, print it. Here it is: http://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play?p=jay%20leno%203d%20scanner%20printer&tnr=21&vid=4975788840910860&l=465&turl=http%3A%2F%2Fts1.mm.bing.net%2Fvideos%2Fthumbnail.aspx%3Fq%3D4975788840910860%26id%3D58a07f584c287195eae8ca8297bbfe3d%26bid%3DuK%252f8vJw%252b76Oiew%26bn%3DThumb%26url%3Dhttp%253a%252f%252fwww.youtube.com%252fwatch%253fv%253dggvzcGdZsTc&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DggvzcGdZsTc&sigr=11am3sct3&newfp=1&tit=NextEngine+3D+Scanner+at+Jay+Leno%26%2339%3Bs+Garage