Hi all, I've been following this thread with great interest and excitment in hoping that this process will develop. I currently have some 3d models I would like to have produced with 3d printing and then molded by Frank into usable objects in different materials depending upon their use. I've been looking into 3d printers over the last several months thinking I wanted to buy one. What I have learned is that 3d printers are like everything else, you get what you pay for. The less expensive 3d printers do not give you the quality print that higher quality printers do. Unfortunately quality begins at about $10-20 grand. But the great thing is that the owners of these machines are learning that volume is the key so prices are becoming more reasonable from 3d printing services. I currently have a 3d model of a 20 Ton long jack for my KT that I am trying to get printed. The jack is about 5" long and 1.2" wide and the best quality print price I've found so far is $60.00 just for this item. If anyone else has a more cost effective price for a good print I would love to hear from you.
I've also been starting to design the modeling for my next tank after finishing the KT and what I am going to do is have the running gear, 1 sprocket, 1 wheel and 1 idler, plus suspension pieces printed in 3d and have Frank teach me how to mold them in a strong enough material to do an entire 1/6 tank. After hanging out with Frank and the guys I'm totally convinced it can be done, wheels, tracks, idlers, suspensions and all, you would be amazed at what he can do.
The other great thing is that now the same companies also offer 3d scanning. So for instance we can send then a complete set of running gear from a model and they can scan it into 3d so that the complete set, sprocket, tracks, wheels, running gear, etc. are completely adapted/scaled to each other so that all we would have to do is bring it into a 3d program, rescale it to 1/6 and then export it so to be printed in 3d. :) Just thinking out loud.
Kind regards,
John
On 11/2/2011 1:41 PM, [email protected] wrote:
> I know that molds have a finite lifetime. Typically
> how many castings can I expect to get from a silicone mold ?
When properly maintained, a rubber mold can be used for hundreds of
castings. We've had no problem making tread parts for multiple tanks
with a single 8 tread mold.
Regarding set time: It doesn't take long to pour resin into 6-8 molds.
Once you've learned the process (spray, measure, dye, mix, pour, pop)
things go pretty smoothly.
> I'm leaning toward molding and casting myself, but I like Franks offer
> of "prototype parts for molds". At least I wouldn't need to make my own
> molds and I could still play with a Thing-O-Matic.
Now we're talking. John White (KT builder) is ready to crank out dozens
of CAD designs for tank parts. Together, we can form the un-holy
trinity of mold making :-)
Frank P.
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> I know that molds have a finite lifetime. Typically
> how many castings can I expect to get from a silicone mold ?
When properly maintained, a rubber mold can be used for hundreds of
castings. We've had no problem making tread parts for multiple tanks
with a single 8 tread mold.
Regarding set time: It doesn't take long to pour resin into 6-8 molds.
Once you've learned the process (spray, measure, dye, mix, pour, pop)
things go pretty smoothly.
> I'm leaning toward molding and casting myself, but I like Franks offer
> of "prototype parts for molds". At least I wouldn't need to make my own
> molds and I could still play with a Thing-O-Matic.
Now we're talking. John White (KT builder) is ready to crank out dozens
of CAD designs for tank parts. Together, we can form the un-holy
trinity of mold making :-)
Frank P.
--
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To post a message, send email to [email protected]
To unsubscribe, send email to rcta[email protected]
Visit the group at http://groups.google.com/group/rctankcombat
You are currently subscribed to the "R/C Tank Combat" group.
To post a message, send email to [email protected]
To unsubscribe, send email to [email protected]
Visit the group at http://groups.google.com/group/rctankcombat
