We are excited to announce a new, online-only feature for our registered users: High-tech modeling for garden railroaders! Contributor Steve Berneberg will guide you through using 3D printing, whether you own a 3D printer or not.
Please post your comments and questions here. We welcome your feedback.
Part 1: Introduction and overview
Part 2: Using SolidWorks software and designing a window
Part 3: An overview of 3D printers
Part 4: Tips and tricks and a tie plate STL file
Part 5: A walk-through of SCAD software
Part 6: How to use SketchUp software to make a four-pane door
Part 7: Make a building sign
Part 8: Using a professional printing service, tips on getting the best results from your printer
Part 9: Design and build a railroad signal (part 1 of 2)
Part 10: Design and build a railroad signal (part 2 of 2)
Part 11: Build a scale retaining wall
Part 12: Make fire hydrants and learn more about the limitations of your printer
Part 13: Start building a modern-style water tower
Part 14: Build the middle section of a modern-style water tower
Rene Schweitzer
Classic Toy Trains/Garden Railways/Model Railroader
[quote user="Rene Schweitzer"]
Welcome all to the High Tech modeling. I have been 3D printing for years, own my own printer, and have used a wide variety of others. The price is coming down quickly on some quality printers. It is still not as easy as hooking up your typical printer. If you have questions, I will be happy to answer; if I can. If not, I know plenty of people in the industry that probably can answer the most difficult question. Probably the hardest part is making the model. Hopefully in the next few articles I can show you modeling programs (free for downloading) and how to use them.
I also used many other tools like laser cutters, 3D scanners, cnc mills, cnc lathes and other fancy tools. I am also build robots for fun and industrial applications. Perhaps later I will show you how I applied what I know about Robots to my G and 1/5 scale layouts.
If anyone has anything to add, I am always interested in others solve problems that face the rail yard.
Hi Rene,
Thanks very much for your help to get us oldtimers into 21st century modeling. I have successfully launched some very simple signs on Shapeways but have totally failed in several attempts to do anything more complex, even the attached window. Do you have a suggestion on how I might get a Shapeways compatible file made of this window?
Thanks,David Palmeter
David,
You will need to find someone with a 'solid modeling package' like SketchUp http://www.sketchup.com/download to develop a solid model, then convert it to an STL file. With a little download time and practice, you could do this on your own. There are plenty of 'How-To' videos on YouTube to aid in your learning.
There are also some folks who can do the entire process for you - generat the model, generate the STL, and produce the 3D printed part. These folks will most likely charge for their services though.
Bob C.
The commenter is correct. You can do this in sketchup or if you want I would be more than happy to do it for you. I do however, use SolidWorks which will not transfer to sketchup, or openSCAD or TinkerCAD...I could go on. There are several intermediate files that people use to transfer between CAD programs; sometimes they work, sometimes they do not.
I use SolidWorks because I have used it for years. Does not mean there are better modeling programs out there; just that I am familiar with it and can get the model done really fast using the programs that I know. I could do it in openSCAD but that would take about a day. In SolidWorks I can do this in about fifteen minutes. So if you like, I would be more than happy to do it for you. By the way, I am currently modeling a TP56 locomotive using SolidWorks and using a laser cutter to cut it out. Got the base done. Would be more than happy to share it with the world.
sberneberg@spatialapplications.com
I am looking at your drawing and I do not know the exact location of the 2.4"R. I am sure it is in the middle of the width of the window, but not sure how "high" it is inside the window.
Also the cross member inside the window: that is going to need support material when it is printed which is possible, but if you drop the member down to meet the bottom of the frame it will be easier to printer. No support material is needed and cleanup is easier. I usually glue my window glass to the back frame so I do not need a piece of glass that is perfectly sized.
Another 3D program that doesn't get much mention but is very powerful is Blender. This is a free solid modeling program that I personally use to do 3D people figures for printing with, but it will do almost anything. It does have a bit of a learning curve but is very well supported in terms of tutorials and Youtube videos. You might want to check it out-
https://www.blender.org/
Part 4 is now live and has been added to the list.
Part 5 is now live and has been added to the list. If you have a topic you'd like to see covered, please let us know. Author Steve Berneberg checks this thread and can reply.
Tinkercad is a very good program. I know lots of people using it and you are correct, the younger generation latches right on to it. While 3D printing is not a fad, it is just a tool that one can use. I find somethings are better made with a laser cutter, bandsaw or just a plain old utility knife. Pick the right tool for the job. I hope you are finding this useful.
Bumping--added part 6. Part 7 goes live on Feb 24 (tomorrow!)
We're up to part 8 now!
Hello Steven,
I am enjoying the 3D printing series, just read Number 8. I still doubt that I will get my own printer but knowing more about the process will help with future designs. Also, I need to apologize to you and the group for not following up on the RBRBB industrial building window project.
Not only did you do a great job on the 30 plus windows I needed, but I appreciate you driving from California to central Indiana to see how they looked. It was an excellent visit chatting and running trains on a perfect September afternoon.
Thanks again for your help!!
David
Here is a partially finished 3D print of a craftsman bungalow. I designed it in Tinkercad, divided it into buildable parts (my printer can't print anything this big). Pictures are on SVGRS Facebook page.
Dick Friedman Here is a partially finished 3D print of a craftsman bungalow. I designed it in Tinkercad, divided it into buildable parts (my printer can't print anything this big). Pictures are on SVGRS Facebook page.
Part 9 has been added--check it out!
Part 10 is now live!
New article (#11) is available! Check it out.
Another new article is available, #12!
Part 13 is now live--start building a water tower.
Part #14 has been added to the list.
It would be nice if there was a way we could post/share .stl files via Garden Railroading mag. Dave
I agree with you. I hate to pass the buck, but you will have to talk to Rene and Marc. They are the decision makers. However, in the future, I will be doing EVERYTHING in www.onshape.com. You can signup for free and using the search feature search for my name. All the files will be there. You can use my files directly or you can copy those files and modify. I should have a better explantion by the October issue.
Hello all,
As a magazine, we are not equipped to host/exchange files in that way. However, we are conversing with Mr. Berneberg about how to do this more efficiently. There are file sharing sites out there. Stay tuned.
As long as we realize that .st. and .obj files will not be manipulated on GR's web page, I don't see that they are any different than PDF or jpg files. We would just download the file we want into our 3D design program. My shareable 3D files are all on Tinkercad, btw.
"... was a way we could post/share .stl files via Garden Railroading mag..."
Liability issues !
If a file is compromised somewhere, be it initial sys created or elsewhere in the process.
Granted not being familair with file sizes ... exchange email addys to subsequently share files.
3D with a lot more vectoring (?), maybe a loooot larger than cst vinyl files !?
doug c
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