bluemattersoda Posted August 15, 2016 Share Posted August 15, 2016 (edited) Hi everyone, It's been a while but I've been working on a new model. I'm hoping to have the model ready for a test print this week. This will be my second attempt at having the motor chassis 3D printed - the last attempt was close but in the end didn't work.This time round I'm using two universal joints per bogie rather than the traditional worm screw. In the meantime, here are the renders: I'm working on making the masks for painting. This came about after the finicky-ness of painting on previous designs. I'll post more photos when the prints arrive, and when I finish the carriages of course! I'm planning on putting this up on Shapeways for sale soon. Cheers, Alan PS: check out my previous models here; http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/109915-3d-printed-trains-victorian-vlocity-sydney-waratah-sncf-tgv-edited/ Edited September 30, 2016 by bluemattersoda 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horsetan Posted August 15, 2016 Share Posted August 15, 2016 Oooh, do I see bevel gears? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpoorObjecten Posted August 15, 2016 Share Posted August 15, 2016 O wow! impressive work Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluemattersoda Posted August 16, 2016 Author Share Posted August 16, 2016 Oooh, do I see bevel gears? Yep, the axles connect via bevel gears to a drive shaft which is then connected to the first universal joint over the centre point of each bogie, with another universal joint at the motor to compensate for the second shaft's angle. The second shaft is a spring for tolerance. I'll see if it works! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horsetan Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 Yep, the axles connect via bevel gears to a drive shaft.... If it works, would you consider making bevel gears available for 4mm scale drivetrains as well? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluemattersoda Posted September 5, 2016 Author Share Posted September 5, 2016 If it works, would you consider making bevel gears available for 4mm scale drivetrains as well? I'd wait to see if they work first! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluemattersoda Posted September 22, 2016 Author Share Posted September 22, 2016 Hi everyone, To keep everyone updated, I have received the first batch of prints from Shapeways. I'll be uploading photos over the next few days. The HDA shells are looking great! The bad news is the test print has revealed some major issues with the design of the gear system, and this will need some re-designing. On another note, has anyone been experiencing problems with Shapeways quality control lately? They've sent me the 2x body shells as per my model, but seem to have deleted one and duplicated the other without realising they are slightly different! I've reached out to get a reprint...but I've had to get reprints the last few times I've ordered with them due to them misreading/misinterpreting models (which shouldn't even be a problem considering that there's not interpretative work on their end). Shapeways US does the manufacturing for Australia, and they seem to be a bit slack on the QA front. I have to say I've never had issues when they were sending me stuff from the Netherlands... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeharvey22 Posted September 23, 2016 Share Posted September 23, 2016 On the "wrong shells" issue, that sounds to me like they did an extra set of prints and then selected the wrong cars to send to you, not recognising the subtle differences. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluemattersoda Posted September 24, 2016 Author Share Posted September 24, 2016 (edited) On the "wrong shells" issue, that sounds to me like they did an extra set of prints and then selected the wrong cars to send to you, not recognising the subtle differences. Hmm, could be... Edited September 24, 2016 by bluemattersoda Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluemattersoda Posted September 24, 2016 Author Share Posted September 24, 2016 (edited) Hi everyone, here's an update with photos as promised - Bombardier SBB CFF FFS RABDE 502 Twindexx in N Scale / Spur N / Echelle N I have to say I'm very impressed with the details in Shapeway's High Definition Acrylate - highly recommended by me for models. As you can see the details are crisp and angles sharp, plus it's cheaper than FUD and doesn't require cleaning. I've discovered that putting HDA into hot water to straighten out bowing can cause the plastic to become too soft. so be careful using that method. On the left is the glazing in transparent detail. I may reconsider cos they're somewhat finicky to install into the body shell, and are quite pricey (AUD$10 each carriage). On the right is a new thing I'm trying - optional paint masks to help paint some of the finer colours accents, especially on SBB's livery for this train. The motorised bogies need more work. Even though I've left the required clearance for moving parts, they were really stiff and caused parts to break when I tried to free them. Not shown are the universal joints which broke off. Good news is that the gears are meshing properly. Stay tuned for more! Edited October 1, 2016 by bluemattersoda 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluemattersoda Posted March 11, 2017 Author Share Posted March 11, 2017 Hi everyone, I've been very busy at the moment, so I've only now just finalised the revision to the original design as suggested by Ben A. Here's the revised cab - turns out the biggest problem was with the window and light positions. The shape of the nose has been slightly changed. I've also revised the motorised bogies (not shown), To save costs I've reduced the need for a WSF chassis - see the Second Class trailer carriage below. The downside is that there are no interior details - no seats, etc. I figured at N scale you can get away with this. First Class trailers have been completed as well. Anyhow, please let me know what you think. I hope to do another test print soon and will post photos when that's done. Alan 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium DIW Posted March 11, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 11, 2017 Lovely work! Thanks for linking from the Swiss Railways section, I'd have missed this otherwise. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horsetan Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 ....Good news is that the gears are meshing properly. ...! Excellent, I'd like to see those in action. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeharvey22 Posted March 12, 2017 Share Posted March 12, 2017 (edited) To save costs I've reduced the need for a WSF chassis - see the Second Class trailer carriage below. The downside is that there are no interior details - no seats, etc. I figured at N scale you can get away with this. First Class trailers have been completed as well. Anyhow, please let me know what you think. I hope to do another test print soon and will post photos when that's done. Alan Alan, That is very impressive. Back in the 1990s I made some attempts at Belgian couchette cars with a variety of different arrangements from complete photo-printed sides to added livery elements. The first three have no interior detail just blackened windows. In service you would not notice, especially as they run predominantly at night.;-) Edited March 12, 2017 by mikeharvey22 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluemattersoda Posted March 25, 2017 Author Share Posted March 25, 2017 Alan, That is very impressive. Back in the 1990s I made some attempts at Belgian couchette cars with a variety of different arrangements from complete photo-printed sides to added livery elements. The first three have no interior detail just blackened windows. In service you would not notice, especially as they run predominantly at night.;-) Thanks Mike. I think I'll make the black detail plastic available for the windows. That said it should be OK that you don't see any seats through the transparent plastic. I've placed the order for the test print so will know soon! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluemattersoda Posted May 2, 2017 Author Share Posted May 2, 2017 Time for a quick update! Again, I must apologise for the long time between updates. This will be a quick update again - hoping to have a more substantial update with painted model to show soon. Anyway, did a quick trial fitting of my 3D printed gears. Good and bad - it seems I get very close to getting it work, only to have something jam it all up. Here was the revised chassis model To summarise: Flexible Motor Shaft (WSF) - got the right balance between strength and flexibility so that it can help the universal joint turn (printed in WSF) Universal Joint (FUD) - FINALLY got this to work! Though I will need to up the size of the connected gear wheel. Wheel gears and Bogie Drive Shaft (FUD) - these mesh well and appear to turn correctly. The problem now is the WSF bogie frame. Seems that the fit is too tight to allow the gears to turn smoothly. I suspect this to be a scale tolerance issue - I've encountered this before in Shapeways WSF which may be smaller or bigger than what you design. This means everything is jamming up. The FUD parts are also very fragile - don't know how long they will last. I'm considering now if I should abandon this whole idea of making my own gears, and following the tried and true path of modifying a store bought chassis. While I'm close to making it work, it is always just beyond reach. Assembling the pieces is also very finicky, and in cost it works out about the same as buying a Tomytec chassis and modifying it. I'll give this some more thought. Until the next update! 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Revolution Mike Posted May 2, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 2, 2017 Have you thought about trying HDA instead of FUD (or WSF)? Cheers, Mike Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knuckles Posted May 5, 2017 Share Posted May 5, 2017 (edited) For Gears I think HDA might be worth a shot. If all else fails go to pre made metal ones as is traditional. I wouldn't try 3D printed metal gears as the tolerances vary too much. Edited May 5, 2017 by Knuckles Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluemattersoda Posted October 16, 2017 Author Share Posted October 16, 2017 Hi all, long time no post. Here's the updated print. I've decided to use decals for the livery rather than paint. I'm still making the decals at the moment, and the white undercoat isn't as good as I hoped. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adamphillip Posted October 28, 2017 Share Posted October 28, 2017 Really wish I was this good at 3D modelling, still learning to be honest Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horsetan Posted October 28, 2017 Share Posted October 28, 2017 Hi all, long time no post. Here's the updated print. I've decided to use decals for the livery rather than paint. I'm still making the decals at the moment, and the white undercoat isn't as good as I hoped. .... That ain't 'alf bad. How's the bevel drivetrain coming along? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluemattersoda Posted March 4, 2018 Author Share Posted March 4, 2018 That ain't 'alf bad. How's the bevel drivetrain coming along? Thanks, and sorry for the loooong delay replying! I've sort of given up on the drive train idea...unfortunately at N scale the gears and 3D printing them is too finnicky and fragile. I've gone back on relying on Tomytec chassis. HO scale on the other hand my be more suited! Hi all, it definitely has been a long time since I updated this thread. The first RABE 502 started passenger service spurred me to finish painting the test prints, so here they are! Soon to be available on Shapeways. I've also started an Instagram account @platformtrains since the last I updated - feel free to check it out! Thanks for viewing, Alan 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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