'Dolbadarn' - State of the Art 3D Printing (and machining) exercise

[Quarryscapes]

I've been using 3D printing in my modelling since 2012, and in that time I've learnt a huge amount about how different materials behave in the print stage and in subsequent real life service. I've printed lots of 4mm wagon bits and recently expanded into 16mm scale NG with detailing bits to modify and improve upon Slater's Quarry Hunslet and de Winton kits. Well now I'm looking to bring everything together and show what is possible with modern technologies - 3D printing and CNC machining. 

 

The plan is to model (in 16mm scale) Dinorwic Slate Quarries' loco 'Dolbadarn' as running with Alice class boiler. some parts I have already done, and are already available through Shapeways, the rest is currently being designed, so this thread will be a complete record of everything that goes into the model from the design stage right through to putting it all together. The only parts not having been designed by me will be the Motor/Gearbox and the works plates. 

 

A brief breakdown of the components will see:

 

Chassis:

Frames, beams, crossmembers, motion bracket and footplating to be single piece in Nylon or Resin (not yet decided, may be both!) Hornblocks, motion parts, crossheads, cylinder covers, possibly cranks in brass and bronze. Slidebars will be Steel. Wheels and axles will be CNC machined. 

 

Bodywork:

Smokebox, Firebox, Boiler, Tanks, Cab sheets in resin. Fittings, handrail knobs etc in Brass/Bronze. 

 

Here is the first step - the chassis frame taking shape. I have designed it to include as much detail as possible - angles and rivets galore, bosses for brake hangers etc just like the real thing. Valve chests and motion brackets to be added shortly.

 

 

 

 

[AndyH]

Great!

Really good to see.

Will you be investment casting any items or direct metal printing (SLS) them?

Good luck,

Andy

[Dava]

Impressive start to your project. I wondered if the 3D scan of 'Winifred' [a slightly different & earlier design] was of any use? I understand the results were to be made available as an open dataset but I haven't tracked it down.

http://www.3ders.org/articles/20130209-3d-printed-kits-of-world-oldest-working-narrow-gauge-engines-on-kickstarter.html

 

Dava

[Quarryscapes]

Great!

Really good to see.

Will you be investment casting any items or direct metal printing (SLS) them?

Good luck,

Andy

 

There will be bits from both camps. Just about every 3D printing technology will have gone into it in some small way. 

 

 

Impressive start to your project. I wondered if the 3D scan of 'Winifred' [a slightly different & earlier design] was of any use? I understand the results were to be made available as an open dataset but I haven't tracked it down.

http://www.3ders.org/articles/20130209-3d-printed-kits-of-world-oldest-working-narrow-gauge-engines-on-kickstarter.html

 

Dava

 

They wouldn't for this, but it would make an interesting project on its pwn. Sadly Flexiscale seems to have gone the way of the dodo...

 

Here is a selection of 3DP bits that have gone into the Slater's kits:

[Quarryscapes]

And here is the progress of Dolbadarn. Doesn't look like a lot, but there is a few hours work gone into that!

 

 

[decauville1126]

 

Sadly Flexiscale seems to have gone the way of the dodo...

 

 

And left a lot of people out of pocket. However a bit of internet detecting will produce details of the directors and their more recent activities. Would be quite fun I think to walk into their office, sit down, and wait!

[Quarryscapes]

Today's drawing progress. Starting to take shape, though there is still lots and lots to do. Compared to the Velinheli drawing, you can see there are quite a few differences in Dolbadarn already. 

[Quarryscapes]

Since our last instalment, the smokebox door has been made functional, the slidebar support brackets have been roughed out and springs added. Drawing these has pointed out a flaw in the Slater's ones in Red Damsel - they are different front and rear and both types are asymmetric, where Slater's supply 4 identical ones. Too late to change now, they're soldered in!