BusDriverMan Posted July 28, 2020 Share Posted July 28, 2020 Hey folks, I have a basic 3D printer, and a desire to spend my money buying coaches and DMUs from Worsley Works, and not on buying donor vehicles for inflated prices on ebay... I have in mind to 3D print a jig matching the vehicle's roof profile, and use it to accurately and consistently shape a piece of brass sheet into the correct profile to form the roof. The roof could then be reinforced and further held in place with a 3D-printed ribs and spine glued underneath. Since no 3D printed part is visible on the finished model, the surface quality of the print should be less critical. Has anyone experimented with this approach before? The only thing I could find about 3D printed jigs was an American modeller printing a jig for hand-built turnouts. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy Rixon Posted July 29, 2020 Share Posted July 29, 2020 Etched Pixels sell N-gauge kits for coaches with printed armatures. I don't know if a printed forming-jig would work; I doubt that it would be strong enough. A printed template might help. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noggy100 Posted July 29, 2020 Share Posted July 29, 2020 I've had great success with printing formers to press 0.7mm mild steel for car body panels. Two halves of the tooling were printed in PLA at 25% infill then either used in a vice or press to compress the sheet steel. The parts are about 300mm long where the pressed shape exists. 3 3 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DGO Posted July 29, 2020 Share Posted July 29, 2020 Will absolutely work, however if using with thin materials you will want to get a smooth finish on the print or the texture (print layers) will emboss into the thin metal Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noggy100 Posted July 29, 2020 Share Posted July 29, 2020 Further to my earlier message, I should say that I support the 3d printed forms between 1/2" to 3/4" timber to spread the load. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now