Multiple identity account 2 Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 Hi,Can I design the basic sleeper formation, frog and guide rails on a 3D programme and have it 3D printed to make points? All that remains is to buy the chairs and rail and then simply glue them into place and do the necessary wiring for inslufrog points. Is it possible and has it been done before?It sounds simple and I have already done most of the design work. I will basically end up with something like a PECO or Hornby point except without the rails and in P4 gauge. I do hope chairs for points are available in the market (if any knows??). Assembly should sound easy once I get the hang of it.Would appreciate any help.Cheers!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabs Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 You might find this thread interesting: http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=3280.0 It shows Wayne Kinney's development of his N gauge code 40 track, where he uses a combination of cnc milling, 3d printing and lost wax casting to produce the various parts for his new track system. He's been very systematic in his development and was kind enough to share his learning on what didn't work as well as what did. Should be some food for thought for your project, Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Multiple identity account 2 Posted January 13, 2014 Author Share Posted January 13, 2014 You might find this thread interesting: http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=3280.0 It shows Wayne Kinney's development of his N gauge code 40 track, where he uses a combination of cnc milling, 3d printing and lost wax casting to produce the various parts for his new track system. He's been very systematic in his development and was kind enough to share his learning on what didn't work as well as what did. Should be some food for thought for your project, Going through that thread as I type this..... Thanks Rabs Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve4rosegrove Posted January 14, 2014 Share Posted January 14, 2014 A large selection of point and crossing chairs are available in the Exactoscale range, now available from C&L http://www.finescale.org.uk/index.php?route=product/category&path=346 (no connection other than as customer) Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Multiple identity account 2 Posted January 14, 2014 Author Share Posted January 14, 2014 A large selection of point and crossing chairs are available in the Exactoscale range, now available from C&L http://www.finescale.org.uk/index.php?route=product/category&path=346 (no connection other than as customer) Steve Thank you Steve.... That was just what I needed Thanks mate Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Joseph_Pestell Posted January 14, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 14, 2014 I would doubt whether there is much advantage to be had from 3D printing of just the sleeperbase. That is achieved simply enough by glueing down lengths of timbering onto your template (produced in Templot - see various threads here). What would make it interesting would be if you managed to print the chairs as well ready to thread the rail through. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Multiple identity account 2 Posted January 14, 2014 Author Share Posted January 14, 2014 I would doubt whether there is much advantage to be had from 3D printing of just the sleeperbase. That is achieved simply enough by glueing down lengths of timbering onto your template (produced in Templot - see various threads here). What would make it interesting would be if you managed to print the chairs as well ready to thread the rail through. There is not much of an advantage. But I am looking at something which is quicker and cheaper for me (an international customer). By far I find it much easier to learn how to use sketchup rather than templot (from experience and it's my opinion). I know it would be interesting to have the chairs as part of the design but I can see three problems with that: 1) They may be too delicate to print in any form (sprue or as part of the design) 2) If I do decide on adding the chairs then the best material would be prime grey (i.materialize) which can get costly and i.materialize I found to be a bit user un-friendly with many things. I can use frosted ultra-detail (from shapeways) but that is costly. So a basic material for just the sleepers, guide rails and frog should be good enough. 3) Buying RTR chairs will be better as they are durable and more authentic. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
meil Posted January 14, 2014 Share Posted January 14, 2014 TBy far I mind it much easier to learn how to use sketchup rather than templot (from experience and it's my opinion). Really? And just how do you get the correct geometry into Sketchup such as the planning length for a particular switch or the closure rail geometry or indeed the crossing including its lead? Oh and by the way Peco geometry is toy-train stuff and bears no relation to real track. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Multiple identity account 2 Posted January 14, 2014 Author Share Posted January 14, 2014 Really? And just how do you get the correct geometry into Sketchup such as the planning length for a particular switch or the closure rail geometry or indeed the crossing including its lead? Oh and by the way Peco geometry is toy-train stuff and bears no relation to real track. I am sure that you are fully aware of the fact that on sketchup has the tools to help you with angles and lengths and I have used an edited template to get the sleepers down where I need them. It isn't hard at all. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
billbedford Posted January 14, 2014 Share Posted January 14, 2014 1/ Pointwork bases are available from both C&L and TimberTracks in laser cut plywood. 2/ 3D printing is always going to be more expensive and need more finishing than other forms of production. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold martin_wynne Posted January 14, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 14, 2014 1/ Pointwork bases are available from both C&L and TimberTracks in laser cut plywood. Representing significant waste of material, unnecessary expense, difficulty in removing the webs between timbers, significant risk of damage to finished pointwork in doing so, and limitation to a small range of fixed sizes. 3D printing seems to make matters even worse. All in contradistinction to the simple, inexpensive, tried and trusted method of cutting timber strip to length and attaching it to a paper template, which can be printed in an infinite variety of sizes. Martin. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hayfield Posted January 14, 2014 Share Posted January 14, 2014 Jeremiah I agree with Bill and Martin, the need for turnout sleeper bases Especially in P4 (Exactoscale do them) seems to be covered either by plastic or ply sleepers or sleeper bases from existing Societies or companies in 4mm scale What is wanted by modellers is a system of easy to build or ready built turnouts, another thread on RMweb is ongoing at the moment and may be worth reading as this is your potential market. You should really look at the Exactoscale turnout kits, especially the use of the non-standard chairs, This is the standard of product that modellers crave to go with their highly detailed RTR rolling stock Chairs are available fron C&L, Exactoscale and Peco in 4mm scale, so you have quite a choice Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Etched Pixels Posted January 17, 2014 Share Posted January 17, 2014 1/ Pointwork bases are available from both C&L and TimberTracks in laser cut plywood. 2/ 3D printing is always going to be more expensive and need more finishing than other forms of production. 2. is frequently false today for the general case. For point bases right now however I'd agree I have tried 3D printing track bases (things like baulk track) and at least in N it wasn't yet there. Definitely easier to lasercut for wooden sleepers right now or to CNC machine those with more complex shape. For pre-formed bases I think Wayne has it down to a tee with the bases that have holes to fit the chairs. You could equally do the same thing with laser or CNC in larger scales. More easily in fact as you'd be able to get away with white metal not plastic chairs. I've also seen one German system that used folded metal clips to the rail through pairs of fine slots in a laser cut base. Alan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hayfield Posted January 17, 2014 Share Posted January 17, 2014 2. is frequently false today for the general case. For point bases right now however I'd agree I have tried 3D printing track bases (things like baulk track) and at least in N it wasn't yet there. Definitely easier to lasercut for wooden sleepers right now or to CNC machine those with more complex shape. For pre-formed bases I think Wayne has it down to a tee with the bases that have holes to fit the chairs. You could equally do the same thing with laser or CNC in larger scales. More easily in fact as you'd be able to get away with white metal not plastic chairs. I've also seen one German system that used folded metal clips to the rail through pairs of fine slots in a laser cut base. Alan Exactoscale chairs have holes in, which is what they use to locate the rails on to their own bases Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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