ESM Shapeways products suspended until further notice

[Robbman]

One issue with Perfactory and resin-casting is that the resin can be brittle and will break if not handled properly.  The Kaslo SDP40F was a Perfactory to resin project... probably the first in our hobby, but it wasn't without issues...

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Bryan, lets talk about the M4D method of production. What if you built plates for the angle slopes? Build the model in one part for all parts with a flat surface (roof, sides etc). For sides that are diagnal (think GP and DS nose and rear hood ends) design those parts as a flat kit that cab ne glued in later. This should reduce the thatching that occures with the red/orange stuff. Parts like cabs could easilly be done as a seperate part.

You mentioned building the bus model as a flat kit. Try that with the red stuff. I am certain it will work. I am also sure M4D would let you orient the parts as you need.

[bbussey]

Building the buses flat won't help in any medium because of the multiple convex surfaces.  Stepping in Perfactory on vertical surfaces isn't an issue.  The only reason there was some stepping on the EL-C is because of the steep slopes on the noses.  The way around that is to rotate the model about 30 degrees or so on both axises before rendering.  With the EL-C, there were other issues, such as having to add support angles in certain spots to keep vertical surfaces from collapsing.  Once the resin cures, it's like dealing with a model made literally out of glass, so removing and sanding away the remnants of the supports is no picnic.  The C&O well car was going to be a Perfactory kit originally, but it was a b!tch to clean-up.  All of the methods have their various issues to work around.

The bus masters in FUD would be around $30.  I'm not going to spend $100+ for a Perfactory master from which only 25 or so castings will be rendered.  I would love to try the green stuff from FineLine Prototyping.  But at a cost of 30x the FUD process, it's not going to happen.

If I was designing a flat kit for myself, it would be simple.  The problem is making a kit (if it comes to that) which the general population can build with little effort without breaking the bank, and that takes time and money and trial and error to design.

[Sokramiketes]

Is $100+ an M4D quote?  B-C did a z scale flat in perfactory to brass for not much more than that. Seems high for just the perfactory step, but it's been awhile.

[ljudice]

I'm starting to think of moderate sized poured concrete structures here.... 

FUD may be the ideal medium until these issues are sorted out....

[James Costello]

When I spoke to Mark (M4D) a month or so ago, he wasn't real interested in any new master work. I think the continued weak US dollar is mostly responsible for this.

I did get a little bit of interest upon suggesting some EMD short hoods (especially with Espee light packages) to compliment the existing long hoods.

I had (much) earlier inquired about design and masters for a container project and was looking at about $1k from start to finish, including 3 masters to cast from. I assume the design process was a fair amount of the cost. It would have made at least Gary Hinshaw and DRD happy

[bbussey]

I just went to the Best-Cast website link that Mike posted, fully assuming they were in the Chicago area.  Turns out that not only are they in Jersey, but they are just five miles down the road from me, three towns away.  This month's time is tight but I will contact them in October.

[GaryHinshaw]

It would have made at least Gary Hinshaw and DRD happy

I had (much) earlier inquired about design and masters for a container project and was looking at about $1k from start to finish...

[ArtinCA]

I just went to the Best-Cast website link that Mike posted, fully assuming they were in the Chicago area.  Turns out that not only are they in Jersey, but they are just five miles down the road from me, three towns away.  This month's time is tight but I will contact them in October.

Be interesting to see what they can do..

BTW, for someone interested in making some of this stuff, what's a good program to work with?

Art

[Sokramiketes]

I just went to the Best-Cast website link that Mike posted, fully assuming they were in the Chicago area.  Turns out that not only are they in Jersey, but they are just five miles down the road from me, three towns away.  This month's time is tight but I will contact them in October.

Lol.   

[Denver Road Doug]

I had (much) earlier inquired about design and masters for a container project and was looking at about $1k from start to finish, including 3 masters to cast from. I assume the design process was a fair amount of the cost. It would have made at least Gary Hinshaw and DRD happy

Just "happy" would be understating things quite a bit.   

[delamaize]

well I ordered a N scale (1:148th) London Tube train driving coach. I am at about 2-3 weeks in waiting for it. I got an e-mail from them on the 17th saying that the parts were going into production. so we will see how it is once it gets here. I hope it is ok. I got 5 more coaches to get after this one to get the full consist. 

[Sokramiketes]

Be interesting to see what they can do..

BTW, for someone interested in making some of this stuff, what's a good program to work with?

Art

I'm a Solidworks fan.  Bryan is too.  Robb probably still uses Inventor.  DKS might be using Google Sketch-up for the 3D stuff?  The Google program is priced right, if you want to try something out.  If you want to be "in-the-business" Solidworks is fantastic.

[bbussey]

I emailed Best-Cast last night, and they replied this morning.  A support structure no longer has to be designed into the model.  I'm going to send a test item for quote at the end of this week.  It may not be practical for White Tower, but there are other projects in the hopper that this would be perfect for - if the rendering costs are reasonable.

[Dave V]

Would any of these processes work for something smooth and round ( ), say, like a PRR H-class boiler?