This may get me back to Shapeways

[Scottl]

I certainly did not imply, or mean to imply anyone would lie on this matter.  Please don't inflate my comments needlessly.

No one should feel defensive about their results, but I have observed what appears to be two very different experiences.  There is another thread active where we see positive results.

[bbussey]

Saying someone is overstating their position is saying they are lying.  Bob's assessment a few posts up is spot-on, and neither he nor I have ever railed about Shapeways or gone out of our way to be negatively vocal.  Again, your one experience does not make you a definitive authority on who is accurately stating his/her Shapeways experiences and who isn't.

[GaryHinshaw]

I know Scott and I'm sure that he did not intend to accuse anyone of lying, even if it came across that way.  Please let it go.  I think we all agree that Shapeways seems to be unreliable.  My question is: how does HuskerN achieve such consistently excellent results?

[Philip H]

Best I can tell he's got good, gap filling primer of some kind.

[Sokramiketes]

My question is: how does HuskerN achieve such consistently excellent results?

Organic shapes no rivets!

[3rdboxcar]

all of the products ive gotten from shapeways recently have been dimensionally innacurate, or inconsistent in texture.   

Dimensionally inaccurate - you do not say whether your designs were dimensionally inaccurate or you have bought somebody else's product, it makes a big difference, the machine prints to the instructions given and if the tolerance [printed in the specification sheet] is out then Shapeways will reprint, if the designer did not draw dimensionally accurate then the print will not be dimensionally accurate. Of all the models I have sold I know of only 2 that were flawed dimensionally [both on the same order]. Shapeways replaced that order of 2 coaches with 6.

As for consistent texture well I have to agree but that is the product and that is the price, you want injection moulded quality for a small run of models then pay the price for injection moulded quality.

I suppose we could all go back to resin casting 

I agree with Scott who has made some sensible comments.

Sokramiketes is correct about husker - great products, but flat surfaces with no detail on are easily sanded smooth.

Alexanader

[Scottl]

Sokramiketes is correct about husker - great products, but flat surfaces with no detail on are easily sanded smooth.

I think this is the key- adapting the design to overcome any limitations of the process.   Detailed surfaces make post-printing clean up problematic, if it is needed.

[ljudice]

As I've said many times, think about the concrete, wood, stone forms you want and go wild - take advantage of the printing process instead of fighting it.

[crappie]

 having built over twenty models from Husker, I can tell you the detail is there. free standing ladders, indented sides on dump boxs detailed chassis. Have not had a bad one.

[FEC Railway]

To answer the dimensional question:

I have bought several of the SAME design of woodchip hopper.

first few: parts fit, model comes together - no issues

latest batch, sides are too long, curved at one end, frame is bowed.

[3rdboxcar]

To answer the dimensional question:

I have bought several of the SAME design of woodchip hopper.

first few: parts fit, model comes together - no issues

latest batch, sides are too long, curved at one end, frame is bowed.

Send shapeways pictures of the problem before you do any work on it and they will reprint it.

[HuskerN]

Is Shapeways the holy grail?  Of course not.  However, I never intended my project to go this far.  It all started with the idea of designing a grain box to fit on a GHQ peterbilt, and now months later I have an extensive fleet of trucks and trailers.  I have had my share of frustrations with the whole process, but overall, I am satisfied to have put trains and a new layout on hold as I "play" with this new addiction.  It is working for me, and I have been able to work through some bumps that allow me to get very good results most of the time.  I would suggest those that are skeptical simply sit on the sidelines until you feel more confident about this technology, while those that are engaged in using 3d printing, embrace it and make the best use of it.  I am personally having a great time, and have a list a mile long of projects I would like to do.

HuskerN

[peteski]

  I am personally having a great time, and have a list a mile long of projects I would like to do.

HuskerN

You obviously also have a knack to accurately design 3-dimensional objects using a CAD software. It takes more than just desire to do it, and it comes more natural to some people than to others.  Yeah, everybody can learn to do it, but it comes much easier to some than to others.

In the scale that you are doing it, 3D design seems to have become another full-fledged hobby (I suppose that you can call it just another facet of model railroading, even though you are making road vehicles). 

Please also refresh our memory as to what is your secret for producing such smooth surfaces on your finished FUD models?  It would really be helpful to all of us if we knew how to hide the the stepping effect of FUD 3D printing. Maybe more of us would venture into using  this new technology.

[FEC Railway]

Tried sending them pictures, sketches illustrating where the parts were defective, etc... they said because I waited too long to unpack the model they wouldn't help me.  That being said, all of the Cabs I've gotten from them (SD40-3, BQ23-7, SD60E) have been fine...

[Scottl]

How long was too long?