Slowly getting closer to an EP-3

[bbussey]

Been taking baby steps on this project for years, for various reasons, but I had cause to celebrate today.  The Shapeways process for making stainless steel engine frames was problematic to begin with, since the tolerance fluctuated similar to how it does on their FUD processing.  But beginning this year, they stopped producing parts if they didn't meet certain minimums in thickness.  This pretty much eliminates having them do any N scale locomotive frames, and that's aside from the fact that they were expensive.

So I went shopping two weeks ago for shops that rendered 3D metal parts, and found two that met the criteria and were affordable.  i.Materialise in Sweeden ... and ExOne, right here in Pennsylvania.  While both companies also have minimums on detail and wall thickness, they will wave them if you agree to assume the risk in the parts rendering properly.  And on top of that, both firms are are about half the cost with tax/shipping of what Shapeways is charging for just the part.  So I sent my latest EP-3 frame halves to both, to see what comes back.  The ExOne parts arrived today.  The i.Materialise parts have shipped and will arrive within the next week or so.

Boy, am I impressed.  I have a couple of minor corrections I have to make, but those errors are in my solid model and not what was rendered.  I might actually have an EP-3 done this year.









If I can get the mechanism running by the summer, I'll be happy.

[jmlaboda]

Anxiously awaiting more development here... one of my freelanced lines is heavy electric and the NH electrics are what I am looking for... EP-3s (need a freight version) and EF-3s would cover the newer power while I still need to work out some earlier boxcabs.  Have looked at Kato and MicroAce paired units and one may yet become the earlier electrics, some for pass while others would be used as helpers and one pair in dedicated snow plow use.  I'll keep my fingers crossed that your project can move ahead!!!

[James Costello]

Wow this is great BB!

[mmagliaro]

What spectacular times for model railroading we live in when modelers can manufacture their own
custom metal frames.  Kudos!

[wcfn100]

Jason

[sizemore]

SO thats a printed frame?!?

The S.

[Jim Costello]

 Haven't had the time to look into these !   I am waiting...I want some....and some more
Jim

[peteski]

This is way cool Bryan!

[Cajonpassfan]

 
Otto K.

[bbussey]

SO thats a printed frame?!?

SLS technology.  True stainless steel.  I believe it's still considered to be printed.  I didn't expect it to come out nearly as well as it did.  This is the unpolished version.  I didn't feel the need for a polished version and risk losing detail or changing the tolerance since the frame is fully enclosed under the body.  I can polish the bottom of the truck mount faces manually if the trucks start binding.

[garethashenden]

SLS technology.  True stainless steel.  I believe it's still considered to be printed.  I didn't expect it to come out nearly as well as it did.  This is the unpolished version.  I didn't feel the need for a polished version and risk losing detail or changing the tolerance since the frame is fully enclosed under the body.  I can polish the bottom of the truck mount faces manually if the trucks start binding.

It's certainly additive manufacturing, in that the parts are made by building up layers of material. As opposed to machining where you start with a block of metal and make it smaller.

[Lemosteam]

Bryan, thanks for the names.  I have been wanting to try this for some time, except for steam.

I assume the donor mechanism/drivetrain is a Kato GG1?

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Is this the laser- fusion of metal dust?

[Ed Kapuscinski]

But seriously, this is cool.

[bbussey]

Bryan, thanks for the names.  I have been wanting to try this for some time, except for steam.

I assume the donor mechanism/drivetrain is a Kato GG1?

Correct. The truck outer frames and pilot trucks will be swapped out, but the mechanism and truck guts are all GG1. The inside cavity dimensions of the frame are exact to the Kato frame.

Is this the laser- fusion of metal dust?

I believe so. Both websites have a page that explains the process.