PRR Position Light Signal - Chapter 2

[nscaleSPF2]

If it were me, I would reduce them by 1/2.

Michael,

It would be fairly easy to shorten the hoods, and release a second signal head in Shapeways.  We could call the original part a PRR head, and the modified part a Winicki head. 

I have to modify the signal head very slightly, anyway, to make the circuit board fit.

While we are waiting for dcutting to give us an update, I am also going to try to design the circuit board that will fit the Shapeways parts.  This should reduce the cost of the part, hopefully down into the affordable range.  Never done this before, but that hasn't stopped me in the past.  This is going to be more complicated than designing the signal head, as some of you probably already know.  I will report back, when I have some results.

[MichaelWinicki]

Michael,

It would be fairly easy to shorten the hoods, and release a second signal head in Shapeways.  We could call the original part a PRR head, and the modified part a Winicki head. 

I have to modify the signal head very slightly, anyway, to make the circuit board fit.

While we are waiting for dcutting to give us an update, I am also going to try to design the circuit board that will fit the Shapeways parts.  This should reduce the cost of the part, hopefully down into the affordable range.  Never done this before, but that hasn't stopped me in the past.  This is going to be more complicated than designing the signal head, as some of you probably already know.  I will report back, when I have some results.

The "Winicki head?"

 

[dcutting]

David Cutting, any progress on your end?

Hi guys, just getting back to this. Sorry. I got the boards in, but they didn't come out as I had hoped. Will try again soon.

-David

[peteski]

I got the boards in, but they didn't come out as I had hoped. Will try again soon.
-David

That's too bad!

[nscaleSPF2]

Here is my project update.

Learned how to use a circuit board design software (Eagle, released by Cadsoft), designed the board, and got quotes from a couple of commercial manufacturers.  The board is 0.15in thick. 

The prices were ridiculous, at least for hobbyists like us.  Next step is to get quotes from some hobby sources that were mentioned earlier in this thread.

[C855B]

... The board is 0.15in thick. ...

I hope you meant 0.015".

Yes, you discovered the realities of electronics design using commercial board houses. Use the hobbyist-oriented vendors.

[towl1996]

Just for clarification, are these boards being made to fit the original shapeways heads and/or the modified version? Thanks

[nscaleSPF2]

I hope you meant 0.015".

Yes, I meant 0.015in. That's what happens when you're in a hurry.

Just for clarification, are these boards being made to fit the original shapeways heads and/or the modified version? Thanks

I am sorry to say that the circuit board design I have now is not compatible with the signal head that is released in Shapeways.  Unfortunately, there was no way to keep the current portion of the Shapeways part that attaches to the mast.  I plan to design a more robust attachment for the mast, when and if the circuit board issues are resolved.  Those few of you who have already bought the Shapeways parts are just going to have to come up with another $7 (for 8 signal heads), plus shipping.  Sorry.

[dcutting]

Hi everyone,

I have refocused my N scale efforts, you can see an overview at www.cescalemodels.com. This means that I will not be releasing these. Sorry about that. I hope someone else will pick this up.

-David

[SethNeumann]

I'm jumping in very late but I have a client who wants B&O CPLs which are pretty close (maybe close enough in N scale), we'd also want the circuit board.  We have some 3D and PCB design capability but I'd rather not re-invent the CPL (as it were).  I have a design review with him on Tuesday but my guess is about 20 CPLs, perhaps some dwarves, too. 

Seth Neumann
Model Railroad Control Systems

[nscaleSPF2]

Hi Seth,

Here is quick summary of the project so far.

The PRR signal heads are available on Shapeways. 
http://www.shapeways.com/product/S944XPXAH/prr-signal-head?li=search-results-1&optionId=56651827
You can ask your customer if these are close enough for him.

I have a design for a circuit board, but it will require a couple of small revisions to the Shapeways part. 

For aesthetic reasons, we want to keep the thickness of the board in the 0.010 to 0.015 range.  So far, I have not been able to find a supplier who can manufacture these in small quantities at a reasonable cost ($2 to $5 max).  I have looked at 5 or 6 sources so far.  If you are willing to help us, I can send you a pdf of the board to see if you can find us a source.  Please send me a PM if you are interested.

I do not know of a source for lighted dwarf signals.

[unittrain]

Scott Teague has some N&W type signals I forgot who he said made them but the guy retired I think their pretty nice. http://m.youtube.com/?#/watch?v=Rw5K-2BCr-0 I'm interested in Pennsy and B&O both and will buy them if they become available hope this project works out. 

[SethNeumann]

have you tried Seeed Studio?  They are very reasonable but the small circular board maybe an issue

[SethNeumann]

also what is a "Reasonable number" for you.