N Scale Freight Car from an HO model?

[Mike Madonna]

Looking for a little direction. I was wondering if it's feasible to make an N Scale freight car from an HO model? Would one of the following methods be possible?

- Rapid Prototype
- Hydro Shrink (Hydro Span)
- Shapeways

The HO model is a kit, with separate sides, floor and ends. It could also be assembled as well.
Thoughts and input are welcome, Thanks in advance!

[peteski]

If it is a simple (plain box-shape or a flat car/gondola) car, wouldn't it be easier and quicker to just draw it in a CAD program then 3D-print it.

BTW, what Shapeways does is rapid-prototyping (3D-printing).

Hydroshrinking is not an easy process to master - just ask @Rasputen 

[GimpLizard]

3D prints are made from CAD models.

[Lemosteam]

@Mike Madonna Assuming Trucks are already available, (very time consuming to model),  a Shapeways kit could be developed.  Boxcars don't require the same level of smoothness as a passenger car or engine, so it might be OK for that.

PM me and we can discuss what it takes to design this as a kit on Shapeways.

[wcfn100]

  Boxcars don't require the same level of smoothness as a passenger car or engine, so it might be OK for that.

What? 

Jason

[Lemosteam]

Depends on wood side or steel- he did not identify the style of car.  I would use design methods to be able to smooth flat surfaces anyway.

[wcfn100]

One thing I've been thinking about for cars that can be built with flat sides is to render with HDA but to add what would be the bottom of a mold box with it.  The idea being that the more material, the less the warp.  Once I get a handle on the TSC coupler boxes, I was going to follow up with this.


Jason