3d printing coupler pockets?

[daniel_leavitt2000]

So I'm going to get my feet wet by making some of the most basic parts I can think of: coupler pockets for Accumate and MTL truck mounted coupler parts.

Is the resin currently used strong enough to endure long term usage where the parts are stressed, like pulling long trains or smacking cars together in the yard?

Would you recommend any resin for this over another?

[turbowhiz]

In short, this absolutely works and from ~half year of experience, is completely reliable under extremes that you ought not to find typically, including some unintentional high-speed collisions. I can’t speak for the long-term durability of said coupler box parts in a decade from now mind you, but so far, the parts I’ve made have been completely reliable. I’ve been doing this at some scale (i.e. ~60-70 cars/locos all with 3d printed coupler box components of some configuration or another), so it’s a large(ish) sample size.

Others, like @GaryHinshaw , have been doing this sort of thing longer than I have.

I’m using just plain old “AnyCubic Basic” resin, and I believe that has been what Gary has been using as well.

[GaryHinshaw]

^^ Agreed.  I run ~35 car trains up 2.2% grades with Z scale couplers in printed boxes, no problem.  In most of my cases, the pivot post for the coupler is printed directly into the box and it is plenty strong.  Anycubic basic resin is good for this, especially at holding fine specs and detail.