3-D design

[Bob Bufkin]

Quite by accident I ran across this.  Might be of use but I'm not familiar with it.

http://pro.sculpteo.com/en/architect-designer/?gclid=CObA9OvmqKYCFYnc4Aod_BeTmw

[bbussey]

The layers are .0039" thick on their finest machine.  Still not thin enough.  RedEye can produce layers .0009" and they still are visible.  The technology isn't quite there yet where it can be used in N scale and be affordable.  But it probably will be within the next five years.

[lashedup]

Envisiontec Perfactory is capable of making stunningly good pieces that hold remarkable detail and don't have the rough finish common to many 3D printers.

Skibbe did a z-scale flat car design and had it output to a Perfactory printer and it even held the rivet detail.

The future is going to be a LOT of fun with this stuff. Shells for all sorts of short-run stuff that no one will produce will be possible. Just need to get the CAD/Solidworks software down...

[Bob Bufkin]

Since I first posted this I saw a show on the Science Channel using this process.  Of all things, they were making Larry the Cable Guy bobber dolls.  Interesting process that does take a lot of time to make a finished productr.

[DKS]

The number of 3-D printing devices and services is growing rapidly. Here's a sampling:

Design Prototyping Technologies

Moddler
 
NextEngine

Printapart

Sculpteo

Shapeways