Slowly getting closer to an EP-3

[glakedylan]

Bryan
this is wonderful
and I cannot wait until it is available
thanks for all the work and time you are putting into this product
it will certainly be a top shelf item like the rest of your work
thanks again--
sincerely,

[sizemore]

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.

Thats so awesome. It being powdered steel, I wonder if it may have a long term issue with frame crumbling? Like the old Rivarossi steam or the old run Intermountain F-3's. I understand the processes are much different, but just a question to consider.

This is an amazing project, and its already turning out fantastic.

The S.

[Lemosteam]

The process uses a binding agent for the metal powders where a sintering process burns the binder out (for metals) in an oven.

http://www.exone.com/Resources/Binders

Look at the last material in this list.....

http://www.exone.com/Resources/Materials

[wm3798]

If nothing else it will give you an almost fool-proof master for making a hot-metal casting for possible mass production.  Way cool.

Lee

[Denver Road Doug]

Very interesting stuff.  One step further in the evolution of model railroading.   Thanks for you efforts, and for sharing the results Bryan.

[bbussey]

I got the iMaterialise parts back this afternoon.  A correction — they are in Belgium, not Sweeden.  The parts are nearly identical to the ExOne versions in terms of texture and are exact in the dimensions.

The pricing was identical, $25 per part ($50 for the full frame).  Shipping was close also, $15.25 UPS Intl from Europe and $14 FedEx from PA.  Delivery was within two days of each other.

The only difference in services offered is that iMaterailise offers polished parts at no cost (along with other additional finishes that add to the cost).  In fact, the iMaterialise standard is polished.  ExOne only provides the raw unpolished parts.  I wanted unpolished parts on these tests because I needed to see how precise the parts were without any additional processing.  For motive power frames, unpolished parts are not an issue.  But if you are rendering, say, an auto rack flatcar or TOFC flatcar, the polished finish might be a benefit ... but a coat of Mr. Surfacer and a quick sanding would work also.

But either service provider is great, with no advantage/disadvantage either/or, so I'm happy there is a domestic and European alternative to Shapeways metal parts that is significantly less expensive and significantly better quality.



Also, when entering the requested-by date in the online RFQ, both companies provide a calendar with allowable dates to choose from, a two or three week period if I remember correctly.  In both cases, I selected the last date in the range.  I knew I would get the parts sooner than the date specified, and it insured against getting hit with any expedited charges.

[CBQ Fan]

Very interesting and looks really cool!

[peteski]

Too bad that tungsten is not available for this process.

[u18b]

Pete,

Yeah.   Tungsten powder that would fuse when heated (like this stuff) would be pretty wonderful, I'm thinking.

[Lemosteam]

Uhhhh....

Look at the last material in this list.....

http://www.exone.com/Resources/Materials

[peteski]

Uhhhh....

Duh!
WOW!

[Lemosteam]

  MUWAHAHAHAH 

[Chris333]

I wonder what the densitiy is of 3D tungsten 

[bbussey]

I didn't see the tungsten as an option on the printed metals RFQ, but it might be available at special request.  My choices were two types of stainless steel/bronze, iron/bronze, and a nickel/chromium alloy.

[bbussey]

Upon closer inspection, there is a slight length difference in the two frame halves from iMaterialise, whereas the two frame halves from ExOne were of identical length.  And, ExOne also offers polished parts (which would come in handy for auto rack and TOFC flatcar bodies).  Given that ExOne is local and the pricing is comparable, I'm going to concentrate the business there.  But it's good to have iMaterialise as a backup for one-part items.