Rapid Prototype

[rvieira]

Hi guys,

Does anyone have try to make a real model of your own 3D model using a rapid prototyping machine?? I have some questions regarding this subject:
1 - Is it possible to do it?
2 - Is it expensive??

Thnx in advance

[Era908]

i think those things are mapped out with cad :/ and it proabably extremely expensiv

[lackadaisical]

I have heard of 3d printers, but the application of this process really depends on the scale of your model

[rvieira]

Hi guys,

Thanx for posts. I mean small scales, like 1/43, 1/35, 1/20 and so on...

[ettore]

There has been a thread at GPMA ( Grand Prix Modelers Assoc.) on Yahoo recently about that. One poster said to have a 1/43rd sized item made cost $120. I've often wondered about that myself as I scratchbuild 1/24th scale models; carving and detailing a basswood master can take several weeks, especially if you don't have dimensions and are working only from the wheelbase and track and everything else is by eye. Another possibility is to buy a small prototyping machine on the used market. There is a small machine called the Roland 1000 ( or something like that) that sells for $1000 new. Surely used ones could be found. It will rout a master about 2"X4"X1.5".There are some highly talented illustrarors on this board and I sure would like to have 1/24th models of some of the cars that I see here. Like that Alfa Romeo Disco Volante of Palat's - wow! Ettore

[ettore]

I've just checked the Roland website. Their MDX-15 was the one I was thinking about. It will rout a piece 6"X4"X2 3/8". Cost new is $3000, however. Ettore

[arrange-monk]

a 3d printer often works with liquid plastic and 2 lasers

the lasers are only needed to harden the plastic and with 2 placable lasers wich cant harden the plastic alone. so where the laser beams mees the plastic gets hard...
with these technique you can print all your models in 3d

but it needs much skills of coding and electronics

[ettore]

I have just checked the discussion on the GPMA board and a company called Z Corporation was mentioned as producing a 3D machine. I googled them and found that the machines build up the masters from a starch like substance or plaster. These can be fairly large, there is an image of a full sized V6 engine block on the site. Ettore

[j]

Iv used a 3d printer at school to make some stuff. they use cornstarch and sugar water or you can use plaster.
I made a flashlite that has threds that work.
what i did after i printed it was i would dip it in wax and then put polyurithane on it to make it stronger.
You can also use it to make molds.
It would work good to make a modle of a car but there expensive. some car manufactures use them to make prototype parts for there cars.
Iv used the z corp 406 hear the website
http://www.zcorp.com/

[DigitalNeutrinos]

Also
http://www.3darttopart.com/index.php

Starts at 45$ , very cool ****.

[ettore]

Only $45? Most interesting. I've been hanging out at cnc zone.com, a site for cnc hobbyists and pros. Some of those guys make their own cnc machines to route out whatever they want to make. The smaller machines use Dremel tools or Rotozips. Ettore