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Post by wdiannes on Feb 8, 2014 22:12:04 GMT
After a considerable delay during which I got side-tracked into 3D printing for pattern-making, the patterns for the Coalbrookdale locomotive are complete. They have been to the foundry for an estimate and go back next week for casting (after some cleanup). They are in ABS plastic and will be investment cast. Since I do all my drawings in CAD it just seemed logical to convert the CAD drawings to 3D and print them rather than taking the drawings to the shop and reproducing everything in wood. It took some time to develop a rudimentary skill in 3D CAD and about a week to assemble the printer, calibrate it, and print the patterns. Here's the culprit that did the dirty work
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Post by andyhigham on Feb 8, 2014 22:40:32 GMT
Wow, That's a real Heath Robinson contraption. I'm sure I speak for many on here, begging for more information on this intriguing machine
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Post by runner42 on Feb 8, 2014 23:52:03 GMT
Wow, wow and even triple wow.
After I got over my astonishment of how much you have achieved in 3 D Printing in such a short time, I began to do a mental cost benifit analysis of this just as an aid to progressing your project building the Coalbrookdale locomotive. The answer was that IMHO it would have been cheaper to get the casting patterns made by convential means. But I suppose I am not aware of your "big picture" this is another tool added to your already extensive skill set. Did you start from an ab initio point in developing the 3 D Printer? I am sure that considerable interest will be developed by this 3 D printer and members will be interested to know how to build one.
Brian
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Post by Deleted on Feb 9, 2014 1:44:25 GMT
Interesting how in terms of early development both this loco and the 3D printer have a similar "look" about them.....Allowing for the exponential development curve that modern electronics seems to have, it won't be long before these 3D printers are a smooth-looking, sophisticated piece of kit available to all at High-Street prices I think ?? ....BRIAN, it's the Biro pen syndrome, isn't it ??..The very first ones were a City Gent's play-thing..Now they are literally 10-a-penny..And, just like the Atomic Bomb knowledge---once gained it won't go away..So it's up to us to adopt it ASASP and adapt to it in our Engineering life..........EDIT}--- There's no room in my workshop for luddites-r-us . com !!
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jma1009
Elder Statesman
Posts: 5,913
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Post by jma1009 on Feb 9, 2014 2:06:19 GMT
ive a lovely Hipp Clock bequested to me from a very great late ME friend and has all the teeth filed (circa 1930's). i suspect all of the Penydarren loco's teeth were similarly profiled! i suspect my 1826 longcase clock was similarly finished from cast teeth in Brum, the dial face being made in wrought iron plate in Pontypool then sent to Brum for finishing and painting. cheers, julian
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Post by Roger on Feb 9, 2014 8:05:12 GMT
I saw one of this type of machine a while back at an exhibition where they were suggesting it be used to make gears and such like for use as the finished part. They were remarkably strong but the resolution was poor. I think they missed a trick, because this is a much better way to use that level of technology. That's a brilliant effort and shows what can be done. It's the tip of the iceberg, and doubtless it will be used for many more things. Roger
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Post by wdiannes on Feb 9, 2014 12:41:37 GMT
Since there seems to be an interest in 3D printing, I will put together something about 3D printing for the model engineer and post it as a separate thread. I should have time to start on that tomorrow.
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Post by GWR 101 on Feb 9, 2014 13:00:39 GMT
Sounds like a brilliant idea, thought might have to come over to Manitoba to get a better look. Paul
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Post by wdiannes on Feb 9, 2014 13:07:34 GMT
..... might have to come over to Manitoba to get a better look Oh for gawd's sake man, leave that for a few months! It's -30 here with a windchill of -40! There's a reason I have been playing with 3D in the house rather than making chips in the workshop. LOL!
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Post by GWR 101 on Feb 9, 2014 13:18:01 GMT
Ok, point taken, mind you it could have its advantages as from another thread it might be useful for shrink fitting shafts into wheels. Put another log on the fire and keep up the good work. Paul
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Post by Deleted on Feb 9, 2014 13:42:04 GMT
Put another "log" on here--------and keep up the good work !!
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Post by arch1947 on Feb 10, 2014 21:09:24 GMT
Hi Dianne, This may be a dumb question but- will you produce wax parts off the ABS patterns or burn off the ABS during the casting process. I worked in Toronto for 2 years and understand what a wind chill of -40 is like. Cheers, Arch
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Post by wdiannes on Feb 11, 2014 2:38:04 GMT
The foundry will burn out the ABS - a shame considering three days were spent printing! All I can say is they had BETTER get it right the first time LOL!!!!
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Post by Roger on Feb 11, 2014 7:57:18 GMT
The foundry will burn out the ABS - a shame considering three days were spent printing! All I can say is they had BETTER get it right the first time LOL!!!! Didn't I read earlier in the thread that someone had tried this and it's not 100% successful? Maybe it was another thread. The guy I talked about it definitely used the ABS as a pattern for a Silicone mould and that was used to create the wax patterns.
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Post by ejparrott on Feb 11, 2014 8:09:45 GMT
I too was under the impression that ABS often doesn't burn out properly and leaves poor castings.
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Post by wdiannes on Feb 11, 2014 13:13:00 GMT
The foundry I am using say they have done it before without any problems ...... we'll see.
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Post by ejparrott on Feb 11, 2014 13:14:38 GMT
They are the experts and they will know the answer.
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jackrae
Elder Statesman
Posts: 1,334
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Post by jackrae on Feb 11, 2014 16:21:48 GMT
That's until they say "Gosh, we've never had that happen before " Here's hoping all goes OK, otherwise it's back to the printer !
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Post by wdiannes on Feb 12, 2014 1:05:12 GMT
LOL! If I go back to the printer it will be patterns for sand casting! After doing a steam capacity test on the boiler, I am not happy with it. Theoretically it was going to be marginal but with the amount of exposed surface area (and maybe too much mass?) it just isn't producing steam as freely and vigorously as I had hoped. . . . . Back to the drawing board!
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jma1009
Elder Statesman
Posts: 5,913
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Post by jma1009 on Feb 12, 2014 2:11:23 GMT
hi dianne, i wouldnt worry too much about the steam capacity test on the boiler. it is a very slow moving loco in fullsize according to the penydarren replicas, and you can adjust the speed according to the cylinder consumption and boiler output. this is quite unlike most miniature locos. as you are using gas you should get a much higher output from the boiler compared to fullsize - and a bit of tweaking here and there on the gas burner and draughting should do the necessary. dont forget at this stage you havent any draught on the fire to help the hot gas to travel round the flues and will perform a lot better when the loco is running with the cylinder working. you can always fit a blower as well as the draught created from the cylinders is rather slow and intermittent. dont fill the boiler too much above the main flue. a half filled kettle boils much quicker than a fully filled kettle! there is a well tried rule of thumb re miniature loco building that one only builds copies of fullsize successful designs - the trevithick loco will go in fits and starts and lurch along as and when it wants to. this is part of the fascination of this loco in fullsize! (speaking from someone who has watched the welsh replica in fullsize many times!) cheers, julian
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