Something new and different for me - model arrives!

[industrial]

Yes as far as I know you can on this type of program I emagin you can with the free download using the sheet metal template haven't tried that yet as it is not part of my course.

[45609]

Can you do etched parts from the 3D drawing or do you have to lay out those sort of plans the old fashioned way?

Hi,

Sorry for jumping in Steve but I think I can answer this one by showing a few screen shots of something I have been working on sporadically for the last couple of years. It is 4mm scale by the way.


Duncan,

The four following photos show a 3D etched chassis design and then focus in on the coupling rod assembly. Each part of the coupling rod has been modelled and then built up into a higher level assembly. These individually modelled parts can be imported into any assembly. The aim is to produce three seperate assemblies and build a complete virtual chassis (and later locomotive) before committing to getting anything manufactured.

A "fully constructed" chassis assembly - to make sure everything fits together
An "exploded view" chassis assembly - to produce instructions to assist with orientation and identification of parts
An "etch layout" assembly - from which I can extract the profiles in 2D to produce an etching artwork.

To answer the question Duncan, technically, yes it could be done. My intention with the "etch layout" was to send this direct to the etcher to make the parts but what I have found is that none of the leading etching companies in the UK are geared up yet to accept 3D solid models directly. Hence the step of converting things to a traditional 2D artwork. The real clever part is that the 2D layout remains linked to the 3D model so if I make a change to a higher level 3D assembly everything gets carried through automatically.

Cheers...Morgan

[45609]

Sorry I hit the submit button by mistake on the first message. Here are the other screen shots.

[Atso]

Hi all!

Morgan please do not worry about your previous postings, it is interesting to see how you've used the program to produce some etched designs (looking great btw!). Also I believe that the program I downloaded does have a sheet metal function but I have not yet attempted to use it so I could comment - maybe a project for the future, an N gauge etched chassis!

[45609]

Hi Steve,

Thanks. The 3D modelling software I'm using is called NX4. It is a full on commercial package that I also use for my work. I think that generally most 3D modellers are similar being based on 2D sketching that you either revolve or extrude to form the solid objects. The differences come in the way user interfaces are laid out and some of the higher level functionality. It might be an interesting exercise to see if you can export your files to a common format and see if they can be read into my software. A N gauge etched chassis should present no problems. Go for it.

Cheers...Morgan

[Atso]

Hi Morgan,

Yes, the program I'm using creates shapes using the methods you described and I able able to export the file into a IGS format, which I have been told is a commonly recognised file format...

[45609]

I think IGES (or <filename>.igs) can work but sometimes throws up errors in translation. The are two other formats that I have found to be reasonably bullet proof. The first is PARASOLID export (<filename>.x_t) and the other is STEP203 (<filename>.stp). You may find that the options for these, if they exist in Alibre, are greyed out as they tend to be only available in the full versions of software. I'd be happy to do a try out. PM me if you want to.

Cheers......Morgan

[Atso]

Morgan,

Could you PM me your address and I'll see about sending some files for you to view this weekend - please feel free to make comments or suggestions if this is acceptable.

Also, I am having difficulty finding a company willing to machine this for me - do you know of anyone who might be of assistance?

Many thanks

[industrial]

Heard last evening that somebody is setting up near me with CMC machines, with my details to be given to him. If he can do the work that we want to do I will pass his details on to you.

[industrial]

Steve been looking at the program you are using, sheet metal section is only available on the 30 day trial.

Also it is listed for STEP as well.

[rob]

Fascinating Steve,I admire your computer skills -I still congratulate myself if a post goes up! This could be a most interesting development,if modellers develop the skills to master their own kits then who knows what could emerge in time,perhaps as you seem to suggest a nich market where commercial companies then produce your designs to order.
Morgan,that chassis wouldn't be of GCR origin would it?
Cheers,
Rob

[industrial]

Fascinating Steve,I admire your computer skills -I still congratulate myself if a post goes up! This could be a most interesting development,if modellers develop the skills to master their own kits then who knows what could emerge in time,perhaps as you seem to suggest a nich market where commercial companies then produce your designs to order.
Morgan,that chassis wouldn't be of GCR origin would it?
Cheers,
Rob

The biggest cost will still be to produce the model even if it is only a one off these programs will help to keep the costs down if you can do good drawings and helping to stop mestakes in the final production, but there is still all the production costs, or be very wealthy and have all your machins with the space as well.

The biggest problem will be when your 'hobby' becomes to big and do you stop the day job or not the amount of cottage model business that have stoped at this stage is probably a fairly large number with there kit business closed down or sold to another business.

If you have retired you will not have the second problem but the other problem that age brings.

[Atso]

Thanks Rob,

As Industrial stated it would be the production costs which would prohibit this kind of project developing further, if using a third party. The ideal scenario being that I could acquire my own CNC milling machine and made most, if not all, the parts I require myself. I'm sure that there are companies out there prepared to do this kind of work, however, all my requests for information and quotes have so far not been responded to.

On the production front, it has to be possible to go into production for one's self and there are some nice moulding machines out there which could realistically be fitted into a garage - for a price. Also you have to ask yourself would I produce this for others, at which point you've got a business and all the planning and costs associated with it...

One thing I've found with this project (messing around?) is that what is desirable isn't necessarily practical - for example I've had to alter the wheel base slightly for my model (assuming I can get it made). Even using under scale wheels I've found it impossible to use the exact wheel spacing for the driving wheels as the flanges would foul the splashers, even after I reduced the thickness to a degree far less than I would've been happy with. One of the great things about CAD is that I can check my progress against a rendering of the complete assembly as I work but, while I'm happy to accept the slight compromise would others? Following the amount of work I've put into a personal project, would I want to subject myself to criticism from those I (potentially) sell to?

Actually, despite sounding slightly negative above, this is a question I am pondering as I'm sure it would be every modellers dream to give up the day job and do something they loved. Could I personally be resilient to the 'rivet counters' and unhappy customers if I got a detail wrong, could I afford the set up costs and could I make a living out of it?

However, whatever I decide to do (stepping down from my soap box ), I've got to finish getting to grips with the program I'm using. Now that most of the parts have been drawn, I've got the fun job of putting all the detail on - so far this has taken as much time as getting the basic shapes right! Anyway, so far on the detailing front, I've got boiler bands, hand rails, washout plugs and smoke box door details completed and I can't keep forgetting to make some foot plate steps!

Sorry for the slightly longer than usual post , I didn't realise how this project has made me aware of some of the potential pitfalls that await companies actually producing a product, nor the costs involved. However, I can say that it is turning out to be a fun (mostly ) and interesting diversion to my normal modelling routine.

[industrial]

Steve when you draw your parts, for example do you for example draw a 5' diamerter boiler as 10mm, or 3048mm and when finished scale down by 1:148 to get the right size.

[Atso]

Hi Industrial

I've drawn the B2 to N gauge as I find it easier to take a 4mm drawing and scale it to 2.06mm than convert everything back to full size.