I-401 Sen Toku 1/72 RC Sub 3D files

[herrmill]

If you're looking for something big to build & have a 3D printer handy, open-source files can be downloaded here:

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3078819

Have no idea on the accuracy or quality of the printed parts but it certainly can't be any worse that what Lindberg released.

Chuck

[Scott T]

Picture from site.

[trout]

Approximately 22" for the sail. The printer tried to do the fine stuff, but most of it broke removing it from the powder, other parts broke from me being too aggressive.




The printer did surprise me on what it did print. Like the fine antenna or rungs of the ladder. There is a beveling on the hanger and not a smooth curve.





Then there were bits and pieces it printed, but are not strong enough to survive the removal process.


I do not intend to print more. It was an exercise to see what it looked like.

[Subculture]

The images aren't visible, Tom.

[trout]

I am at a loss as to why. I am on an iPad now and see the images. Any error message?

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

I don't see them either, Tom.

David

[Subculture]

No error message, just see small blank squares. Are these linked from elsewhere or uploaded to the site?

[RCSubGuy]

I can't see the photos, either. In my experience, a lot of the 3D files you get for free are not watertight or designed for printing, just for looking at. Many of these can be cleaned up, wrapped, hollowed, etc, but it's a lot of work. You get what you pay for!

[trout]

O.K. see if you can see them now....I re-uploaded them.

[RCSubGuy]

Works now! Good job!

[Subculture]

3d prinitng is evolving very quickly, three to five years from now current machines will look very limited. I think in the future, your average injection moulded kit may well be printed-on-demand, bringing a close to end-of-line kits, and making the most esoteric of subjects practical to produce. They're not quite there yet though.

One of the big changes will be when 3D scanners are incorporated into smart phones, which is I think a year or two away. Interesting times.

[RCSubGuy]

They are, indeed, Andy! I concur about the scanners. I just previewed a software suite that can scan an object at 5 micron resolution using a smartphone. Craziness!

I actually downloaded these files and hope to print them after I'm done printing the final masters for the Verne Nautilus I'm working on. 72nd scale is too big. I'm going to do it in 96th scale, making it a nice, comfortable, 50inches in length, perfect for a 2.5" SubDriver!

I'm actually pretty impressed with the files. They're low-res, but, again, you gets what you pays for....

[trout]

I was looking at scaling it down to 1/96 scale as well..... For the printer I am using all the fine stuff that did survive will probably not at that scale, but it makes it a whole bunch more manageable.

As far as 3D technology, Jan I will be attending CES (consumer Electronics Show) and one of the focuses of my visit is seeing where 3D is going.

[RCSubGuy]

You'll be overwhelmed. That is a massive show, and the 3D section is getting bigger every year. Would love to hear more about your takeaways!

In printing this sub, one will need to post-process the hull (sand, fill and coat with filler primer. I may also do a layer of epoxy to smooth everything out as well. The small details like piping and railings will need to be added later via scratchbuilt brass, etc.

[Subculture]

I believe it's the industrial printing sector you need to watch from now on. I think the consumer printer sector has reached a point where further improvements will be smaller going forward, with the cheap FDM and DLP machines from China giving excellent results for hobbyists at a very low price point.

In the industrial sector I think Hewlett Packard is the one to watch with their Multijet fusion system, which works with polymers and metal, is relatively inexpensive (for industry), and is fast and repeatable.

Xjet is a new(ish) company, with a team that developed the original Objet units. They've produced a printer capable of astonishing quality which sprays inks loaded with nano particles containing various polymers and metals, the results look like jewellery. The machines are much larger and more expensive than HP's units, so I believe this will occupy a different market where the very highest quality is demanded.

I think you'll also see further consolidation of independent players in the industry.This has already happened to some extent with GE buying out one or two companies in the metal printing sector, and I have a feeling this may well happen in the polymer printing sector, with the likes of 3D systems and Stratasys already feeling the heat from HP, who've barely dipped their toe in the water so far.