3D printing is inexorably becoming the biggest game-changer to promote the RC submarine hobby by destroying the biggest obstacle to those contemplating getting into it - price.
A well-designed 3D printed submarine hull can be built, (and sold) for a fraction of what traditional hulls cost. This isn't to imply GRP hulls are obsolete, it's just the established entry price-point is prohibitive to a vast majority of those interested in the hobby.
3D printing technology offers the potential to revolutionize, energize, and promote this hobby like nothing since wireless transmitters. Inevitably, one of the first questions a potential hobbyist asks when checking out an RC submarine on display or in the water is, “How much does it cost?” The answer is prone to make them wince quicker than a suppressed fart in church.
Let’s face it, the number of participants of DIY, hands-on-centric hobbies, be they model railroading, plastic model building, underwater basket weaving, or RC submarining are declining every year. If younger members can’t be brought into the hobby at a rate that sustains and promotes it, this does not bode well for the hobby in the long term. RC submarining has one aspect that defines and limits it's growth - a talented few performing a disproportionate amount of the effort for a dedicated, (okay rabid) base. We can't all be masters of our domain, but we share a common interest.
RC submarining does not have to remain the domain of well-heeled, older, aficionados that have the time and financial wherewithal to pursue it. Unfortunately, younger people lean toward instant gratification whether it’s food or phones.
They do not appreciate or care enough about the satisfaction and accomplishment of a well-done, scratch-built job because these days, modern life is vying for people’s time with so many distractions that fewer people are taking the time and effort to use their hands and minds to create functional objects that provide that intrinsic connection of sweat equity and satisfaction that many of you (almost) take for granted. We have to grudgingly accept and adapt to that reality in a way that moves the hobby forward.
(As I told an old boss: I'm here to help build the fort -not convert the Indians!)
Creating a silicon mold to make white metal castings of a propeller? I think that’s pretty darn cool. Spend weeks shaping a piece of wood to make a mule for a GRP hull? Ditto. As a craftsman, I get it. But it doesn’t matter what I think is cool, to promote this hobby to a larger audience, it has to be affordable and timely. --As opposed to cheap and fast – there’s a big distinction here.
There will always be purists who have the talent and ability to make something useful from hardly anything. They’re called artists. Their skills and imagination challenge us to think outside the box and toil in their wakes. We observe, learn, and maybe, maybe, work our way through trial-and-error toward the inspiring examples of what’s possible they’ve displayed for us to marvel at.
Unfortunately, that is not enough to grow the hobby. The sponge-worthy among us are too few in number. The hobby needs a revolution through evolution, and I think 3D printing is the perfect medium to light the fire. I am a true believer in evolution and here's why:
When I started in digital 3D animation, the Disney artists who thought it was heresy balked at the idea of using computers to do what hand-painted, cel shading had accomplished for decades. “Better is the enemy of good enough!” they cried. Many of them quit the craft in disgust and were quickly replaced by digital artists. Some re-trained and led the field using their old skills to promote the new. (The fundamental principles of animation remain unchanged.) After twenty-five years, the on-screen results speak for themselves. The resulting animated features are built on the shoulders of giants. Evolution and adaptation prevent extinction.
3D printing offers the path to more affordable hulls with comparable performance and with the opportunity to promote this from a niche hobby to something that can appeal to a wider audience. While it is unlikely to ever become mainstream, it can grow to the point that it isn't in danger of dying out. Just look at the variety of boats that are currently being offered, with a list that continues to grow. Have any of you seen such a varied selection? As the hobby grows, more resources from interested vendors will propel it forward.
3D printing without the requisite tried-and-true principles that have gotten the hobby this far are still very much relevant. There’s a place for everyone.
Why pay $1500 for a hull that can be obtained for a third the cost? Is a hand-laid fiberglass hull worth $1500? You bet! It takes time and no little effort to make it happen. There will always be room in the hobby for low-volume, hand-made works of art for those that can afford and appreciate them. But to grow the hobby in a direction that creates momentum, 3D printing offers a very real path.
A 3D printed object is only as good as the engineering design, hand-held result, subsequent validation testing, and attractive marketing (ie: pricing) makes it. That was true ten years ago and remains so today.
Editor’s Note: This is just my personal observation while lurking for several years: The subcommittee is static, and will become a virtual yawn-fest without positive change from new members. This site is dynamic and bursting with optimism. Every new post that generates buzz confirms it.
What Bob has almost single-handedly accomplished within this server bandwidth to promote the hobby is most impressive. Using technology, he’s propelling the hobby forward by force of personality, social media, a website with useful resources, and a forum where interested parties can exchange ideas. He isn’t getting rich, which proves his dedication to the hobby.
Bad attitudes, like enthusiasm is infectious and highly contagious. Bob shares his successes and failures in a way that instructs and encourages like-minded people to get involved, share their experiences and above all: HAVE FUN! Whether you’re interested in the history, technology, or craftsmanship that goes into designing, building, and operating an RC submarine, there’s a place for everyone. If we as a group can get draw more people to the hobby, it will be to the benefit of all.
What do you think?
Dive deep, fear nothing!
CC
A well-designed 3D printed submarine hull can be built, (and sold) for a fraction of what traditional hulls cost. This isn't to imply GRP hulls are obsolete, it's just the established entry price-point is prohibitive to a vast majority of those interested in the hobby.
3D printing technology offers the potential to revolutionize, energize, and promote this hobby like nothing since wireless transmitters. Inevitably, one of the first questions a potential hobbyist asks when checking out an RC submarine on display or in the water is, “How much does it cost?” The answer is prone to make them wince quicker than a suppressed fart in church.
Let’s face it, the number of participants of DIY, hands-on-centric hobbies, be they model railroading, plastic model building, underwater basket weaving, or RC submarining are declining every year. If younger members can’t be brought into the hobby at a rate that sustains and promotes it, this does not bode well for the hobby in the long term. RC submarining has one aspect that defines and limits it's growth - a talented few performing a disproportionate amount of the effort for a dedicated, (okay rabid) base. We can't all be masters of our domain, but we share a common interest.
RC submarining does not have to remain the domain of well-heeled, older, aficionados that have the time and financial wherewithal to pursue it. Unfortunately, younger people lean toward instant gratification whether it’s food or phones.
They do not appreciate or care enough about the satisfaction and accomplishment of a well-done, scratch-built job because these days, modern life is vying for people’s time with so many distractions that fewer people are taking the time and effort to use their hands and minds to create functional objects that provide that intrinsic connection of sweat equity and satisfaction that many of you (almost) take for granted. We have to grudgingly accept and adapt to that reality in a way that moves the hobby forward.
(As I told an old boss: I'm here to help build the fort -not convert the Indians!)
Creating a silicon mold to make white metal castings of a propeller? I think that’s pretty darn cool. Spend weeks shaping a piece of wood to make a mule for a GRP hull? Ditto. As a craftsman, I get it. But it doesn’t matter what I think is cool, to promote this hobby to a larger audience, it has to be affordable and timely. --As opposed to cheap and fast – there’s a big distinction here.
There will always be purists who have the talent and ability to make something useful from hardly anything. They’re called artists. Their skills and imagination challenge us to think outside the box and toil in their wakes. We observe, learn, and maybe, maybe, work our way through trial-and-error toward the inspiring examples of what’s possible they’ve displayed for us to marvel at.
Unfortunately, that is not enough to grow the hobby. The sponge-worthy among us are too few in number. The hobby needs a revolution through evolution, and I think 3D printing is the perfect medium to light the fire. I am a true believer in evolution and here's why:
When I started in digital 3D animation, the Disney artists who thought it was heresy balked at the idea of using computers to do what hand-painted, cel shading had accomplished for decades. “Better is the enemy of good enough!” they cried. Many of them quit the craft in disgust and were quickly replaced by digital artists. Some re-trained and led the field using their old skills to promote the new. (The fundamental principles of animation remain unchanged.) After twenty-five years, the on-screen results speak for themselves. The resulting animated features are built on the shoulders of giants. Evolution and adaptation prevent extinction.
3D printing offers the path to more affordable hulls with comparable performance and with the opportunity to promote this from a niche hobby to something that can appeal to a wider audience. While it is unlikely to ever become mainstream, it can grow to the point that it isn't in danger of dying out. Just look at the variety of boats that are currently being offered, with a list that continues to grow. Have any of you seen such a varied selection? As the hobby grows, more resources from interested vendors will propel it forward.
3D printing without the requisite tried-and-true principles that have gotten the hobby this far are still very much relevant. There’s a place for everyone.
Why pay $1500 for a hull that can be obtained for a third the cost? Is a hand-laid fiberglass hull worth $1500? You bet! It takes time and no little effort to make it happen. There will always be room in the hobby for low-volume, hand-made works of art for those that can afford and appreciate them. But to grow the hobby in a direction that creates momentum, 3D printing offers a very real path.
A 3D printed object is only as good as the engineering design, hand-held result, subsequent validation testing, and attractive marketing (ie: pricing) makes it. That was true ten years ago and remains so today.
Editor’s Note: This is just my personal observation while lurking for several years: The subcommittee is static, and will become a virtual yawn-fest without positive change from new members. This site is dynamic and bursting with optimism. Every new post that generates buzz confirms it.
What Bob has almost single-handedly accomplished within this server bandwidth to promote the hobby is most impressive. Using technology, he’s propelling the hobby forward by force of personality, social media, a website with useful resources, and a forum where interested parties can exchange ideas. He isn’t getting rich, which proves his dedication to the hobby.
Bad attitudes, like enthusiasm is infectious and highly contagious. Bob shares his successes and failures in a way that instructs and encourages like-minded people to get involved, share their experiences and above all: HAVE FUN! Whether you’re interested in the history, technology, or craftsmanship that goes into designing, building, and operating an RC submarine, there’s a place for everyone. If we as a group can get draw more people to the hobby, it will be to the benefit of all.
What do you think?
Dive deep, fear nothing!
CC
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