3D printing machine parts

[badpenny]

Thanks joerg_gm, you've been very helpful, that's kind of you.
Naturally you've given a whole bundle of more questions, but at the same time you've given us the leads to search for the answers. Which is always the best way to learn.
One question I'd like to ask though, because you send the file over to companies like joerg_gm does that mean there's no need to print your own version as presumably they will make one in order to produce the mould they'll cast from?
Or do you print one off at home in order to make sure it'll work anyway?

BP

[joerg_gm]

If you're using online-services as described above, you don't have to print the wax-model or mould by yourself. You simply upload the 3D-model in a certain file format (depends on the company). They'll do the rest (printing the wax-model, creating the casting-mould, cast in brass (or whatever you need) and polishing the casted object.

Brass-casted objects are very expensive at those online-services, so I test my created 3d-models with my own printer, to be sure it will work.

Here is another example I did some time ago (test-model done with a PLA-printer):

[badpenny]

As I suspected.
I think the game has suddenly changed up a gear.

A terrific tool for getting out of trouble, especially in the self satisfaction stakes!
I also guess it gives us something else to peer at closely when buying.

Thanks for your openness joerg_gm

BP

[arrgee]

Joerg_gm: an excellent explanation of the resin process, I can see that your skill at the 3D modelling stage is very good.

Looks great. Which kind of resin did you use for that?

I use the water washable photopolymer resin but have also used the alcohol washable resin which is much cheaper to buy.

Badpenny: the alcohol method is not what you may think !! it is used for 'cleaning' the 3D print prior to curing it with UV light.

3D resin printing can be a bit messy and also smelly, but well worth the effort, the finish is great when compared to the filament 3D print process.

[joerg_gm]

I use the water washable photopolymer resin

That's also the resin I'm working with. I like the easy handling and cleaning and it doesn't stink quite as badly as the normal one.
Sometimes I have problems with printing objects with flat surfaces. The lower surfaces are sometimes printed a little distorted, but I'm still trying and testing with this new printing method.
Joerg

[radiochrissie]

Absolutely fascinating, I often forget we are in 2020 as most of my time is spent restoring 1950s jukeboxes. What a remarkable way to reproduce missing parts.

[pennymachines]

Yes, some amazing work there.
Did you start by 3D scanning/imaging the original, or does the modelling have to be created from scratch in 3D Max?

[joerg_gm]

If the 3D-Model can be created using simple geometric shapes, then rebuilding is much easier than 3D scanning. With 3D scanning, you usually have to invest a lot of time in cleaning and reworking the scanned 3D-mesh. This is only worthwhile with very complex structures.
I build each model in 3D Max with the help of reference pictures and simple geometric objects.

[arrgee]

Playing with my 3D printer again and this time thought I would try to create a Wonders replica coin entry, I think the Wonders design for this piece of ironmongery was inspirational. So after scaling a photo and drawing the design then converting it into a 3D file, I printed this. Obviously would not use this on an actual Wonders machine but the 3D file could be used as a basis for casting one in metal

[treefrog]

So is the next challenge to make a whole Wonders machine part by part

I would never be able to use the software as technically inept