Has anyone attempted to 3D print Cage Mast?

Discussion in 'Research and Development' started by glaizilla, Mar 20, 2017.

  1. glaizilla

    glaizilla Active Member

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    Ive made my fair share of cage masts over the years and it's not fun. Has anyone tried printing a cage mast? Not with every single element the original ships had but maybe with a reduced number of elements? Maybe the platforms every so often could help it hold its shape?
     
  2. KeriMorgret

    KeriMorgret Facilitator RCWC Staff Vendor

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  3. ish311

    ish311 Active Member

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    that looks like other than the connecting spars a simple thing to print. would have to count the number of threads but just make a gear and follow a pattern. fairly quick and easy. printing the super fine spars would be very very difficult. at least on an fdm machine.
     
  4. KeriMorgret

    KeriMorgret Facilitator RCWC Staff Vendor

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    It's laser cut for the disks, and stretchy material for the spars.
     
  5. irnuke

    irnuke -->> C T D <<--

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    McSpuds has a pretty easy way to make cage masts using wire. I think he show it on his Evstafi build thread
     
  6. rcengr

    rcengr Vendor

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    I think it could be done, it would be no harder than a smokestack screen that I printed. The cables should be at least 1mm in diameter. I also wouldn't expect it to be very strong.
     
  7. SteveT44

    SteveT44 Well-Known Member

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  8. Beaver

    Beaver 2020 Rookie of the Year Admiral (Supporter)

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    For the time and plastic used and the fragile result, I think printing them is a waste of time and money.
    Much better off putting you're time into building one out of plywood and string.
     
  9. ish311

    ish311 Active Member

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  10. glaizilla

    glaizilla Active Member

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    I made some a few different ways. With string with the elastic string that strikes use is about as durable as you can get one. I've soddered brass tubing to make a simpler one with less elements which worked okay, but was heavy.
     
  11. glaizilla

    glaizilla Active Member

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    The USN made most of their builders models with solid masts in the shape of the cage mast. At any rate having a printable one sounds a lot easier even if it needs replaced more often. I'm working on an American BB primarily for displays but having a sister ship set up for combat.
     
  12. Xanthar

    Xanthar Well-Known Member

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    This thread was the wake up call I needed to finish designing the cage masts for our Mississippi's (BB-23.)
    It's kind of pushing the edge of what a consumer grade FDM machine can do, at least the ones I own.
    I also found that Slic3r was ignoring parts of the mesh and leaving holes in the structure : (
    When I get some time, I may write a python script to generate the gcode directly.

    Anyway, I have a test print of the top section running as I type.
    It's looking pretty good so far. Definitely not Fine Scale Modeler quality but, good enough to shoot at.
    Pictures to follow shortly.

    PS. I love the smell of cage masts and coffee in the morning : )
     
  13. Beaver

    Beaver 2020 Rookie of the Year Admiral (Supporter)

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    Looking forward to seeing it. :)
     
  14. Xanthar

    Xanthar Well-Known Member

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    Here's the Top part. A little stringy because I printed it too fast but, from a few feet away, it looks fine.
    Working on the bottom part now.
     

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  15. Beaver

    Beaver 2020 Rookie of the Year Admiral (Supporter)

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    Looks pretty good. How long did it take to print and how thick are the 'wires'?
     
  16. Xanthar

    Xanthar Well-Known Member

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    That top part took 27 minutes. Slower would be better.
    The verticals are 1mm in diameter so, it's not as delicate as it looks. It has survived being handled by my 3 kids, so far.
     
  17. Xanthar

    Xanthar Well-Known Member

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    The base came out pretty well. I was not sure if it would break off the verticals in between the rings but, it didn't
    It got a little skewed at the top where it was at the extreme edge of this printer's build volume, though.
    I'm going to trim that part off, re-print that last bit, and super glue the 3 sections together.
    In hindsight, I should have split it a bit lower... the next one will be better : )
     

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  18. Xanthar

    Xanthar Well-Known Member

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    I added the STL file to the resource section. Give it a try and let me know what you think.
     
  19. Xanthar

    Xanthar Well-Known Member

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    Here it is after cutting and gluing the 3 sections together.
     

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  20. Xanthar

    Xanthar Well-Known Member

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    When I was working on my Kongo super, I was pleasantly surprised that I could print small details like handrails.
    That made me want to try this mast again on a printer that can print it all in one shot. It looks much better in grey : )
    Lattice-Mast.jpg
     
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