Tugboat's 3D Printer Build

I think it would work but one would need to find a plastic that doesn't crack or shatter under impact. And realistically in order to penetrate, we're talking like .5mm thick. Doable for a vacuum former, though, just need a good plastic.

 

Still working on the design for the Big One... Going to try printing a T-103 Japanese transport in 3 pieces on the Mendel, though. It's only 2.5" wide, which means that I can do the hull in one shot, and the decks and SS in a second run. As small as it is, I'd expect a total print time for the hull under 9 hours. Then I can be in the shop the next day putting the guts into the hull while the decks and SS print. SS will be part of the deck, and I'll be printing the propeller, rudder, and motor mount around the margins of the other parts. The rudder servo mount will be printed as part of the stern section. NOT putting in water channeling, battery brackets, etc because if I print more, other people would likely use different batteries and internals.

 

Instead of building one big enough to do a hull in one shot, I have begun (and within hours, told Homefront-6, and received permission!) a Rostock 3D printer. It's a type called a 'Delta', which has three upright pylons that have carriages that slide up and down, with arms going to the center that hold the print head. Why do this one? Print volume. The Rostock has the same 8"x8" heated bed as the Mendel that I have now, but it can print objects up to 16" tall, which means destroyers can be done in one shot. Actually 2 or 3 destroyers in one shot, printed vertically. I've already got 4 of the big pieces printed, doing some more this week. While the printer is running, I am in Sketchup working on the files for my first printed ship. My two confidants know what it is, but I will not say NOTHING until it's printing. But it will be cool and minimize the need for extra parts (i.e. stuffing tubes printed as part of hull, gearbox printed as part of hull, CO2 bottle mount, battery bracket, etc). Decks and SS will be printed also. I realize that some people might want things laid out differently, but this is 1) for ME and 2) potentially an easy way into the hobby for new people. If I can get Mark's printed BB magazine to work, then that will be in, as well. Having issues with my slicer and the magazine. But building and operating the Mendel have been a long series of problems and solutions and thus learning And I'll have a cool printed ship and how many people have one of those?

 

Photos of what, is the question My project exists only in Sketchup right now, a collection of ribs and stringers on a subdeck. The printer is pictured on my Google+ page (add me if you haven't, I post stuff there frequently), and progress on the Rostock will be on there tonight. But to say that I am stoked about the printed ships is understatement

 

I willnot be posting pics of the Sketchup model at this point because it'd give the subject away... I'll give you guys a hint: It's a boat that I like! Oh, wait, that's ALL OF THEM!!

 

Update: The printer has been going pretty much every night, making things, sometimes making things badly (more Y-axis slippage), and I finally solved the Y-axis slip... The motor mount was loose. That is fixed, and glorious things are happening Most importantly, a small (3" high) elephant figurine for my wife's grandmother for her 99th birthday was made last night, which was a landmark print in that it was 1) a difficult organic shape and 2) really came out nicely. Pic is on my Google+ feed.

I've also been printing the parts for the Rostock, which will make glorious printed boats more easily, in 15" tall pieces (max possible height is 16").

Also been doing a LOT of work on the Project X file, I've put the ribs and stringers on it, and now I'm giving them depth inside the hull. The ribs will be 3/8" thick, 1/4" wide (apart from a few 1/8" ribs in certain spots), and the hard area will be set to 1" below the scale waterline location. All casements will be printed as part of the hull (indeed, they're on it now), although the brackets for internals haven't been drawn in yet. But it looks cool. I may post a pic of part of the hull Sunday night (after returning from the in-laws' house) as a teaser.

 

The Mendel has been cruising right along, making parts for the Rostock (printer #2, actually having permission from the wife AHEAD of time!), and I've been working furiously every night on Project X. I will be printing the forwardmost 155mm* of the hull today. No idea how long it'll take until I feed the file to the slicer program, but I'm hopeful of posting pics tonight, and waiting to see who guesses what it is! I'm handicapping the guesser pool by disqualifying resident WWI expert Anachronus on the basis of 1)He already knows, and 2)He's getting one for Christmas. So break out your copy of Jane's and stand by

*The Mendel can do up to 200mm wide or long, but 155mm back was a convenient point to split a rib.

 

Had problems last night; discovered that somehow in the early plans processing, the ship was several inches too short. No idea how it happened, but I have started afresh and it's going faster because I don't have to relearn several techniques that are required. When posting the pics, it'll be tough because there's no turrets nor superstructure to go on On the other hand, I'll give you guys the oh, so helpful hint: the plans are chosen from the ones on my hard drive. HAHAHAHA