Discontinued Kit Re-pops (calling all 3D print guys)

[GZM2023]

Hey guys. I have been building and customizing kits since i was 5-6. Some 50+ years later my mind still desires to model but i am more picky about the kits I choose to build and those are mostly the Revell Pro Stockers and a few other various drag racing kits. I now have a crazy idea I am needing some perspective on. I have been a CAD designer for most of my life and have also built many 1:1 customs and stock classics. Since I am heavy into extrusion (filament) and resin 3D printing, I was thinking of how I could reproduce some of the Revell Pro Stock kits. Now, to be very clear, I've no desire to violate any copyrights or otherwise. In addition to having a CAD design background, I am a retired police officer so breaking the law is not something i would be interested in although I would only for my personal builds, not resale. Having said that, how would a person go about re-creating let's say the Warren Johnson Pro Stock Olds Cutlass? The filament printers do not produce the fine details that the resin printers do so resin would have to be the only option for me.

Would scanning a new box stock kit cards and parts, slice the file and resin print it be an option that would yield at least the same quality detail the original box stock stock Revell kits have?

Do any of you have any ideas that would accomplish what I am thinking of?

Thanks

 

[Beans]

I haven't done this personally but I would imagine that 3d scanning each parts tree then using CAD to clean up or adjust the scan as necessary then simply importing it to the slicer and 3d printing at the best quality (smallest layer setting) possible, would get you exactly what you are talking about.

Personally I never made progress with my 3d printing as I had a resin tub catastrophe that ate my printer.  What I did learn was that finding the right settings for the right resin is key to getting quality prints.  Also, in my limited experience, failed prints and warpage happen.  Nothing comes out perfect the first time.  But others with more experience can give you a better idea.

[Fat Brian]

It depends on how good the scanner is. Resin can print things nearly as good as kit parts. The issue would be getting the parts to print correctly on the trees and printing in an orientation that minimizes the supports being on areas that will be seen. 

I think trying to print the exact parts layout of a plastic model isn't going to be the solution until some issues with the current printers are resolved. You would get a better end product by designing the parts individually and arranging them to print in the best orientation on the build plate that hides the support side as much as possible. 

[Carmak]

Scanner technology is making leaps and bounds but we are still at a place where a VERY expensive 3D scanner is needed to capture sharp inside corners. Examples of inside corners are door lines and raised emblems (most scanners tend to blend emblems into the body).

Additionally, the data from the scan can be challenging to manipulate is a CAD program as the raw data is millions of super tiny triangles.