3D-printed 1/24 scale 15" Vector Wheel

[Chief Joseph]

Well, about two months ago we moved from a house to a condo, which means all my casting work came to a halt. I'm working on getting a fume hood/paint booth so I can get back into the business of making parts for my models. In the meantime, I have plunged headlong into digital modeling. I'm working on a bunch of items to have 3D-printed, so when I get back to casting I'll have stuff to work with. I can make a digital master in a fraction of the time it takes to make a scratchbuilt master, but getting the digital files printed is an expensive proposition. I made this wheel for the 84-85 Buick Regal T-Type today:

(Pic from GNTTYPE,org)

I altered the design just slightly so the wheels can be cast in a one-piece mold. I wish I had done that with my Vector wheel... oh, wait... all I have to do is open up the Vector wheel file, make a few edits, have it printed ($), and voilà, I have a new version without the hassle of modifying a scratchbuilt master. Using the "power of computerized technology," I can make tire/wheel assemblies that match up very well:

Now if I just had an Objet Eden printer, I could print these at home. If I had an extra $65K sitting around, I could pick up this one on eBay!

[azers]

Ill be waiting for new items when you release them. Joe

[Len Woodruff]

Well, about two months ago we moved from a house to a condo, which means all my casting work came to a halt. I'm working on getting a fume hood/paint booth so I can get back into the business of making parts for my models. In the meantime, I have plunged headlong into digital modeling. I'm working on a bunch of items to have 3D-printed, so when I get back to casting I'll have stuff to work with. I can make a digital master in a fraction of the time it takes to make a scratchbuilt master, but getting the digital files printed is an expensive proposition. I made this wheel for the 84-85 Buick Regal T-Type today:

(Pic from GNTTYPE,org)

I altered the design just slightly so the wheels can be cast in a one-piece mold. I wish I had done that with my Vector wheel... oh, wait... all I have to do is open up the Vector wheel file, make a few edits, have it printed ($), and voilà, I have a new version without the hassle of modifying a scratchbuilt master. Using the "power of computerized technology," I can make tire/wheel assemblies that match up very well:

Now if I just had an Objet Eden printer, I could print these at home. If I had an extra $65K sitting around, I could pick up this one on eBay!

What software do you have to use for the 3-D artwork Joe?

[Chief Joseph]

What software do you have to use for the 3-D artwork Joe?

Autodesk Inventor. Parametric modeling, similar in function to Solidworks or Catia. It's totally useless for organic items, but for things like this it is excellent.

[Foxer]

I just opened 3ds Max for the first time in years the other day to show my wife how a cat tree we bought will look in the house. Maybe it time to get back modeling the way 3D Printers are so much in the news!

Edited April 7, 2013 by Foxer