3D printing

[Dr Jekyll]

Is this likely to have any impact on plastic kit modelling or scratchbuilding?

[dr_gn]

Dr Jekyll said:

Is this likely to have any impact on plastic kit modelling or scratchbuilding?

It already is having an impact. The corrected cowling on my Curtiss Hawk is RP'd from a CAD model I built:



There are plenty of examples on other forums of modellers who are making kits direct from RP parts. The resolution is already there, it's just a matter of cost (time) before it becomes widespread in the hobby. If it's going to happen at all it will be within 10 years IMO.

Here's an existing thread on RP & models:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[pmessling]

It's a great idea. Be great for scratch building. Which takes a lot of time and research. As the printers come down in price I'm sure people will be trading files which will made things even better. Unfortunately might have an impact on the manufactures but guess there will always be a way. Selling cad files directly etc. or a plane on a disk

[CubanPete]

If anyone wants stl files made (for Rapid Prototyping) and they can send me a sketch or drawing and they're not too complicated I'm happy to do a few.