1st death toll for the current production of model aircrafts??

[fleetlordatvar]

There are ramifications with 3D printing such as greatly reducing the price for collecting!! When it goes mainstream i.e. they are readily available & painted, how do you think the collecting landscape will change? Will the pirates in China be able to compete initially by somehow pirating or actually compete on more equal terms? WITH is UK 1st to do this?

[JAL1628]

I might experiment with it myself, since I'm a manufacturer. Probably not this year, but in years to come there'll be some management changes here and the idea is already being batted about.
I know there are 3D printing boutiques in Seattle. And I know of a company nearby that makes the machines..

Rumor has it the 787 has a couple of 3D printed parts built in. The technology is a lot further along that we think. Thus the hobby market can't be too far behind.

You still need accurate prints and CAD models to build something on a 3D printer. So to that end it's no different than the current technology, which requires scale drawings to build molds on an NC machine.

I know this: If someone out there wants to print up some business jets, GA aircraft, commercial helos and/or airport buildings, I will be among the very first customers!

[JAL1628]

Fascinating!

But... what scale are these? I can't find it anywhere..

[fleetlordatvar]

original post on other forum said 1:200!!

[Sludge]

Someone on w900 has 1/400th small planes for sale. The pics look good. http://www.wings900.com/vb/1-400-sca...0-scale-5.html

[FireAngelZero]

I think/hope that this will open doors to much bigger things. 3D printing is still "new"ish technology, but I feel like it will give the collector a much bigger range overall. The way I see it is this: You want to build a new scale airport, and your only options are either Geminijets or Herpa, why not use your 3D printer to build a scale model of JFK terminals? or LAX? Now the way I see this being profitable is if companies can make the CAD blueprints to build such airports and the consumer buys the blueprints and uses that template on a 3D printer. As for "pirating" of models only time will tell on that. My models are bought locally in my state (Mass.) and I try to avoid "off brands" or Chinese based companies because I want the genuine product. It's like buying a cell phone nowadays. You can buy an Iphone and spend 500-700 dollars or you can buy a Chinese knock off for less than 80 bucks. Just because it looks the same doesn't mean your getting that quality or that authenticity some collectors expect.

[eugenevh]

It will all depend on the cost of production via 3D printing vs. traditional methods (injection molds / centrifugal molds ... .I think).
Remember you still need to get them decaled / painted / (tampo) printed, never mind how the piece is made.

Also, I think with mass manufacturing that the standard methods would still be more cost effective for a very long time to come. The 3D printing would work for a manufacturer who really specializes in limited production at higher cost (for us collectors).

If I recall correctly, 3D printing still requires a lot of sanding/polishing to get a nice smooth end product? If so, would this not also increase the cost of the end product as more time (and manpower) would be required to get a finished product?

[fleetlordatvar]

...

Also, I think with mass manufacturing that the standard methods would still be more cost effective for a very long time to come. The 3D printing would work for a manufacturer who really specializes in limited production at higher cost (for us collectors).

If I recall correctly, 3D printing still requires a lot of sanding/polishing to get a nice smooth end product? If so, would this not also increase the cost of the end product as more time (and manpower) would be required to get a finished product?

How it works:
This material is printed using the Multijet Modeling (MJM) process. Molten plastic is deposited onto an aluminum build platform in layers using several nozzles, essentially like a large print that sweeps across the build layer. As the heated material jets onto the build plate, it solidifies instantly. After each layer is deposited, it is cured, or polymerized, by a wide area UV lamp. The next layer then applied, and through this repeated process layers of thermoplastic build up into a model. When printing is finished, we remove the models from the tray and put them into an oven that melts away the wax support material. Next, we put the models into an a ultrasonic oil bath to remove any remaining wax residues, and then a ultrasonic water bath to remove any oil on the model. Finally, we inspect the models and dry them by hand. - moonfruit



It does matter how they are made, the current process is the main part of the manufacturing cost as i understand it; the molds are $$$

[eugenevh]

So with the current process the more you make the cheaper it becomes because the cost of the mold is recouped over a larger number of end products (Obviously not Aeroclassics as they only make extremely limited numbers in any case - but that is another topic).

Also, the 3D prining machines costs $$$ and the material used cost $$$. How does the material cost for 3D compare to the material (whatever metal alloy is used) for metal, or plastic molds?
Whereas with the 3D method, the production costs stay the same for each individual plane and most likely will go up a bit.

And another thing is some people like the feel of metal.

Also what about discoloration of the material after a couple of years?

[fleetlordatvar]

unknowns by me, not enough history for those answers. They will go thru growing pains at first, but this is later down the road. Despite people liking metal the price difference if large enough will have multitudes of more consumers for 3d printing. The supplies to paint them are already been tested & the sun will cause the same level of damage or more if left in direct sunlight for long periods(?)