TEMPLOT 3D PLUG TRACK - To get up to speed with this experimental project click here.
To watch an introductory video click here.
See the User Guide at Bexhill West.
The Plug Track functions are experimental and still being developed. Some of the earlier pages of this topic are now out-of-date.
For an updated overview of this project see this topic. For some practical modelling aspects of using Plug Track see Building 3D Track.
The assumption is that you have your own machines on which to experiment, or helpful friends with machines. Please do not send Templot files to commercial laser cutting or 3D printing firms while this project is still experimental, because the results are unpredictable and possibly wasteful.
The Plug Track functions are experimental and still being developed.
For an updated overview of this project see this topic. For some practical modelling aspects of using Plug Track see Building 3D Track.
The assumption is that you have your own machines on which to experiment, or helpful friends with machines. Please do not send Templot files to commercial laser cutting or 3D printing firms while this project is still experimental, because the results are unpredictable and possibly wasteful.
Although I have made and use Martin's suggested method for setting the B2B for 00-SF (the pieces of rail soldered at the correct spacing using the gauges and then lowering the wheelset onto it and making adjustments as necessary as here). What I find is that it still relies on my ability to manually pull or push the wheels with my fingers which doesn't always make them square or central on the axle.
So, I have designed the following and am wondering what others thought:
It should be self-explanatory for any 00-SF modellers. It has three grooves to determine the wheel width and then three gauges to set the appropriate B2B. (as per here)
My questions are:
1. Would it be useful and would others use it?
2. Assuming yes, what material would be best to make it out of?
3. Which 3D printing service is best to use that would have the required accuracy (I have looked at Shapeways but can't find an option where the tolerance isn't at least 0.1mm which obviously would defeat the object of the multi-gauge!) ?
But you have got the slots crossed over, they need to be the other way round:
It might be better to make a set of 3 separate gauges -- easier to hold and use, and avoids any mistakes.
For 3D printing you need to have the U-slots facing upwards to avoid undercuts. Perhaps putting the gauge on top of the bar.
For accuracy from a resin-printing service, the quoted tolerance will apply to the vertical dimensions as printed. The X-Y accuracy from the UV image is likely to be much better. Sorry, I don't know how you tell a service such as Shapeways which way up you want it printed and how supported.
But for accuracy in 3D printing it might be better to print it yourself -- that way you can keep making adjustments until you get a good result. It would be an ideal project for the little Minibo child's FDM printer:
There is a backlash correction function for it on the Templot DXF dialog, see:
Thanks Martin - very good suggestions. I had originally thought about three separate gauges and only combined them as I thought it would be cheaper to get them printed!
Good point about the undercut. I've redesigned as below (obviously there would be 3, one for each B2B) which hopefully looks better:
I confess my knowledge about 3D printing is almost non-existent and I had never thought of buying a printer and printing it myself but for <£90 for the printer (if I've understood it), that might be a cheaper option in the long run.
I'll read through all the post you linked to later to see if it sounds like it's within my capability!
and with a larger bed area 120mm x 120mm it would be worth having. Also the Z drive uses a screw instead of a timing belt.
Unfortunately I know nothing about it, other than what's on the Amazon page, so I can't say anything based on my own testing. It might be fine. Or it might be an inferior clone of the EasyThreed product.
Lots of info and help with FDM printing in the Plug Track section:
The small print:
Unless stated otherwise, all the material submitted to this web site is copyright and the property of the respective contributor.
You are welcome to use it for your own personal non-commercial purposes, link to it from other web sites, and use it in your own contributions to this web site.
If you want to publish any of this material elsewhere or use it commercially, you must first obtain the owner's permission to do so.
By submitting material to this web site you acknowledge that you are granting the owner of this web site
a non-exclusive, permanent, irrevocable, unlimited licence to use, publish, or re-publish the material on this web site,
and that you are also granting any user of this web site permission to use the material for their own personal non-commercial purposes and link to it from other web sites,
and that you accept full responsibility for the material submitted. If you do not agree to these terms, please do not register as a member
of Templot Club or make any use of this web site. The owner of this web site is not responsible for any content displayed on this web site other than his own contributions. The owner of this
web site may edit, modify or remove any content at any time without giving notice or reason.
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.