Ever since I saw the 007 movie Skyfall and its amazing 3D printed model Aston Martin DB5, I've wondered what a 3D printed project SWORD or Spacex model might look like.
Well, I think we have that one nailed. During one of my random trawls of the net I found this ubercool 3D printed model of our Spacex friend, the Lunar Orbiter no less!
Andrew Filo/ LOIRP
From reading the article it appears to be a gift for donors to the Lunar Orbiter photography archive last month [LOIRP]. There is also a model with an excellent custom lunar base. I wanted to contact them about the models and the photograph but couldn't find a working contact email address.
I really like the simplicity of this model and I'm excited by the possibilities of 3D printing. Has anyone any experience of it?
About twenty years ago, I had a go at printing up on some thin card the panels of a 1/72nd Thunderbird Four. After assembly, I soaked it in resin, and then did some kit-bashing to detail it all up. A few years ago, I managed to get the same-scale Konami version, and to my delight, I found that they were exactly the same size. So I’d say 3D printing is very exciting.
ReplyDeleteI happened to attend a 3D printing workshop the other day, with similar vague ideas in the back of my mind as possibilities. Fascinating to see, but there's a huge drawback as far as the resolution is concerned. The printers on show were for home use, and they can't produce a diagonal or curved surface without a multitude of little stepped ridges in them (think pixelisation but along 3 axes). Which doesn't apply too much on the Orbiter you're showing there, because all the vertical surfaces are truly vertical. Whereas the Spacex Orbiter has rounded parts where the ridges would very much be present.
ReplyDeleteThere are finer-resolution printers out there, but I fear the cost of those is prohibitive.
Best -- Paul
As the technology improves and prices eventually come down Airfix etc may be in trouble! Here are some pics from someone who is doing models of the spaceships from the Wing Commander PC games -
ReplyDeletehttp://www.shapeways.com/shops/terranfleetsupply?s=0
The largest model he can make so far is about 5 inches long, but eventually home printers will be able to do larger ones.
Shapeways is a manufacturer's site, where people can get their 3D file printed and then offer them for sale (similar to sites where one can sell one's images applied to t-shirts or coffee mugs etc.). The resolution is very much finer, but the associated cost is high (and the percentage the 'owner' of the 3D file gets is rather low).
ReplyDeleteBest -- Paul
The 3D printed gun that's appeared on the News recently is a worrying development. Someone will make a lot a money selling the plans I bet. Sad but inevitable.
ReplyDelete