Small Precision Metal Working Machinery

Which printer(s) would that be?

 

That was done on a $350,000 Stratasys machine

Yeah? I've run metal working equipment lights out all through the night and weekend

The parts in the photos were made 100% while I was out on the town having dinner or home sleeping
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The price point tells me it is a production printer. Do you really need a production printer designed for extended runs for model making? I thought we are talking about 1-off parts. Production equipment are not designed to deliver the highest resolution, they're primarily designed for speed and economy. And because they are very expensive, they are not retired or replaced until they have at least returned enough profit to justify their fixed costs... so they tend to be using older technology.

FWIW, the high quality samples shown above were made on a $3500 desktop printer.

So your setup would machine finished copies of a body fender for a 1/18 car model lights-out? There's a big difference in detail between ferrules and a copy of an intricate car body fender.

 

My points are that you can't replace one technology with another that does not yield the same results.

If I want to get from NY to LA in a day, I get on an airplane, I don't drive there in a car

 

The only decent 3D printed car model that I've seen required something like 520 hours of printing and 130 hours of finishing on a 40% scale item.

 

I understand your analogy. However, these printers are specifically designed for model-making. At any rate, driving to the airport, checking in and going through security, waiting for take-off... finally arriving, waiting for your baggage to deplane and getting a cab is often slower and much more complicated than just catching a bullet train in Germany... or heaven-forbid, in China.

Also keep in mind that lathes and milling machines are based on the same basic technology used for over 100 years. There's not going to be very many new lathe and milling innovations introduced in the short term whereas 3D printing innovation is relatively new and will reap the benefits of massive new business interests and technology.
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That may be true... if the WHOLE MODEL was 3D printed.

 

That's not true. The technology advances all the time - in fact, I have 2 patents in the industry

My point is / was, every tool / technology has a purpose and it's key to apply the technology where it excels.

 

BuildParts Article

 

Peter,

I am aware of at least one respected model railroad motor/gearbox maker that uses Sherline equipment, so I don't think of them as toys. I rented a Sherline CNC mill for a few weeks to test it out and was satisfied with it, at least for aluminum, brass, etc..

I don't think we are violating any terms of service in having this discussion.

Thanks again for your opinions.

Carmine

 

Forgot about them. I'll look at those also.

I'd like to also, but I think those days are behind me.

 

From my very limited research into the Unimats, I believe the Sherline of today is a better machine than the Unimat of 1970-ish. Particularly in terms of the torsional strength of the bed. I sounds like others with first-hand info have already spoken up in this thread.

 

I don't think the technology is there yet for metal parts like working engine components.

Yet. ;-)

 

Probably not for small scale working machinery. I expect to have to be in the .0003" arena. I could be wrong.

 

OK, I see why you are so committed to it. Good for you! Don't get me wrong I luv fine machine tools too.

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I agree. I'm just pointing out 3D printers are also designed to make small scale models. I'm sure some parts are better and more easily turned or milled but intricate patterns and details are much more easily handled by 3D printers, especially once the full-scale objects are scanned in with 3D scanners. The technology can address all 3 dimensions simultaneously.

 

I absolutely agree, but for resin models they are there.

Yes, it's just a matter of time. I think the printers are for the most part, just "black boxes". It's the software and the data acquisition (scanning) that represent the learning curve.

 

I have experience with a full detail, all open 3D 1/12 scale printed model and it is a PITA. Fortunately the budget allowed for all of the effort.

One offs are fine...but duplicates are too costly so using the print as a master for casting is what companies like MFH practice.

You guys can get beck to your pi--ing contest now

 

Yes, not for WORKING machinery, but should be OK for resin models.

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80µm = 00315", 20µm = 0.00079", 10µm = 0.00039", 5µm = 0.00019".

I suspect an issue that may be holding back the home market for 3D metal printing is whether this might pose a security risk.

 

..now, now, that's not nice. What we have here is simply a vibrant cross-pollination of views. I hope that came out right.

 

The smile meant I was teasing😎

 

I have a MicroMark mill and lathe, both.

I like them because they are relatively inexpensive machines upgraded from Chinese origins. That means that they are inexpensive, but function in true US measurements. IE, one turn of a handle equates to 0.050", not a metric number translated into inches (like 0.652" or whatever).

My lathe is the MicroLux 7x16 Mini Lathe. It's rather sturdy for such an open design.

They are not as nice as an old (and huge and heavy and expensive) lathe or mill, like a Bridgeport, but they will work well for what you're describing.

I like https://littlemachineshop.com/ for tools and upgrades.

In my opinion the Sherline is only a toy. Anyone is likely to outgrow it.

Matt

 

I have owned and used the Micromark machines...just not up to snuff...and for fine machining I have never had an issue with my Sherline...it is certainly not a toy.

Good try though

Have a look at this:

http://www.craftsmanshipmuseum.com/

http://sherline.com/about/factory-tour/

http://sherline.com/test-cuts/

 

My model making workshop also has experience in this area, as well as with 3D printing.

That said the only thing I will chime in on in this thread is that I agree with Peter...."Sherline is certainly not a toy."

 

I apologize.

I was thinking about those 3-in-1 machines. Not Sherline.

Matt