Hey Everybody;
I need some advice on where to go to find the information to use 3D Printers to create molds and stampings to make various parts for some 1/25th scale models either in plastic, resin, die casting, orstamping out the parts in metal. The models will be of trucks.
Thank you in advance for all help, guidance, and directions.
Thomas
My first thought is some 3D printers cannot duplicate the detail and surface smoothness of 1/25th scale models I'm used to seeing in hobby shops and toy stores. If you need that kind of quality, you can skip the MakerBot and other FDM machines.
Thomas,
No 3D printer is going to be able to make molds for normal injection molding or die casting, nor dies for stamping metal parts; the parts are not anywhere near strong enough. You can make master models that can be used to make silicone rubber molds to cast polyurethane parts. You can make master models for investment casting. You can make vacuum form molds.
As others have noted, the 3D printers typically don't produce fine enough detail for 1/25th models. The Objet machines can probably do it.
I would suggest that you get in touch with ARRK, RPDG, or QuickParts, or some other company that specializes in this type of work.
Jerry Steiger
have a model maker machine the master, then have a RTV rubber mold made, then they can make wax dupicates and then have the investment cast. or you can have urethane parts made in color from the same molds.
The choice will depend on the size of the parts, material and budget.
Take a look at these
MakerBot 3D Printer
SD300 Pro 3D Printer
Z Corp. 3D Printer