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01-09-2010, 11:14 PM | #1 |
EQ-Viper
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Canada
Posts: 4,343
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This is something I've been thinking about for a while. How feasible is it to create a custom head or torso in a 3D rendering program (like, say, 3DStudio Max), export the file to *.dxf format (a.k.a. CAD format) so it can be read by a 4 (or 6) axis CNC miller/router, and mill/shape it in plastic?
I've seen some hardware forums where they talk about it being possible to mill detailed shapes in plastic from CAD files, so has anybody here tried this with 1:18 scale objects and figures? |
01-10-2010, 01:15 AM | #2 |
Iron Grenadier
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Statesboro, GA
Posts: 705
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It's possible but very expensive. What you are talking about is proffesional level toy making. At a hobby level, most just prototype the part or figure using silicon molds and liquid resin kits. The parts are sculpted in either clay or wax. The cost value is less than $100 dollars to produce. Cad programs and Rapid Prototype Printers are extreamly expensive. Something close to $1,000 to $2,000 to produce and you still have to make a mold, either silicon mold for resin casting or metal mold for plastic injection because the printed part is not used in the finial stage in production, hense being called prototyping printer.
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01-10-2010, 01:49 AM | #3 |
EQ-Viper
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Canada
Posts: 4,343
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Thanks for the response. Thing is, I already know somebody who has 3DSMax and is an expert in its use (he works as a 3D modeler for a video game company) and I also know someone who has a 4-axis CNC miller/router. Given that the equipment, software, and expertise is more or less readily available, would it be feasible (cost and effort-wise) to use those resources for 1:18 sculpting? Or would it still be too expensive?
Alternatively, would a 4-axis CNC machine be agile enough to create a metal mold for plastic injection of detailed 1:18 parts? |
01-10-2010, 01:58 AM | #4 |
Hisstank.Com General
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 5,111
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i'm not sure, but that's a good idea actually. my boss's brother has one, and i know the programmer, i could probably have access to it. i mean i could give him a design and have it done. me thinks, me thinks....
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01-10-2010, 02:02 AM | #5 |
DeceptiGrenadier
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Broca Beach, MI
Posts: 12,187
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Before getting laid-off, I was a CNC machine operator and worked with Brass, Stainless Steel, Aluminum & Cast Iron Steel. Unless you were making a high volume production run of a part(s), this would not be very cheap. If you already had the molds however, and know someone (as you stated) that has a CNC machine and knows how to program and design the program, then this may be something that would be worth while looking into. It still won't be very cheap, but would be cheaper than going to a company by a ton of $$$$. I think if you are going to do this, go with larger vehicle molds like Terror Drome, USS Flagg, Rolling Thunder, etc. and I'm sure there would be a considerable amount of interest and demand for such products. Using a CNC machine to make a 1:18 scale cast head is overkill unless you would be producing like 50-100 at the same time and just let the program machine all of the heads out of the stock material (plastic) and then deburr each individual head after they are done. What kind of machine center are you using, HAAS, Mori Seiki, Makino, etc? I have done setups, proven first piece prototypes and run full production on those 3 CNC machines and used 3,4 and 5 axis CNC machines as well as vertical and horizontal centers and Fanuc robotics.
This can be done for sure, but at what cost are you willing to do this I guess is the best question?
__________________
Rest in peace my son, Aaron Michael. You will always be in our hearts and prayers. 9/13/2012 |
01-10-2010, 02:03 AM | #6 |
DeceptiGrenadier
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Broca Beach, MI
Posts: 12,187
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The tooling needed for these machines is not cheap either, another thing to keep in mind.
__________________
Rest in peace my son, Aaron Michael. You will always be in our hearts and prayers. 9/13/2012 |
01-10-2010, 02:04 AM | #7 |
Mountainlander
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: formerly of Chile
Posts: 1,821
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Yes, it should be possible. Be aware though that the more common 3D printers have a resolution that is relatively crappy for the amount of detail of a joe figure. Meaning, you would have to sand the resulting parts as there would be visible lines all through it. A full blown cnc miller should give better results, but also be way more expensive.
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01-10-2010, 02:20 AM | #8 |
EQ-Viper
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Canada
Posts: 4,343
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Quote:
The 3D sculptor I know has 3DSMax (forgot the version) which can export to *.dxf. Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Yes, it should be possible. Be aware though that the more common 3D printers have a resolution that is relatively crappy for the amount of detail of a joe figure. Meaning, you would have to sand the resulting parts as there would be visible lines all through it. A full blown cnc miller should give better results, but also be way more expensive.
Thanks for all the helpful responses, guys. |
01-10-2010, 02:21 AM | #9 |
Crimson Guard
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: texas
Posts: 1,373
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I wouldn't use 3DSmax. At my old job we used Maya and modeled everything in nurbs not pollies. Nurbs will give you a more organic model. One of my friends at Mcfarlane said they model with Zbrush and Rhino 3D.
Also you can pickup a copy of Blender for free. It's an open source cross platform modeling program. I've never used it but hey it's free all the others will cost you big time. As for a CNC machine never seen one used for toys I guess it could be done. But I wouldn't use it. We always used 3D lazer printers. There are studios that use them for making jewelry. They are great for fine detail on small parts. You can find places online that will print them for you. We made 35mm toy soldiers. They would cost around $50 to print them out, plus shipping for UPS. But you still need to make molds and cast them. Silicone will cost you around $100 a gallon. On the up side you won't used much. Plus there are all kindsa different castin resins. But most places are really helpful. Just tell them what you are wanting to do and see if they will send you sample kits to test with. Remember do your homework on mold making and casting. In time you'll get the hang of it. Also paperclips work great for venting in molds. Always make vents so air does not get trapped in the mold. Start small and work your way up. Hope this helps. |
01-10-2010, 02:30 AM | #10 |
EQ-Viper
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Canada
Posts: 4,343
|
Quote:
Quote:
We always used 3D lazer printers. There are studios that use them for making jewelry. They are great for fine detail on small parts. You can find places online that will print them for you. We made 35mm toy soldiers. They would cost around $50 to print them out, plus shipping for UPS.
Thanks for the very helpful and informative response. |
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