Laser Cutting in 3-D Printing for Railway Modellers

by Bob Gledhill

Overview

This fascinating book describes in non-technical language how these machines work and how railway modellers can use laser cutting in 3-D printing to produce remarkable models for their layouts. With reference to the different modelling scales, the author discusses the advantages and disadvantages of different types of machines and materials they employ. Bob Gledhill also shows how beginners can install and use 'Sketchup Make', a free CAD (Computer Aided Design) program from the Internet. The author takes the modeller through the early stages of using this program before providing many examples of how to design model railway related items such as laser-cut roofing tiles, palisade fencing, brickwork, and the detailed elements of station awning. In addition, he demonstrates how to create 3-D printed furniture, barrels, packing crates, guttering and down pipes, rivet heads, and a workman's hut. The CAD skills learnt whilst following the clear instructions on how to draw these examples will enable modellers to design their own model railway parts, which can either be produced on their own machines or be sent away to be created by one of the many 'bureau' companies.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781785002267
Publisher:	Crowood Press, The
Publication date:	02/27/2017
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	7.40(w) x 9.60(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Bob Gledhill became interested in railway modelling when he was a boy.  He trained as a handicraft teacher, left teaching to start his own educational software business in 1984, and returned to railway modelling again when he took early retirement.  Bob quickly adopted Digital Command Control (DCC) and joined MERG (the Model Electronics Railway Group) to learn the use of electronics in railway modelling.  Purchasing first a laser cutter and, more recently, 3-D printers, Bob has pioneered their use in railway modelling.  He has twice been a guest tutor at the Missenden Abbey railway modellers courses where he has  instructed others in the use of laser cutting and 3-D printing techniques.

Table of Contents

Preface 7

Introduction 9

Part I Cad 18

1 Introducing Cad 18

2 Installing and Setting Up Sketchup Make 19

3 Installing and Using Netfabb 31

4 2-D Cad Basics 34

5 3-D Cad Basics 46

6 2-D and 3-D Advanced Cad 53

Part II Laser Cutting 64

7 Enhancing Your Hobby With a Laser Cutter 64

8 Laser Cutting Machines 65

9 The Laser Cutter 68

10 Materials For Laser Cutting 78

11 Projects: Laser Cutting 87

Introduction to Laser Cutting 87

Laser Test Piece 87

Roofing Tiles 89

Window Frames 94

Palisade Fencing 98

Post and Wire Lineside Fencing 104

Laser-cut Brickwork 110

Station Awning Detail 115

12 Hints and Tips 117

Part III 3-D Printing 120

13 Enhancing Your Hobby with A 3-D Printer 120

14 3-D Printers - What's Available 121

15 The 3-D Printer 122

16 The 3-D Scanner 134

17 Materials for 3-D Printing 136

18 Projects: 3-D Printing 139

Introduction to 3-D Printing 139

3-D Printer Test Pieces 139

Furniture 149

3-D Station Name Board 163

Barrel 165

Packing Crate 168

Guttering and Downpipes 173

Rivet Heads 179

Workman's Hut 185

19 Hints and Tips 200

Suppliers 205

Index 207