Next step in moulding models?

[hirofkd]

Originally posted by flyonthewall
I came across the toy builders site once before, what are their costs for such a project?

About 350USD shipping and tax included. (ouch)
Don't worry, I'll get some money back by selling copies.
I needed to know if the procedure would work with my existing software, how long the turn around time was, and how the quality was like.

I designed a 3d model in Rhino3D, and converted it into STL file. It was sent to them via email for a price estimate.

Wheel is very difficult to make, unless you have a good milling machine and rotating table. But...come to think, two commissions of this kind ($700) would buy me a pretty good machine, so I haven't ordered another part since then.
But if I do it myself, it takes a lot of my time, compared to designing on PC, and time is not free, as you know it, so I might do it, when it's feasible.
FF supra wheel would be a good project, actually.

[flyonthewall]

That is expensive! So what wheel is it?

[wkma7six]

Originally posted by jay@af
Walter (wkma7six) gets to work with those rapid prototyping machines now.

He said it works with laser-cured resin or something...

Hey guys.
Yes, Jay is correct about the rapid prototyping system. Here is a link to what it is.
http://www.3dsystems.com/products/sla/tour/movtest.asp
If you guys have a high speed connection, you'll be able to view the quicktime movie about the process. Its really cool. I'm trying to learn 3d Max in order to model my own rims in 24th scale. It can build pretty much anything, but round cylindrical objects come out perfectly-down to the tiniest of details. I'm having a blast at work playing with digital imaging. Oh, if you're wondering what my work uses it for - we use it for movie props and very detailed models that are used in the toy industry.
I haven't had much going on as far as models, but I'm trying to get things for Tamiya / con 2003.

-Walter