Is There Time - The Build of Willy.

[Jasonb]

.....................To build another engine before the end of the year?

Just landed on the doormat, 10 days after sending off the file to Craftcloud.

Jump to this post if you are just here for the build

https://www.modelenginemaker.com/index.php/topic,12683.msg301815.html#msg301815

[Alyn Foundry]

Oh Jason…. Not another  steam engine?

Presumably as time goes by and the technology improves this method will become the norm? Fully functional passageways, no risk of blockages etc, I’m impressed.

Merry Christmas.

   Graham.

[Sanjay F]

.....................To build another engine before the end of the year?

Just landed on the doormat, 10 days after sending off the file to Craftcloud.

Looks good, did that come from China when you selectedf the option of where to manufacture? If so, that's pretty good!

I'll bet the engine is up and running before midnight New Years eve! 

[Jasonb]

Oh Jason…. Not another  steam engine?

And just just one 

Though I think I will struggle to make all of them before the clock strikes 12.

I did not actually intend to use the file with teh holes as I just used that to get an idea of costs. I modified the file to be more like a pattern with no holes and some machining allowance and then deleted the wrong file at checkout. Luckily th ehole sare under size so will ream or drill out OK. Does open up the possibilities for cored in passages etc.

But don't worry as I can multitask

[Jasonb]

Yes I picked the suggested Chinese supplier so that is quite a good turn around, half of that was the FedEx delivery which was interesting to track across China, to india, then france before 3 stops in the UK.

As there was a fixe "job" price it seemed rude to just order one so I played with the quantity and got six for the samme price as one. And still less than what a single casting from Stuarts would set me back.

Just need some of that quick drying paint to be sure to get it all done in time

[crueby]

They are breeding!  Run!   




What material are they, which kind of printing? 

[vtsteam]

Finally an explanation of Easter Island.

[crueby]

Finally an explanation of Easter Island.

[steam guy willy]

Hi, On the 5th day of Xmass my foundry gave to me 6 lovely castings >>>>>>!!!!!!!!!!!!  looking very smart 

Willy

[Jasonb]

None of those old fashioned nasty castings here. Those are your finest Chinese 3D metal prints.

I went with Aluminium prints this time as I have already tried the stainless steel. SLM printing with a bead basted finish.

I'll put a bronze bush in for the crankshaft and see how the port face works out. If it starts to pick up I can machine it back and bond on a thin piece of brass or bronze but as the engine is just going to be run for fun and not made to work hard I suspect the Ali will be fine.

[petertha]

Just landed on the doormat, 10 days after sending off the file to Craftcloud.

I had CraftCloud saved as a link from some previous posting, I've forgotten where. Subsequently, I stumbled on a more local post that was quite negative about repeat orders. Who knows if this is representative of doing business with them in general but the comment was something to the effect they are more like a broker service that facilitates the physical printing to any number of vendors. i.e. they don't print themselves & that somewhat explained the good/bad results. Have you had any similar experience or can you offer any comments in this regard? Do you somehow specify or select a particular printing service from a list of quotes or does all this happen relatively 'un-named' behind the curtain?

[Sanjay F]

When I have used Craftcloud the nearshore suppliers like Poland for instance are over 3 times the price before taking the shipping into account?

They are very much a broker and I have used a Chinese supplier twice and same experience as Jason, quality is excellent, postage is a lot of the price, but I was happy all round

[Jasonb]

Yes they are a German based "agent" that many suppliers worldwide will quote for. You can pick your price and where it comes from. I've had two Chinese firms do metal prints and a French one do PLA all have been very efficient with good communication and I have been more than happy with the quality even though I went with the cheapest of many prices.

This is how many of the printing and CNC services work like Xometry. You submit test parts to them and if they meet the quality requirements then you go on  their list and can quote for jobs. So it could just as easily be a print from one man CNC or printer in their garage in the US or UK to a factory print farm or warehouse full of CNC machines in the far east that makes the part

Why not upload a file and have a play with the materials, pricing and quantities then you can see how price varies with lead times and where it comes from. As Sanjay says postage can be a large part of the cost, or others like in this case quote an all in minimum cost that covers the job and postage inc taxes. So if like these the part is small you can get more than one done and it still falls within the minimum charge.

[Jasonb]

Here is an example of a flywheel pattern. once uploaded I have the choice of 168 different materials.

Each one can have over 100 offers or prices from that many companies

[petertha]

Thanks for replies. Yes I will be uploading some files in not too distant future so keeping a tally of various services/experiences I've heard about from others.