The Ship Model Forum

[quote="Sean_the_Nailer"] Only question I'm going to ask at the moment, is is this/are these machines compatible with LINUX towers? I ask this, as My Lady's laser engraver needs to be run off of a Windows system, to-which we had to set up a specific computer for her, just for that machine. I/we much prefer Linux and would definitely like to continue doing so.[/quote]

Sean,
You would have to look at whatever 3D CAD program and slicing software you are thinking about using. Those program requirements are generally listed on their website(s). Once a part has been drawn up in the CAD program, an ".STL" file is created, and that is what the printer follows to print the part. I just checked the Chitu Slicing Software website and their Basic (free) slicer runs on all OS systems, LINUX included.

Hope this helps,

Hank

Well gentlemen, it's like this.....

WOW,

and

THANKS

And then some! I am learning vicariously here, and you'se guys's are definitely helping me achieve progress better. I too am going to be purchasing a resin printer, and it is for my BB62 build, and not having a clue where to start I look at ya'll.

Excellent, and keep it up. Please. Only question I'm going to ask at the moment, is is this/are these machines compatible with LINUX towers? I ask this, as My Lady's laser engraver needs to be run off of a Windows system, to-which we had to set up a specific computer for her, just for that machine. I/we much prefer Linux and would definitely like to continue doing so.

Now as to the files for these parts and such, we'll eventually have to have a completely different discussion, probably elsewhere. In time.

The brain-trust here is astounding.

And further commentary re. the Mk. 8 RADAR will continue on the Mk. 38 FC Director thread.... :thumbs_up_1:

Tom,

I think I'll attempt the Mk. 8 RADAR unit next. As I have the Mk. 38 Rangefinder as a separate design, this should be a rather straightforward design effort. Then add the Mk. 8 to a new rangefinder file.

Mk. 8 RADAR -
[attachment=1]Mk. 8 FC Antenna Front View.jpg[/attachment]
[attachment=0]Mk. 8 FC Antenna Rear View.jpg[/attachment]

The side angle bracing and connection points are quite similar to the Mk. 13, so that can be reused and modified as needed.

Hank

I wonder if the radar unit would be best printed as a separate piece due to belly sagging issues and supports. Maybe print the rails and supports on the director and radar cover separate? I would expect a MK 38 to print well indeed! Alaska had the earlier uncovered unit, a complex piece but could probably be printed fine.

Tom

[quote="Fliger747"]Hank:
No paralysis by analysis, do it! I thought the 200 crane looked really good! !:200 stuff can print pretty well, I was very happy and surprised with my quad Bofors and Orlikons (Something out of the Hobbit trilogy?)
I'd like to see what your MK 38 looks like in 1:200!
Tom[/quote]

Tom,

Well, here is the 1/200 scaled design picture -
[attachment=0]1-200 scale Main Battery FC & RADAR Unit.JPG[/attachment]
I filled in the body of the director at this scale and have a print file ready to go when my morning print run finishes in a short while. So, we shall see!!! :thumbs_up_1:

Hank

Besides - if this comes out, I'll need at least one for the project I mentioned to you a week or so ago!

Hank:

No paralysis by analysis, do it! I thought the 200 crane looked really good! !:200 stuff can print pretty well, I was very happy and surprised with my quad Bofors and Orlikons (Something out of the Hobbit trilogy?)

I'd like to see what your MK 38 looks like in 1:200!

Tom

[quote="Fliger747"]Hank:
We are all looking forward to seeing your new creativity with the new (and larger) printer.
Tom[/quote]

Tom,
Today I got the 2nd printing done of both a 1/48 scale and a 1/200 scale crane and the control consoles in several scales. The 2nd printing had a few modifications at critical points in the crane which gave it a bit more support and seemed to work well -
[attachment=1]AC Crane 1-200 & 1-48 scales.jpeg[/attachment]
[attachment=0]AC Crane Control Unit_1.jpeg[/attachment]
The large version of the crane still needs drying tonight and then curing tomorrow a.m. and finally painting, etc. The crane hook is a separate part that will be rigged with either black or dk. gray thread. As these cables were greased and dirty, I'm leaning towards black at this juncture.

The 1st printing of the 1/48 scale crane (well, both of them actually) I did desupport but will not use either as there are some issues with both. However, I was surprised at how much detail came out on the smaller version - this new printer is performing very well!!

A fun project all around - whether I replace the existing crane on my NEW JERSEY model is up in the air - this one IS correct so that is giving me some reason to actually replace the existing one, but I'll have to do some serious thinking on this!!

Hank

Hank:

We are all looking forward to seeing your new creativity with the new (and larger) printer.

Tom

[quote="Fliger747"]Hank:
Did it pass the smoke test when you plugged it in? (No smoke leaks out).[/quote]

Tom,

I guess it did. Everything seems "Ready to Freddy"

:doh_1: - I should have put these 3D posts on the 3D Printer thread, not this one....My Bad!!!

Hank

Hank:

Did it pass the smoke test when you plugged it in? (No smoke leaks out).

Tom,

Well, I'm glad that came out to your liking!! I've got that set up on my first print run, but at 1/96 scale (maybe tomorrow). Here's the printer set up and ready to attempt the initial printing -
[attachment=0]AC Photon Mono X 6K Printer_2.jpeg[/attachment]

Hank

Hank:

I printed your Control Console out at 1:200 and it printed quite nicely, though to see the details one needs a Loup.

Enjoy your new printer! Tom

Hank:

Just remember that "Lucky beats good! Any day!"

Tonight, I read thru quite a few negative reviews of the Phrozen Mighty 8K - thus, the decision has been made to purchase (and I HAVE done so!) the Any Cubic Photon Mono 6K SLA printer. So, in the meantime, I'm working with the latest Chitubox slicing program and getting a file setup for a test run.

Looking forward to seeing what this new machine will produce!!

Hank

While the printer solution is still up in the air, I went back tonight and have done more work on the crane design. So, as of now I've pretty much got this wrapped up - the real challenge will be printing it - when, that's a biggie, I've got to make a decision on the printer purchase before The Admiral finds something else around the house that needs replacing, etc. The Dept. of Honey-Do Projects never sleeps - always open 24-7. :doh_1:

Here is the crane assembly as it stands -
[attachment=1]1-48 scale BB-62 A C Crane Progress_4.JPG[/attachment]
[attachment=0]1-48 scale BB-62 A C Crane Progress_5.JPG[/attachment]
The small hook unit hanging in mid air will be rigged with separate thread, etc. On the smaller version of this part (1/200 scale) I would design 3D lines for the rigging in the overall part.

As for the printer replacement, I'm seriously considering the Phrozen Sonic Mighty 8K SLA Printer, but as yet have not made the final decision.

Hank

After consulting with several other 3D modelers who are more astute in "all things 3D wise", it was brought to my attention that possibly the Z axis sensor had failed, thus rendering the printer to fail. After follow up and analysis, this is what the case seems to be, and the printer has been summarily decommissioned, boxed up, and will be put in the recycle bin next week. I can't see spending any further time/money/effort when there are newer, faster, larger printers available at a reasonable price. After a consultation with the 3D Admiralty board, I'll decide which of two machines I am currently looking at as to which one gets the nod!

As of now, the shipyard will take a brief hiatus while the parts department regroups, etc.

Needless to say, the Design Dept. will continue with the work at hand.... :thumbs_up_1:

Hank

Yes, having time to make all the small details is worth the effort, IMHO.

Tonight I think I've got the lower crane base unit completed -
[attachment=0]1-48 scale BB-62 A C Crane Progress_3.JPG[/attachment]

The key will be mating the crane itself to the base and hope that it fits! May work on that tomorrow as the printer is currently edging towards Hospice..... :frown_2:

Hank

Hank:

Indeed the Mockup proof of concept models of the Iowa's showed various differences from the as built. One was a similar shelf tab the top of the armor belt as in the SODAK's. Another was a nest of boats midships as was common to earlier battlewagons with large crane. The Alaska's with their midships hangar retained large cranes, though they only had a standard compliment of two 26' MWB's, they often carried boats (on dollys) on the main deck forward of the stack as well as a compliment of four aircraft.

An individual hobbyist can afford to take considerable time to research and even do items perhaps only common to a single ship, whereas a manufacturer with great resources, often doesn't have the luxury of design research in comparable depth. An example you are familiar with is the hull contour errors in the Trumpeter Iowa's. Someone apparently just said draw up a Battleship hull, looking at a waterline photo...

Cheers: Tom

[quote="Fliger747"]You are doing a lot of small projects, but in doing so pushing many limits and adding to your abilities. Plan books aren't always perfect, photos often don't give us enough views but we can by their use get closer to correct than a plan book that may be wrong. It's awfully tempting to go back and replace items on a model as we can produce better ones.
Keep up the good work! Tom[/quote]

Tom,
Thanks so much for your continued support & contributions to my threads. One thing that I'm noticing is that now that there are some various 3D parts makers out there and in some cases designing and printing similar parts, that not all is equal in detail and accuracy. So, at this point, I'm content to rely more on my own abilities to research, draft, and design my own parts that I can confidently say are pretty accurate. But, as we all know, modeling has it's limitations and that has to be accounted for in this facet of the hobby, as well.

Tom wrote: "I just had the brain fart that the reason the cranes may have been beefed up is the boats, boats are much heavier than aircraft, at least as carried shipboard. Wartime the Iowa's didn't carry much in the way of boats, but peacetime, showing the flag, a 26' MWB just wouldn't cut the mustard at a Med port call."

I think that's a VERY valid point to be made - and one I obviously overlooked. :doh_1:

Of course, that reminds me of the 1980s reconstruction aboard NEW JERSEY - when the amidship area of the superstructure was being gutted for the addition of the Tomahawks and their associated support areas (where the old triple 40mm quad mounts used to reside), the yard workers discovered the larger support beams that had been put there in the original build of the ship to support the various ship's boats that would have been there instead of the addition of the 40mm mounts. So, perhaps in the 1950 refit for Korea it was a combination of newer, heavier aircraft AND the additional need for multiple boat handling chores for (as you said) Med. cruises, that facilitated the newer, beefier a/c crane.

I now have my replacement LCD in hand and will hopefully get the printer reassembled tomorrow with successful results pending. So, further design work on the a/c crane base unit tonight.

Hank