Stabliofarmer

I originally set up the 3D printing topic to highlight this build but that has taken off on its own so I will make a separate topic for this build. Within the build I'll hopefully highlight some of the uses for 3D printing while integrating resin casting and considering speed and economy of manufacture.

Hakki Pilke are a Finnish brand that build a range of firewood equipment. I originally built a batch of 5 Falcon 35 Firewood Processors in 2018

These were scratch built from plastic and when I shared them to my facebook page the demand highlighted a kit would be a feasible. Time to develop a set of 'castable' patterns was always hard to find and hence 3D printing came into it. 

The process starts on the computer using the 3D CAD (Computer Aided Design) software 'Fusion 360'. The components are draw starting with a 2D sketch from which you extrude a basic shape and from the cut and join features until it resembles the parts you want. The individual parts can then be bought together to check the fit.

This is the basic window for Fusion 360. I have drawn the cross section view of the main body and extruded this to create the shape shown.

Drawing onto the right hand side I create the profile I want to cut out for the splitting area and create a cut command to remove the material.

The cuts and shapes become more complex to develop the shape further. The CAD process is probably best related to sculpting, you can either add material to create new items, or you can carve material away to create gaps and spaces.

Detailing is being added here such as hinges (new material) and recesses for parts that are cast separately (carving).

This process is repeated time upon time to build up each part, then all the parts can be bought together as in the above assembly.

When I am happy with the parts and ready to print they need to be save as '.step' files. This is the type of computer file that the 3D printer splicer software can read. To do this they are exported part by part, the photo shows the many parts that will make up the model.

In order to 3D print these .step files must be 'spliced'. A process of turning the model into hundreds of layers about 0.1mm high. For this I use a splicing software called Chitubox which is recommended by Elegoo who make my printer. The parts can be manipulated into the best orientation for printing and the supports required to build the parts are added automatically.

To highlight splicing this is the spliced model set to about half way through printing, you can see how the model will build up in layers.

Thank you Hajo, yes a lucky find, I havent tried to do anything with the upside down logo, I don't think anything could be done other than grind it off. I intend to heavily weather it so hopefully it won't be visible

Interesting Joe, most screen protectors I've come across shatter if handled incorrectly as they work in a sacrificial way breaking instead of the actual screen. Here I've been using the 0.5MM Glazing sheet from Station Road Baseboards https://www.stationroadbaseboards.co.uk/cart_plastic.htm

Very true John. Opens up a whole world of possibilities and one offs, just this weekend I've made two different wheels for a timber tractor project that I'd never have found something to match, within half a day I had a full set of both sat in front of me, marvellous. 

Looking forward to seeing that finished Sean. Printed some 2d views out but yet to get any further, simply not enough hours in the day at the moment! 

Lovely bit of a scene Zac

22 hours ago, catkom3 said:

Excellent model James very well put together, 3D printing is definitely the future for model making / building a little grasp of CAD and the World is your oyster, The things I have sketched up in recent months is just amazeing, On the subject of cab glazeing I'm just wondering how good smart phone screen protectors would be. I had an idea to try that a few months back but the .stl file I had for a DAF CF didn't download properly, ??

Regards

Joe.

I don't think screen protectors are the right material for the job I'm afraid Joe. They behave like glass when it comes to cutting and shaping, I think they'll just shatter/spider web at the first touch of a craft knife. I use 0.5mm clear plasticard, works well and comes with protective backing front and back so you don't scratch or mark it while cutting. 

Alittle bit of progress with the little Standard N. Nearly ready for paint, going to have a go at some of these fancy weathering techniques. 

The finished article, I am very pleased with the final outcome here I have to say. It would have been nice to give the body more detail and a steering axle but I knew if I overcomplicated it I'd never find time to finish it. 

Apologise, not the most Agricultural subject but don't you worry, a build thread coming soon that is more on topic. 

Paint and decals follow, a mixture of spray paint and hand brush to get the details. These days I do alot of painting in matt black because it adherse well to everything then just spray with gloss clear coat after for the shine. 

Up close of the wheels. The ability to rapidly create exact wheel types opens up an whole host of builds. 

Coming together now. 

Good old coffee stirrers for the deck, I've just finished the first 1000 bag of the pack of 3000 I bought in 2015.

All starting to look the part now ready for final assembly. 

Glazing, the bain of any model builders life. Actually very pleased how these went together. A good tight fit and just a fab of PVA to hold them in place. Normally side windows I cut oversize and glue to the back of the panel, here I've cut them to the size of the appature and the final effect is much better. 

This build had been on the cards for years, the Bedford TM was always parked at Glenshee Ski Centre when I was little and I've wanted to make it ever since. 

A few photos from the build. 

I had built the cab a while ago so we pick up at the construction of the body. Laser cut acrylic to build up the repetitive drop side panels. 

The Cuthbertson Snow Plough featured previously will be mounted on the front

A few final cab details,primer is used to give the various bits of card a monochrome colour to identify any hidden issues or likely spots paint won't adhere. 

Some filler primer builds everything up to give a nicer paint finish. 

The chassis is again laser cut acrylic with some 3D printed axles. The wheels and tyres are also 3d printed. 

A few other printed bits detail the chassis to the point I want it, fuel tank battery box etc. Much quicker than building with plastic card. 

The Heavy Equipment Model Show (HEMS) is back once at Turf Moor Stadium in Burnley this Sunday (10th April). I'm taking along a few truck models and works in progress. Hopefully catch a few forum members there even if it isn't farming specific. Will try and get some photos too.

The show features models inside and a selection of real vehicles outside.

It was great to put alot of faces to names, particularly from here on the forum, lots of people that you don't see at other shows further north. 

A big thank you to Colin and family for organising it all

Another regular on the circuit who's name I dont know. 

Zak Andersons (Anderson Agri) big Lower Manor Farm as seen on the forum which placed 1st. 

The gigantic farm display, I've never caught the guys name but the display also visits Toytrac and Warwick

Some of Reg Grays latest work, the multiple levels of the dairy farm were very effective. 

I had a brilliant day out on Sunday, even if a little worse for ware after Saturday nights antics. 

The number of displays seemed to be well recieved by the public but chatting with various traders there was not alot of people people digging deep and spending, likely a reflection of the current economic climate. 

I only managed to grab photos of the displays but there was a veritable delight of items on offer from traders. 

Photos in the order they were taken, sorry for any wrong names! 

Craig Pitman who placed third I think.