Might be the End of an era.

[OldManModeler]

With computer aided design (CAD) software; One can design and build small parts all day long. In their garage.

With the progression of 3D printers within the average home; What we can design is amazing. At home, in our garage.

Common injection molding companies (the model companies that we buy kits from): May become a thing of the past. I think that most plastic model manufacturers are still stagnant in the dark ages.... (40years ago}. Resting on their laurels. Something is coming. No, it is here.

All of your thoughts, input and comments, Is my absolute intent.

Please advise.

Be well. Model on.

Eric

 

[myhobbyroom]

I think it is practical to be able to print a specific tank, truck ,car, plane, ship kit , in your favorite scale. You may wait your whole life time and never see the " kit you always wanted " ever made. I am glad to have been able to purchase a 3d printed Ken Block mustang and truck kit . Maybe the model companies could start selling 3d printing programs to model builders?

 

[BarleyBop]

Yup, I was introduced to 'laser lithography' in the early 90s in my professional life. Now, 3D printing is as ubiquitous as tattoos!

I look at it as yet another tool...

However, if you are old enough to have fashioned objects with simple tools and scratch materials, there just seems to be a level of indirection with CAD and printing 'auto-tune' algorithms that is missing that visceral "with my own hands" satisfaction.

I get the design part, the 'build of your dreams' part, the convenience part, and the 'democratization' of plastic model production part.

Won't it be wonderful when I can just say "Siri, print a two tone 57 Buick, in 1:26 scale, as it appeared in the second half of it's production run, the one my great uncle Joe lost his finger on attaching the front left fender."

Voila!

 

[scottrc78]

I foresee modelers who are not able to do their own source files being able to buy just the 3D files for parts and kits and do their own printing.
I have a few kits I printed from downloaded files. After paying for the files and material, the cost is just a small fraction of what an injection molded kit costs. Even more less if I design my own part or use a file that is public domain. I just picked up a new SLS printer and its fast, clean, and pretty dang reliable compared to older ones I have used. I personally prefer to separate myself from the 3D CAD and printing aspect in the hobby since my profession involves me working in 3D CAD all day. When I go to model, I prefer to distance myself from all the technology so I can decompress.

 

[OldManModeler]

Ya know, after I posted this thread I realized that there are those new to the hobby that will still need to option to buy a kit at the LHS or online. And maybe I would just prefer to buy a plastic kit on a whim.

So, this thread is somewhat too much. Too soon.

Anyway...

Not until California politicians make it all illegal. They will dream up that plastic injection kits, or the glue, or the paint, causes cancer in a rare yellow spotted Botfly located only on a small island in a tributary river in the Congo. No more 1/35th Panzer IV's.