HO Scale Bridge Shoe (Pedestal)

prusaprinters

<p><strong><em>Check out my YouTube channel <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC82xXciVxsQKthONKeYbhnw">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC82xXciVxsQKthONKeYbhnw</a> for how to videos about 3d modeling, printing and home automation</em></strong></p> <p>A coworker asked me if I could print him a set of bridge shoes for his model train set (HO scale). He wanted to purchase a model from Shapeways, but I wanted the challenge of creating it from scratch. Here is my version of a real I-beam based rail bridge shoe. This was a somewhat challenging print, due to the overhanging top section. Originally, I designed the model without supports, and attempted to use automatic supports in my Slic3r software. This resulted in a blob of PLA, hardly resembling the original model (support washed together with the print due to the scale and was not removable). To fix this, I added three small extrusions, two underneath the top section flanges, and one underneath the top plate. Printed with 0.2 mm layers in Black PLA, this resulted in a satisfyingly realistic bridge shoe. Hope you enjoy! And, if there's other HO scale models you'd like to see, I'm always up for a challenge!</p> <p>Check out my (mostly functional) 3D designs - (<a href="/bkpsu/designs">https://www.thingiverse.com/bkpsu/designs</a>) ! If you like them and want to support my projects, use one of the links below when you're planning to buy anything from these sites (it won't cost you anything extra!). Thank you in advance!</p> <p>Banggood: <a href="https://goo.gl/uXGg84">https://goo.gl/uXGg84</a><br/> AliExpress: <a href="https://goo.gl/KRNurW">https://goo.gl/KRNurW</a><br/> Amazon: <a href="https://goo.gl/nWhmjJ">https://goo.gl/nWhmjJ</a></p> <h3>Print instructions</h3><h3>Category: Buildings &amp; Structures Instructions</h3> <p>My print settings (for Ultimachine Black PLA on Prusa i3 w/ E3D hotend) were as follows:</p> <p>0.2mm layer height (0.2 mm first layer)<br/> 1 mm retraction<br/> 185 deg-C hotend<br/> 60 deg-C bed (glass with blue painter's tape)<br/> Desk fan blowing at print (after first layer was down)</p>