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Post by indycals on Jun 6, 2016 13:42:52 GMT -5
Here's a preview of some of the new parts I'm working on for the Merit Alfa 158 (1950 world champion) kit. New engine, radiator and cockpit details. Hope to get to Shapeways for first prototyping later this week. Also working on much improved decals from what the kit comes with.
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Post by indydog on Jun 7, 2016 8:06:57 GMT -5
SWEET! Let me know when they are ready!
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Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jun 7, 2016 17:32:05 GMT -5
Very nice....I will take a set!!
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Post by clm1545 on Jun 7, 2016 18:11:20 GMT -5
Looks great, Michael. That, and some nice wheels would really make that kit a stunner.
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Post by indycals on Jun 7, 2016 23:48:42 GMT -5
Looks great, Michael. That, and some nice wheels would really make that kit a stunner. The Herb Deeks wheels on eBay work great with this. I got ambitious and did a new grille too.
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Post by pje on Jun 8, 2016 0:20:27 GMT -5
Oh, be still my heart! That looks fantastic!, I'm sold.
Paul Erlendson
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Post by eagle36 on Jun 8, 2016 6:12:47 GMT -5
Sign me up! Glad I've let my kit languish till now!
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Post by sandysixtysfan on Jun 8, 2016 8:20:22 GMT -5
Looks great! I have the SMER kit of the 158 which I think is the Merit kit? Sandy
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Post by pje on Jun 8, 2016 10:55:34 GMT -5
Looks great! I have the SMER kit of the 158 which I think is the Merit kit? Sandy Yes Sandy, same kit. Paul Erlendson
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Post by sandysixtysfan on Jun 8, 2016 15:21:39 GMT -5
Looks great! I have the SMER kit of the 158 which I think is the Merit kit? Sandy Yes Sandy, same kit. Paul Erlendson Thanks sir. Ready for the upgrade kit now!
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Post by harveythedog2 on Jun 9, 2016 7:14:46 GMT -5
I have always wanted to do this kit ever since I saw the build that a guy did in the old MRRN magazine. This is the incentive I need!
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Post by Patrick on Jun 9, 2016 11:42:59 GMT -5
I did this kit a couple of times back in the late 70s...note no engine shots... Thank you Michael for doing something on this venerable kit. The parts look great. Patrick
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Post by indycals on Jun 9, 2016 15:42:56 GMT -5
I think I might be getting carried away, LOL
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Post by indydog on Jun 9, 2016 16:57:26 GMT -5
No you're not.
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Post by indycals on Jun 9, 2016 17:07:40 GMT -5
I just hope everything fits
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Post by 1961redlegs on Jun 10, 2016 18:16:11 GMT -5
Wow! I'm in for one as well, you do amazing work.
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Post by indycals on Jun 11, 2016 1:20:58 GMT -5
OMG, this file has been driving me nucking-futz getting it ready for 3d printing! I've been working at it all day trying to debug it as much as possible, but I think I finally have it! Looks like I'll have by July 4.
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Post by pje on Jun 11, 2016 9:19:54 GMT -5
OMG, this file has been driving me nucking-futz getting it ready for 3d printing! I've been working at it all day trying to debug it as much as possible, but I think I finally have it! Looks like I'll have by July 4. Being an old drafter I'd be interested in hearing more of your "debugging" process and how you set up these parts for printing. Paul Erlendson
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Post by indycals on Jun 11, 2016 16:23:04 GMT -5
Basically it's about the integrity of the file and the file requirements that must be met, which are:
File size: 64MB max Polygons: the little triangles that make up the 'mesh', which is your object(s) - 1,000,000 polygons max Bounding Box: Each part must have an X+Y+Z bounding box at least 12mm, and the max bounding box for all parts is 284 x 184 x 204 for Frosted Ultra Detail or 50x50x200 for Frosted Extreme Detail. Then there are limits like minimum supported wall thickness (0.3mm), min unsupported wall (0.6mm), min embossed details (0.1mm)
I keep forgetting about the minimum bounding Box requirements and make parts that are too small. So that was my first snag. But after I fixed them I was still getting Bounding Box errors - turns out there is an unwritten requirement that it's not just X+Y+Z≥12mm, but two the dimensions must be greater than 2.49mm - i.e. a tube 1mm diameter and 15mm long would be 1+1+15=17, but the 1 and 1 do not meet the 2.49mm requirement, thus the part is flagged as too small (except Shapeways doesn't TELL you that!).
On top of that, on some uploads Shapeways would generate artifacts out of nothing that would not meet the minimum bounding box.
Then despite my file size coming in around 50MB, I was over 1,000,000 polygons so I had to figure that out. Also when I ran the file through NetFab basic which is standard routine to insure file integrity, it was randomly inverting 50,000-100,000 triangles, which can also create problems.
So basically it was 8 hours of trial and error and troubleshooting before I finally generated a flawless file. the biggest time consumer was the time it took the file to upload and process on Shapeways to see if it passed the test - I didn't time it, but I'd say it was close to 20 minutes. Doing that 7 or 8 times eats up the day pretty fast.
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Post by indycals on Jun 11, 2016 16:24:53 GMT -5
So basically it's fixed, it's ordered and should ship July 1st.
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Post by pje on Jun 11, 2016 21:27:47 GMT -5
Thanks for the explanation Michael. Similar in principal to what I had to do with building contour maps and closing surveys. Yours is much more intvolved though!
Paul Erlendson
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Post by indydog on Jun 11, 2016 21:53:59 GMT -5
Sounds like it would be easier, and faster, just to cast them in resin... the "old fashioned" way.
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Post by indycals on Jun 11, 2016 23:12:44 GMT -5
Sounds like it would be easier, and faster, just to cast them in resin... the "old fashioned" way. You still need to create the master somehow. Once you have a working file you're set.
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Post by indycals on Jul 8, 2016 14:54:54 GMT -5
The parts have arrived and I am PLEASED! Just need to tweak a few things and I'll have this available for purchase in the next day or two.
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Post by mjjracer on Jul 8, 2016 15:18:05 GMT -5
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Post by indycals on Jul 8, 2016 15:39:09 GMT -5
Yes, that looks like the same set.
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Post by indydog on Jul 8, 2016 22:59:37 GMT -5
Sign me up for a couple sets!
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Post by pje on Jul 8, 2016 23:07:25 GMT -5
Do you know what races/cars you're going to cover decal wise?
Paul Erlendson
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Post by indycals on Jul 9, 2016 14:20:06 GMT -5
Now available for purchase. shpws.me/Mjaf This is listed as "first to try" which implies this has not yet been printed. That is true in the sense that I uploaded a new file with some minor corrections which resets the print success rate. I don't anticipate any problems but if there are Shapeways will simply cancel the order and refund your money. I have two options: Frosted Ultra Detail plastic (which is what the parts you see above are) - that is $57.00 for the full kit. And Frosted Extreme Detail for $79.00. Personally it doesn't make any difference to me which one you get - my markup is the same on each - so theres no motivation for me to 'upsell' you toward the more expensive version. IMO Frosted Ultra Detail is fine for this as the parts that need to be smooth still need to be sanded (firewall/dashboard etc). Shipping costs are determined by Shapeways - in the US it's as low as $4.99. Keep in mind I am not fulfilling these orders - Shapeways is effectively licensing the design from me, I tell them the markup - they sell the product and then they pay me after the order has been successfully shipped. It is my design, but their finished product - problems with any orders (which are rare) are handled by them. Typically if there is an error, it is in your favor - i.e., when I got my set I had extras of a few of the parts. Their customer service is very good to work with. I will be posting more photos and instructions and I am working on decals, which will be purchasable through me.
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Post by indycals on Jul 9, 2016 14:51:49 GMT -5
Also, just FYI - there might be some fit issues when putting the hood on over the carb and air intake - I did my best to get everything to fit without making them too small. One of the tweaks I did on the uploaded file was to make the carb a little smaller to hopefully get the hood to fit, but the hood might need some thinning out on the inside surface.
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