3D printed T92 Light Tank

[Gowan]

Hello again it's me the person who will post like three things in a row and disappear for a year or two. This time I disappeared for less than that and I am back with something different to show you. It is a tank. A 3D printed tank. Now you can get more details about how this came to be on my blog: linked here.

For those who just want pretty pictures well here's an unfortunate substitute of not so pretty pictures and more text. So please forgive me and here's pictures for you to enjoy.





I think something a lot of you probably want to know is how much did this cost? Well in this case nothing. You see this was printed by my flatmate on one of our flats 3D printers (we have two). It uses PLA plastic, not too sure how much but the final weight of the vehicle is 30g. The material can be bought in 1kg reels for around $17 NZD (minus shipping) so overall it is quite cheap. Print time was about 3 hours or so.





Finally a comparison shot which will help give an impression both of the size of the model and the level of detail. This isn't the most detailed model out there to 3D print. However, level of detail depends on both the model and the printer so keep that in mind.



This was all done on a simple home set up using a freely available model (already scaled to 1/72). I plan to use Blender, a free 3D modelling software (or perhaps sketchup, also free) to try make my own models at some point. Overall this gives a good indication of what you can achieve right now without overly specialised equipment. I hope you found it interesting.

[Wiking]

An option for your mentioned AMX-13 in your blog.
https://henk.fox3000.com/Ace-pw.htm
(Best is to scroll all the way down and then scroll a bit upward.)

[Gowan]

Cheers. Looks like a good kit.... although I must drag myself away before I add all those kits to my wishlist haha . I did find an AMX-13 to 3D print on the website I used (I though there was one by the same creator but it seems I was either wrong or it has been removed).

Here's a 1/76 model AMX-13 I found https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3235785

There's some interesting compromises that have to be made in 3D printing I didn't discuss. The models themselves are very robust due to their reinforced core. Downside is that they don't do well with unsupported structures that exceed any great distance, those require a scaffolding that can be difficult to remove and impact on the aesthetic. I have heard there's ways to even out the surface stratification seen on this model, a little light solvent or something similar. Detail limitations relating to the model/printer used.

One thing that I haven't explored fully yet is simply resizing 3D models to print. Obviously best when this is done on a model designed to be printed and it is probably better to go from smaller scale to larger, that way detail loss shouldn't be an issue. Anyway one of the coolest things is the possibility for making totally new and exciting things where this mode la fictional AMX 30 with oscillating turret concept is pretty cool. Anyway enough from me.

[Wiking]

Gowan wrote:
Detail limitations relating to the model/printer used.

Printed by Shapeways.
(With some plastic, etched parts added. Made in 2015)



This guy is from Thingiverse too.
(Search for Yoda and check the options.)
My workmate print that (Boda) this year for me just for fun with his own 3D printer.
The printing lines are all around obvious.

Fortunately they look like the several layer during the pressing process of millions of years seen on statues, buildings etc. all over the world.

[Bill Slavin]

It's really interesting to see this emerging technology. I find the idea of creating your own models very appealing! Thanks for sharing this.

Bill

[Gowan]

Gowan wrote:
Detail limitations relating to the model/printer used.

Printed by Shapeways.
(With some plastic, etched parts added. Made in 2015)



This guy is from Thingiverse too.
(Search for Yoda and check the options.)
My workmate print that (Boda) this year for me just for fun with his own 3D printer.
The printing lines are all around obvious.

Fortunately they look like the several layer during the pressing process of millions of years seen on statues, buildings etc. all over the world.

Yes Shapeways makes amazing stuff! Although you'd have to pay and then wait for it to be shipped. I am far too impatient I also agree that there's certainly a very aesthetic character to the layered effect. Very good on statues I do most certainly agree. I also do quite like it on the tank reminds me of some of the texturing seen on late war German tanks.

Anyway thought I should also add a couple pictures from when this tank was fresh from the printer.





As you can see the future is in fact orange.... Which is perhaps the biggest reason for printing the AMX-13 instead. After all the Dutch used it and we all know how much the Dutch love Orange