How it all began…
20 YEARS DEDICATED TO PRODUCT DESIGN
Since I finished my degree in Technical Engineering and Industrial Design, I have specialised in the design of plastic parts and injection moulds, and I have been learning about what goes into the design according to its future application.
This has given me a lot of experience in how to design the part and its details, so that look and functionality go hand in hand. At the same time I have learnt a lot about 3D drawing in different programs, to be versatile, and I have developed an ability to work with new computer tools.
This is on this basis and thanks to my passion for model making that the idea was born to create custom made bridges and parts.
MODEL MAKING AND 3D PRINTING
For years now, we have been following the evolution of the 3D printers that are coming onto the market, especially FDM printers (they come in all price ranges). However, until recently, we have not seen a considerable improvement in the printing quality of the most economical printers. In our opinion, this improvement brings 3D printers closer to domestic use.
They have improved substantially in terms of quality, especially if you know how to design the parts. By this we mean that, in order to have good results in 3D printing, it not only depends on the printer, but also on how the part is designed so that it can be printed in the best possible way.
Designing for plastic injection, printing in FDM or printing in SLA Resin are not the same things… It all requires some research and learning.
My fondness for model making, and specifically for model railways, goes back a long way, from my childhood days with my first N scale Ibertren model. But over time, I discovered other scales with other details and diversifications, which made me realise that not all scales had the same supply and demand.
This is how my fondness for the H0 scale began, which led to the creation of a test model for set making and to check the rolling ability of the various train carriages.
We create sets from previously purchased kits, to see the varying qualities offered by different brands, and we also make custom sets by hand. This is how we proceeded especially in the early days.
This is how this wonderful project all began.
Model Makers 3D
One day, I was looking in the different online model railway stores for a bridge to place on the test model, with specific measurements. Or at least for an item that would come close to what I needed for this model railway layout.
However, I did not find anything for the dimensions I needed, other than purchasing different types of bridges with different pylons to get everything to fit together. Even like this, I had to readjust the entry position of the bridge because it did not fit properly.
This is how the need for a specific bridge, as part of a small personal project, came together with the purchase of 3D printers.
I looked for the exact measurements and began to design the bridge by computer, taking into account the look I wanted and its manufacturing technique with the printer. The result was so surprising that I considered the idea of being able to design custom made bridges and to move on from there to manufacturing customised objects in different scales, especially those that are less available.
This is howModelMakers3D started.
