BSG Mineral Ship Kit pics are up

[thunderbearr]

Mineral Ship Pics (http://home.comcast.net/~arveymodelproducts/mineral.htm)

The mold for the engine is cooking and photos will be updated ASAP.

Comments more than welcome.

Rob

[Darrell Lawrence]

Sweet!

[Stevew]

Very nice. It looks like FDM. If you ever want to do others, I use Solidworks and can provide STL files for many ships. I know it is expensive but there might be a market for this kind of thing. The capability of these new rapid prototype machines is totally amazing
:salute:

S

[thunderbearr]

Thanks for the offer. I'm afraid I'm not familiar with FDM and STL Files. The master was scratchbuilt and a mold made for casting. This kit is available from our website.

However, I did download Blender at someone's recommedation but haven't figured how to use the darn thing! :eek:

Any rate, expect to see more in the future.

Rob

[Stevew]

I use Solidworks for modeling, when it is finished you can creat an STL file that the machine can read to make these
http://www.padtinc.com/rm/fdm/default.htm
Once you have a CGI model complete save it as an STL file and you can create
an accurate model that can be used to make a mold or the mold maker can use the Solidworks file to make the mold from. It is faster and easier than doing it by hand. Hope this helps
S :)

[Griffworks]

Isn't it also expensive, tho? That's why so few GKM kits are done this way because that would therefore raise the price of any kit produced w/this method. If it's no longer anywhere nearly so expensive, that's great news!

[spcglider]

That's all very keen! Whats the scale?

-Gordon

[thunderbearr]

Hi Gordon. The kit is to scale with the Monogram/Revell/whoeverownsthecompanynow Galactica kit.

As for doing kits with the FDM, I don't have a problem with that.

I do forsee a problem with selling a 7" model for $85,000. Not so much for me, but I'd have a limited clientel...

:D

[Stevew]

Griff
A reasonaly sized model would cost a few hundred the makeing the mold would cost maybe 20K. There are many things involved with mold makeing but it is a good way to go if the market was there. It would take tool long to get into details
but if you just want one I like the SLS process. There are some more but i don't have the time to go into them. Hope this helps a bit
S :)

[stratus]

Great-looking cast. I'm curious -- what made you decide to start with the miniral ship?

[Griffworks]

Actually, he didn't start w/the Mineral ship, but the Flattop.

[thunderbearr]

True. That, and the fact no one else was doing 'em. :)

And there's more coming....

Rob

[jjrakman]

And there's more coming....

Rob

Awesome.

[Griffworks]

Got home and practically ripped open the package! These are VERY nicely cast! Just as I've come to expect from AMP products. I ordered two of the Flattops and one Mineral Ship.

My only real issue is that there are a bunch of parts for the Mineral Ship and no instructions. I'm pretty sure that I've got an instruction sheet on my 'puter somewhere that Rob had emailed me a while back, but forget for sure where it is. After researching this ship for a while and having a veritable ton o' reference on it, I won't have a problem with putting it together. However, I can't see the casual fan will find it so easy.

The Flattop has two main pieces and those will be a breeze to put together. Sort of weird, tho, as this kit comes with several very small metal ball bearings. Rob, are these replacements for the cast pieces/parts on the model? If not, where do they go?

Overall, very pleased, regardless! I highly recommend these to anyone who'd like to have some ships for their Monogram Galactica to escort. :)

Will try and get myself organized some tomorrow and post some pics. Already put one of the two Flattops together.

[thunderbearr]

Griff. How are they coming along?

Hmm?

Rob

[Scatha]

Just took a peek at the site. Those are indeed great looking models.