Modelling Lives
Tales from the world of professional model-makers.
Adam Sweeting believes the future of the hobby may well lie in 3D printing.
Few people would expect to learn about ground-breaking technology from their grandma, but that’s how I discovered 3D printing. She’d seen a story on the TV news featuring a woman who’d printed her own pair of shoes.
I must admit I was sceptical at first, but then I dug a little deeper, and searched the internet for information. I was only 12 years old at the time and had always enjoyed making things, but the idea of creating whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted, was ultra-exciting.
Straight away I resolved to save my paper round money until I could afford an XYZ 2.0 Duo 3D printer. Once I’d bought one I began downloading a variety of ready-made designs and printing them at home, which led me into an instant love affair with the whole process.
After printing models designed by other people, I decided to learn how to design my own parts. This took some time, as I had to teach myself how to use various CAD (computer-aided design) software packages in the evenings, after school, but it’s been well worth the effort.
3D PROJECTS
My first official project was a 3D-printed guitar pick holder, which worked really well. I was thrilled with the result and, after that, more jobs came along from family and friends, mostly in the form of rapid prototyping work.
One unusual job I undertook was to design parts for a boxing machine, which had to withstand the stress forces from a boxer’s throw. I’ve also designed products for the cosmetics industry, including a new lipstick container. Railways have featured too, and I’ve created a number of locomotive and carriage items for my friends. Indeed, there’s quite a community of railway modellers in my locality (East/north Yorkshire).
WHAT CAN IT DO?
3D printing has grown in popularity in recent years but, as the technology continues to advance, I can see it developing into a boom industry, eventually to the point that it will replace many traditional manufacturing techniques.
The level of potential detail and accuracy that can be achieved is amazing, and can only continue to improve. With no expensive tooling to create, operate and maintain, it offers huge potential cost savings. In particular, I can see 3D printing technology becoming particularly useful in the aerospace industry.
For modellers, 3D printing gives users the opportunity to design and create replicas of their favourite locomotives and rolling stock, along with buildings and any other three-dimensional object that may not be available in model form.
There’s a huge range of printing materials to choose from too, including metals and plastics in various forms, both flexible and rigid. You can even print in sandstone!
MY AMBITIONS
At the moment, I provide a full design and printing service using the latest CAD software and printing hardware to achieve high-quality products. In the long term, I want to scale my business to the point where I can develop my own 3D printing technologies and products. I’ve also begun to supply the 3D printing industry with the best value components, allowing users to build their own printers.
My mission is to inspire the next generation to realise that the sky’s the limit – children from all walks of life can get into 3D printing. Indeed, one day, I believe that everyone who is interested in crafts and model-making will be harnessing the power of a desktop 3D printer, designing and creating anything they want, there and then!
MODELLER’S CV
Adam is a 17-year-old mechanical engineer, specialising in 3D printing and CAD design. He offers a full design and 3D printing service, using metals or polymers.
E-mail: stealth.manufacture@gmail.com
Facebook: http://bit.ly/stealthylink
One day everyone will be harnessing the power of a desktop 3D printer, designing and creating anything they want!