Carey Probst wrote: > This discussion brings up a topic I have been thinking about for quite >a while as to why there are not more laser cut structures made for the >smaller (numbers wise) scales like S and it may be my lack of >understanding of how the laser cutting process works. > >Once the manufacturer has entered all the cutting information into the >computer for creating an HO scale structure I would think it would be a >minor cost to simply scale all the dimensions up to S or O or down to TT >or Z and make a small run. > >I do not know how the basic design translates from the CAD to the laser >cutter but on a normal drafting program when you design in feet or >meters you can print in any scale as a full size drawing. How is laser >cutting different and why can't an HO laser cutting plan be easily >changed to cut an S scale structure? > > > (snip)
That has been discussed in the past.... my Feb 2009 post included below to why we did not run our Civil War cars in S scale.... Urban legend!! Not even close to reality! While I can cut any drawing on the lasers in any scale just by changing two parameters when the job is submitted to the laser, the kits would never go together. I have just spent over 100 man-hours over the last few months just converting the Slatyfork Sawmill from HO to S Scale. Here is the reality.... Every part must be evaluated to make a decision on what thickness of material should be used. There are no equal thickness of materials between scales. For example, a wall in HO cut on 1/16" stock makes a scale 5.44" thick wall. That same 1/16" stock might work for S, but then it is only a scale 4" thick, or it can be cut on 3/32" stock that is six scale inches thick if it looks better that way. Either material size means the walls are now a different thickness from the original design specs, and therefore, EVERY piece that touches that internal dimension has to be changed... the floor that fits inside the four 1/16" thick walls now needs to be 1.44 scale inches larger in all directions, the tabs and slots on the walls need to be modified to compensate for the thickness change, the rafters that fit inside the walls need to change, etc., etc. Then every piece needs to be tested... i.e., cut and glued together to make sure it all fits together. Next the kerf of the laser beam comes into play for critical tolerance parts such as window sashes fitting into the holes in the walls. The beam thickness is 0.006" or about 1/2" in HO scale or about 1/3" in S scale. So the sashes need mods as the scale changes or they will not fit in the holes. Yes, it helps to keep a calculator on the desk! All the above is part of the engineering we go through with conversion of a kit to another scale. In addition, sometimes the artistic stuff comes into play.... a part that looks good as a scale 2" piece in HO, may need to be a scale 3" piece in S to 'look right.' Now that every part has been modified, the layout on the wood has to change. While a group of HO pieces could be cut on 4" x 24" basswood, the same parts in S scale will now need two pieces of 6" x 24" stock. Then we look at detail castings. While we have a lot on hand already, doing the Civil War cars will require new patterns for at least the brake wheel, bolster washers, and stake pockets. Truck and L&P couplers patterns would be nice also. Artwork for decals will be needed since no one else does them. Then the instructions need to be gone through line by line to make sure everything is correct. Wire sizes change as you go from one scale to another, as do real dimensions mentioned in the instructions. How I wish it was as simple as most folks believe. Changing scales is a lot of work with little reward in S Scale. Take care Bill -- == Scale Model Railroad Products == == Manufacturer - Retailer - Importer == Bill & Diane Wade B.T.S. RR 1 Box 141A Belington, WV 26250 Phone: 304-823-3729 FAX: 304-823-2901 http://www.btsrr.com We wish you Fair Winds and Following Seas. ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: [email protected] [email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
