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 Post subject: Re: New ticket validation dies.... anyone making them?
PostPosted: Fri May 19, 2023 7:12 pm 

Joined: Wed Sep 25, 2013 12:36 am
Posts: 594
Location: Anchorage, Alaska
Here is a suggestion for recreating the dies and other small bronze parts that are no longer available by using technology and equipment that is within reach of a well equipped home shop.

The article posted above says that the original dies were bronze. That being the case, it should be possible to draw them using 3D CAD. print a castable resin "wax" pattern on a 3D printer, and investment cast a new die in bronze. In fact, a temporary, expendable die could possibly be 3D printed in one of the tougher resins.

The photos show the capabilities of the process using equipment that is within reach of the home shop. Except for the the owner's and builder's plates I did the pictured castings in my garage.

I made several valve handles and u-joints to extend valve spindles into the cab from the turret to replace missing items on Alaska Railroad #557. Both were based on Nathan drawings that I got from Steamtown. I made the miniature versions at 1/4, 1/5, and 1/6 scale for a live steam copy of 557 that I'm building. They used the same drawing files which were just reduced in scale on the 3D printer. Bolt sizes on the little u-joints are #00, #0, and #1 and the dime gives some perspective of the size.

The builder's plate was drawn by one of our 557 volunteers so we could replace the original which disappeared about 60 years ago. He 3D printed a foundry pattern of the 9" diameter prototype plate and a local art foundry cast it in iron during their once-a-year iron pour. A friend in the U.K. who was learning the capabilities of the process using 3D printed parts and casting them in bronze printed and cast the model plates using the prototype drawing file, reducing the size to 1/8 by scaling at the printer.

The Elesco patent plate is something I created using Baldwin's original drawing. I haven't had time to cast it yet. Note that the resolution of the lettering is well beyond what would be needed for a validation die.

For the dies, another option that would avoid any casting is to draw the die in 3D CAD and have someplace like Shapeways print it using a "binder jetting process (which) is later infused with bronze, creating a material that is 60% steel and 40% bronze." I haven't ever used this firm or product, but some have used it for complex parts for their live steam models.

I would be interested in seeing a couple of photos of just a validation die.


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 Post subject: Re: New ticket validation dies.... anyone making them?
PostPosted: Fri May 19, 2023 8:59 pm 

Joined: Thu Oct 11, 2012 8:41 pm
Posts: 26
Location: Cos Cob, CT
Try Visi Mark, Durable Technologies. They should be able to make you a new die.

https://www.durable-tech.com/

It may be a new application for them but they should be able to get you what you want.

Nice people. Easy to deal with.

Chris Podles
VisiMark, Inc.
A Durable Technologies Company
33 Arctic Street, Worcester, MA 01604
TF: 800-222-4650
Local: 508-754-3039 x.2942
Fx: 508-754-3063
E-mail: cfpodles@visimarkinc.com
Website: http://www.durable-tech.com (visit our new website!)
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DurableTech
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/DurableTech
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/944218
Blog: http://www.durable-tech.com/blog/

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