Train of Thought: Construction methods and material techniques: paper engineering/modelling/craft

Card modelling techniques are an important area to explore. I feel that it is important to keep the model as straightfoward and lightweight as possible, weighting the wheels if needed (for ease of movement). The images shown above can be found on this site:

http://www.island-publishing.co.uk/card_techniques.htm





Ryo and I have been thinking about all the ways in which we could create various kinds of paper effects. However, having thought about everything from acrylic wheels to casting wheels in polyurethane fast cast with metal powder for the weight, we have decided to come straight back to the engineering of paper and card. Our model is, after all, supposed tto be a card model, and it is good to face up to the challenge of making strong three-dimensional forms from a flexible material.









An interesting way to make complex shapes and forms like the gas bells will be to cast paper pulp into a mould of the correct shape and size. I must research into paper shrinkage rates. There is a way to try and combat paper shrinkage and that is to use china clay or kaolin clay powder in the paper pulp/cellulose mix. This will turn the pulp grey however. Testing will need to be carried out.

We have decided to use paper casting techniques in order tto create the more complex parts of the locomotive, for example, the gas bells on top of the main cylinder.

http://www.papermodelers.com/forum/tutorials/1948-art-paper-casting-card-modeling.html





We have also been thinking about buying in any moving parts we can as this will save us a lot oof time.



Lego pieces should work fine for our needs:

http://us.factory.lego.com/pab/?warning=false&resetbag=&modelid=&speciallinkid=&shipto=






This site is interesting as it shows the high level of quality which can be acheived with card modelling. Go here: http://www.pendonmuseum.com/stocklist/index.html#wagons

This site is shows what the Polish have been up to. Although final models are somewhat disappointing, the plans look good enough. I like in particular the way in which compoound curves are treated. Shame they have not tackled any steam locomotives...
Homepage: http://www.exclusive-models.yoyo.pl/Exclusive-Models_Homepage.html



http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2008/07/make_your_own_papercraft.html

Make your own Batmobile! Geeky, I know.....





Kakuro (modular origami) has clearly been taken to another level by this artist, who has won awards for their work.


http://www.dugnorth.com/blog/2008/11/heart-automaton-made-of-meshed-moving.html


We must get on! This link is: http://dugnorth.com/blog/labels/Paper.html which is a good blog in its own right.



These automata are good seemingly simple, with good engineeing techniques in use for the strengthening of the material. We could do the same. These models will move costantly, whereas ours will only move one increment at a time. This is the link:
http://www.paperanimations.com/ruffler.html



I am stil unsure how we will put all of this together. Is my idea of using brass rod too complicated? Should I be concentrating on the use of paper and card and wooden dowel where necessary...

These shelves are interesting. This particular method of construction is very strong and a viable method for the internal structure of our locomotive engine and carriages.

The shelves can be found at http://www.untothislast.co.uk/Shelving/CD%20Racks.html.
We have been thinking of using this method of construction for the internal parts of our train.



A simple lamp which is cheap to produce and interesting. Too angular for my liking, but relevant to the project none-the-less. Laser cut acrylic has been employed.

The lamp can be found at: http://www.nest.co.uk/product/sonodesign_profilelamp/.