Improvement of the engineer side frame was achieved by orientation the part on the 3D printer build platform. The fireman side frame was oriented in approximately the same manner as the engineer frame previously built with the results above. Very little lifting occurred and largely away from the part, consequently the part appears to have little if any distortion.
After removal from the printer the part was examined in a bit more detail and moderate lift was found between the raft and support portion, but not between the part and support. It appears that little or no part distortion resulted.
A close up of the front end near the pivot of the frame shows a modest amount of separation between the green raft layer at the bottom and the green support for the part above the raft.
After removal from the support material the part looks intact and free from distortion.
Detail of the journal internal is good so the axle should rotate freely.
Frame halves will be bolted together at front and rear for form the overall truck frame.
The axle is shown in position above. The bottoms of the two journals are in build and will enclose the axle bearing area. To install or remove the wheel-axle assembly the truck frame will need to be disassembled by removing the two bolts.
The tops of the frame and journals have support residue strips that will need to be removed. This will be done using the Dremel tool with a sanding wheel attachment as was done for the drivers and frame parts. The truck wheels were cleaned of support residue and turned round on the Sherline 4400 lathe.
The back frame section was held together with rubber bands and slipped into the grooves in the main frame for a temporary fit check. The trailing truck frame was also temporarily assembled using rubber bands and slipped into the truck pivot. A bolt will be used to retain the truck in the pivot to permit removal from time to time as needed.
Many other parts will go on the rear frame to incorporate the rear truck springs and equalization scheme which connects to the back driver springs with rods and levers.
The front frame portion is not attached above so the locomotive will be about 20% longer than in the photo above. The front frame portion hold the cylinders and front deck, pilot, etc. At this point all moving parts such as wheels, springs and equalization rods and levers are in place except for those associated with the pilot and trailing trucks. Much fit checking will be necessary as the back frame section is assembled to make sure that the trailing truck will fit and move correctly.
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