Frequently asked questions
Here you will find a few answers to frequently asked questions. If you can't find anything here, use our contact form.
How do I calculate the scale of a model?
To calculate the scale of a model, we need a measure of the original and a desired measure of the target model. This is usually calculated based on the length of the ship. The length of a ship (the template) can usually be researched on the Internet. If you have these, you only have to think about the model and its length. Then divide the original length by the desired model length. The result is the benchmark.
What do you mean by scaling factor?
The scaling factor is the factor by which a 3D model in the slicer is enlarged on all coordinates (X, Y and Z) in order to reach the desired scale. The scaling factor is usually given as a percentage. and can easily be calculated using the rule of three.
Which filament is suitable?
In principle, every filament is suitable for our models. However, it has been shown that conventional PLA is too brittle in some areas and can break under pressure, especially in the more delicate parts, such as stanchions. ABS is not very suitable for many simple printers, since the 8% shrinkage often causes problems. But there are now many manufacturers who offer PLA+. These are more flexible and don't break as easily as PLA. These require more printing and printing plate temperature than normal PLA, but offer slightly more elasticity, with almost the same shrinkage rate as PLA.
Resin or filament
When in doubt, filament!
Our large components such as the fuselage sections are optimized for FDM printing. Since we don't want to require you to print your components with ABS, but PLA can also be used and this can have its pitfalls, we do not recommend printing large components from resin. Resin components tend to be heavier than FDM printed components. In addition, resin is even more brittle, which can result in your boat suffering serious damage.
We are aware that certain components simply look better printed from resin. That's why we recommend that you print small parts with a small resin printer. Generally this is not necessary. All components can be printed with an FDM printer - and of course also with a resin printer. Pay attention to the nature of the materials used.
How are the prints aligned?
There are a lot of opinions here. Depending on how experienced you are with printing components, many things will fall into place. The parts of our products usually have a flat side, which is suitable as the side to be positioned on the base plate. However, due to the nature of some components, it is not always possible to generate such areas. Here you have to work with a support structure so that your printing is successful. In such cases, you rotate your component so that it is placed as flat as possible on the base plate. Don't be afraid to position the parts to get a flat lay on the base plate. This increases the area of the support structure on the plate and increases adhesion.
In our construction instructions we specifically do not specify a fixed pressure direction. However, there are basic instructions on how to print the parts. Note that many parts will not be printable without a support structure.
Will there be how-to videos on the design?
No, there won't be. There will also be no videos about the construction of Mein Schiff 3 at the moment. If you enter "Blender Tutorial" on YouTube, for example, you will receive a large number of videos with which you can learn and improve modeling skills. Others are simply better at it.
How often can I use the purchased models?
Here in the shop you buy data sets and not "models" in the classic sense. This means that you can use them as you like for your own use at home. So you only have to buy a dataset once and can print it out as often as you need it. In the "Accessories" section you will find lifeboats, anchors and much more. You buy a data set and then equip your model with as many printed parts as you want.
Is the Mein Schiff 3 also available for sale?
Rather no at the moment. The ship is so powerful with all its parts to be printed that it will be very difficult to offer this model as a complete kit. Especially since in the current phase there are one or two tricky situations that we still have to solve ourselves. When the ship is completely finished, we'll think about it again.
As long as this is not the case, you can check out the model's build blog.
Downloadlink doesn't work
You bought a product from us and now your download link no longer works?
That's no problem, we'll send you a new link to your order if necessary. The validity of the download links is 30 days. They are then deactivated by the system. However, you still have the option of continuing to receive the links afterwards. So if it happens to you that you misplace a product, then write to us. In order to be able to assign your order, we need your email address and the order number of your order.
Please note that we only send links to the email addresses you used to place the order.
