What Equipment do Engineers Use to Create Their Models?

The machines used for modelling include a lathe, a milling cutter, a shaper, and a drilling machine. Before the advent of relatively cheap equipment in Asia, starting in the 1980s, machine tools made in the UK or the US, made by Myford, South Bend, Bridgeport and other now-defunct Western companies, were quite common in model design.

Today, modellers have a choice of new budget Asian equipment, restoring “old iron” which means they use equipment manufactured to high standards in former Western industrial centres or, if money is not an issue, new high-end equipment from the few remaining Western manufacturers. These machines become truly useful only when the model engineer accumulates a large set of related tools like drills, reamers, collets, etc., which together can cost more than larger pieces of equipment. Model engineers often save money by creating tools themselves.

What Software do Engineers Use?

Computerized tools, which are traditionally a manual hobby, i.e. rely on a model engineer to make parts by hand using manually operated equipment, are becoming popular among some model engineers. Currently, projects are often created using CAD software. Some model engineers use 3D CAD software to build a model in virtual space before starting to create a physical model. Such CAD software also interacts with CNC equipment, in particular with milling machines, an increasing number of which are now intended for model engineers and other “home shop machinists”, which allows you to produce some model components under computer control.

3D printing is another new technology that model engineers should explore. Model engineering continues to expand to include new technologies, including laser cutting, 3D printing, and embedded electronics, establishing more and more points of contact with the manufacturers ‘ movement. These computerized classes are a sub-branch of model engineering and are not supported by most.

Model Engineering Kits

Complete sets of parts allow you to shorten the path to the traditional construction method. Sets are divided into two categories: processed and unprocessed. Raw kits usually consist of drawings, castings, source metal, and possibly fasteners and other fixtures needed to complete the model. They require machining equipment to complete them and often require additional components and raw materials.

Usually, the minimum requirements for a machine tool are a lathe, a drilling machine, and possibly a milling machine. To complete these kits successfully, a good level of machining knowledge is required. Machined kits are fully machined parts that require only hand tool processing, painting, and assembly. No workshop required. The kit usually includes all the parts needed to complete the model.

Amateur Engineering

Models can be made from scratch either using purchased plans, or using photos and measurements of prototypes, or from ready-made kits that are sold either as rough castings or pre-processed and ready for assembly. Depending on which model is taken, there may be an element of design and experimentation to make the model work as a prototype. The prototypes could have been in service as early as 100 years ago or as recently as a few years ago.

Although the hobby of Model Engineering is so widespread, the current members of the amateur club devote most of their energy to “Live Steam” in its various forms. Some members of the club are constructors, while others have purchased ready-made steam locomotives and run them on the club’s regular monthly working days. Other engines can be powered by either steam or other fuel. The construction of steam locomotives requires that the engine boilers be built following the Australian Miniature Boiler Safety Committee Codes.

“Model engineering” may include metalworking to create models powered by steam or internal combustion; it may include woodworking in the construction of models of ships, boats, and clocks (including the manufacture of watch mechanisms and mechanisms), as well as aircraft and their engines.
This does not mean that “Model Engineers” are trained engineers or qualified specialists. The members of any amateur club and similar societies come from a wide variety of backgrounds – they just have a common interest in seeing history preserved, albeit in miniature.

Real Story of A Successful Amateur

We told you about the professional and amateur creation of model engineering, and now we want to show you by a real example that not only professional engineers achieve success and recognition. A 76-year-old retired schoolteacher George Punter won the Duke of Edinburgh Cup with his working scale model of a 1913 Saunderson and Mills F Universal tractor. That’s incredible!

The man invested 4000 hours over four years and travelled more than 16,000km to win a famous cup. Of course, he is not a professional engineer, but model engineering is his real hobby. He spent two weeks taking photographs and taking his measurements. He made 220 sheets of blueprints, all patterns and castings, as well as equipment and electronics to create the award-winning masterpiece.
Read the full exciting story of George’s hobby. The model engineer may have achieved near-perfection with his award-winning tractor, but that hasn’t dulled his passion for continuing building beautifully crafted miniature machines.

After retirement, George’s interest in modelling grew, and he soon realized that there wasn’t always a tool available for every particular job, so he found a solution to first make his detailed tool — a skill that would come in handy for his next major project. Such a good example of a hard-working person who has achieved success. Good job, George!