Encouraged byArie Dijkhuis threads about 3D printed models I want to make my contribution by sharing my 3d files for the Dicke Berta.
For a long time I liked to build a model of this gun , however I could not find a suitable kit and I started scratchbuilding one based on Arie Dijkhuis drawings, but this was a slow process.
Then I discovered Steen Withers 3D model on Grabcad, and suddenly it all became a lot easier.
The drawing was scaled to 1/72 and simplified it to make it printable on our Forms2 printer.
I hope you like the results, however all credits go to Steen Winther and Arie Dijkhuis.
I started with the ‘Bettung” to use the right term, as I wanted to make the model in firing position I printed only the top half of the rear part without the spade. I also printed the cables between the forward and aft parts and I was surprised how good the result was.
The next parts are the gun carriage with the wheels and the clamps holding the carriage to the bottom plate. The advantage of 3D printing is thatcomplicated models can be made out of one piece, however with the Form2 printer there is always the support side that you have to choses carefully as it is less detailed.
Generally the optimum orientation of the part and the place and numbers of supports determine the quality and success or failure of the print; The Forms 2 printer has very good software to do this automatically but a little tweaking is always required.
As you can see the gun carriage needed a lot of supports and removing them carefully to avoid damaging the model took me the whole evening!
Now the small parts like hand wheels , support legs and elevation cranks are added.
This is a work in progress, some parts where to thin, they did not print well or broke easily, so in attached STL files I made various parts a bit thicker to avoid this.
I have added a drawing where the parts should be fitted but I recommend to download Steen Winthers model at https://grabcad.com/library/dicke-berta-1 to get a real good view from all angles
These parts are the platforms for the gun crew, I made the support of the platform thicker for strength. If you like to keep the scale thickness then make them from brass wire.
I printed the platforms in one piece to keep it all simple and strong, however if I could find the right material I preferred to usebrass etchings for the floor plates
The four ladders are fitted to the sides of the platforms.
I see you use a 3D resin laser printer. I love the quality of the print! I myself use an Anyubic Photon, which is also a UV-resin printer, but not a laser printer as it has a UV display underneath the resin tank.