Hey Steve,
Thanks for that input.
I haven't used a 'makerbots' and that was one of my concerns.
I think the resolution on them is actually there (0.2mm according to the website-0.078"), but I think it's the application process. I'm guessing that because the ambient air temperature isn't being controlled (and for that matter, the humidity) that the 'print material' doesn't cure at the right speed so as to eliminate the banding effect.
That's unfortunate. But there is a reason the big companies are in business, because they spend the money to do it right.
The downside of the big companies though is cost to us. The site you mentioned has a rough estimator, so I put in the info for the attached semi truck cab, ho scale
View attachment 30361
The estimated cost to recreate it would be $60.00 or more.
So, unless it was a exceptionally important piece, I think it is out of the range of most modelers.
Now I'm sad.
Just a thought Steve, do you think those vertical lines would be sandable and or fillable? I know this wouldn't work with something that has a lot of detail on the surface (rivets of a rail car for instance), but what I'm thinking is you could print things like buildings (a house or concrete building for example), sand, smooth, paint and add super detail parts after the fact. If that route would work, I'm thinking there would be other uses, perhaps bridge abutments.
And it still may be cost prohibitive this way as well as I'm not sure how much material is used in a printed object.
Just looking for you opinion on that.
Jeff.