Sheet Metal Detail
There are two basic approaches for replicating sheet metal panel detail where the prototype has overlapping panels, you either use the traditional scribe lines to indicate panel separations or you actual model different panel heights and overlaps. The first approach is obviously the easiest, least expensive and most commonly used, but it typically yields marginal results at best. Modeling different panel heights presents a whole new set of problems and considerations.
To model different panel heights you either have to actually use overlapping panels, which is most often impractical for limited production models, or use one of two techniques to remove areas of metal to simulate the overlaps. The first method which can be used in small areas is photoetching or chemically removing metal to alter the thickness. The problem if you use this technique on large panels such as a tender tank side sheet is that the panel becomes permanently distorted and unusable as a result. The alternative is to actually machine cut the material to achieve the desired thicknesses.
In the photo below you can see three different panel heights indicated and achieved by machine cutting this Norfolk & Western Y6a tender tank side sheet. Simply using scribe lines would not adequately represent the construction detail required to model this prototype rebuilt tender in a serious manner. No expense was spared in developing and implementing the technique used to achieve the results shown below.
In the next photo, this panel was first machined for the three thicknesses, then the rivets were 'punched' and finally the panel was formed prior to being mated with the adjacent panels for soldering. The subject of rivet detail is covered on a separate page.
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