3d printed Bailey bridge
 

I have been busy working on a 3d CAD design to build my own 1/16th scale World War 2 Bailey Bridge. I’ve gone through some trial and error, some dead ends, and two spools of plastic, but it’s starting to take shape. I have two sections completed now, with a third still being built, planning to make it into 7 or 8 sections when complete.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...e11aa326ce.jpg


It’s close to true dimensions, although I did widen it a bit so my Abrams and Leopard 2A6 will be able to use it. It also assembles and deploys just like the real ones, so it can be put together is various ways to give longer spans and/or heavier loads using center supports and/or extra truss panels.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...15913e921b.jpg


I’m still working out some details of the design, but it’s getting close. Still need to work out the details of the approach ramps, and the fastening system for stacking the truss panels up vertically for handling heavier loads. Researching old pictures and manuals to get that info.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...6bb696fa54.jpg


The only fasteners in the whole thing are 3 mm pins at the truss panel joints, and 2 mm screws in the top brace. Everything else snaps into place. It can be stored in a box, then set up somewhere, then taken down and put back into the box, ready for next time. It can also be transported to the building site in 1/16th scale RC trucks. The real test, once it’s built, will be if it holds up a 1/16th scale RC tank.
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...ad240b54be.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...8a332905c1.jpg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...de3adc204d.jpg


I’m busy churning out parts now, but by the time the snow is melted here, I should have a new bridge to star in some tank movies. I might even take it to a club battle somewhere. It is portable…
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...418bbf8fb2.jpg

Hi Pah co chu puk
Very cool, had wondered if someone would do one in 1/16th. Are you aware of the Armortek one in 1/6th? https://www.armortek.co.uk/Forum3b/viewforum.php?f=48 -

Mal

Thank you. No, I had not seen that metal 1/6 scale one. It's pretty cool. Mine has the advantage that it's parts are made while I sleep.

You're right, that is quite an advantage.

Mal

Sir, would you share with your southern brethren?!!! Our field needs about three bridges just like that!!!!!

Look amazing. My friend few years ago made small laser cut section but yours is much more detailed.
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...ed75e04f90.jpg

My... are those sweet or what?!!! MY JEEP would look great on that!

I couldn't imagine a proposed price tag on it, especially figuring in that 'sleep labor'! :o

Beautiful

Thanks guys.

While some of the other models of Bailey Bridges I've seen have better, more accurate details, (the 1/6th scale metal bridge afv aficionado shared with us comes to mind), most are two or three section models of bridges. By 3d printing these parts, I can, and plan to, make an 8 section bridge. That will be a bridge about 5 feet long (80 scale feet). Based on my load testing so far, I think it's possible to have an 8 section bridge that will support our RC tanks. I can also make more than one bridge. My goal is to make a bridge that really works for RC tank battles, and it looks like a real one.

I'm finishing up the parts for section 3 today, tomorrow I start making the parts for section 4. After that, section 5. I will keep posting pictures as this project develops. Field testing with actual RC tanks is part of the plan. Documentation of performance with movies and photos will be included.

Damn that is cool man. I really like that.

Pah Co Chu puk,
That is super cool bridge! There was a person on FB posting similar 1/16 scale 3D printed triple Bailey Bridge. Was that you? Anyway excellent work, I hope you consider selling STL or kit. Bridges are really needed at this scale. Curious if you could reinforce it from underneath if needed with alum square tube or strip of wood? I think the printed sections will easy work as is. You need a fleet of engineer trucks to carry the sections. Next up pontoon bridge!
Bob

Already been done...
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...a16fbd980b.jpg

Very nice Martin! Perhaps we should adapt those pontoons to support the Bailey bridge too. I think I can design a part that works, and I know you can.

I'm looking at the sheer number of pontoons they used - that's a lot of printing, three flat bottom steel barges per support point. The picture above consumed £120 worth of plastic and took an entire month to print, not sure I want to go thru that again!

I don't do FB, that isn't my bridge. I just started this project a few weeks ago.

Selling this did cross my mind. I'm not ready for that yet, this is just a prototype I'm building now, but if this one really works, then perhaps. I'm building it for fun. I like bridges.

LOL! Well then, perhaps pontoons only as an intellectual exercise.

I'll just drop this one here. It was the first thing I designed to print. While not scale correct, I had a great time making it and learned a lot. It only gets used at indoor events for kids to drive FPV trucks.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...0b7469b52.jpeg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...f70579576.jpeg

I remember that pontoon bridge. I thought it was cool and I really thought it was cool you did it up so kids could have fun driving over it. Very nice.

Thank you. I don't want to hijack, just thought I'd share since the topic came up. Your Bailey bridge is a work of art. I am in constant awe of your trucks as well. I can only imagine, and appreciate from afar, the work you put into all of it. I look forward to seeing where you go with this one.

Update: I have 4 sections done, and most of the parts for the 5th section printed out. I did some static load testing on the bridge.

First test; An all plastic Mato Sherman. No problem!
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...69e3ef85e2.jpg

Next test; The Sherman plus two 5 lb. weights. No problem!
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...308a194d89.jpg

The third test was two 15 lb. weights (total 30 lbs!). No problem!
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...ea0a1b6a23.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...a013a83a9a.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...6904e85ef5.jpg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...f1d108cc89.jpg

New parts are arriving by the truckload.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...e2c42753ea.jpg

That is amazing!!! I will expect my big box in the mail!!!!

Thanks!

I'm still developing this concept. There are parts on the bridge in the load test pictures that were not even designed when the first set of pictures were posted. Since those load test pictures were posted, I have designed and put even more parts on it, but I have also load tested it to 40 lbs now, and it took it, no problem.

That is properly properly good. Very nice work indeed :)

Thanks Will. Ask Martin about this project...

That looks really good, let me know when the 1/6 scale version is ready. Bwahahahaha