[Robert Stokes]

Please bear with me during the next paragraph.

I have read that, as the new century started in 1900, scientists thought they had discovered just about everything there was to discover. They thought that there would be some improvement in the accuracy of measurements and maybe a little tweaking to the theories of the day, but that there would be no new major discoveries. This complacency was shattered within a few years by the dicovery of X-rays and radioactivity to mention just two things.

Turning to model railways, I find myself in the same position as those scientists. In 00 gauge at least, now that we have sound in engines, wireless DCC and even live steam, is there any major advance that is possible? Do you agree? If not, what do you see only a few years down the line?

 

[poliss]

I forsee; Some kind of radio transmitted power that will do away with wires altogether. A machine in the home that will be able to make any model that you desire. Tiny tubes for lighting that require no power at all, possiblly lit by some kind of bacteria.

As an aside, the new century didn't start till 1901. What were the names of these scientists who said there would be no new major discoveries?

 

[ME 26-06]

QUOTE (poliss @ 5 Feb 2008, 18:42) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>... What were the names of these scientists who said there would be no new major discoveries?

Bill Gates?

 

[Robert Stokes]

Poliss I did say a FEW years down the line.

 

[poliss]

Power has already been transmitted without wires (by induction I think). There's a device that creates models from liquid resin using lasers and jellyfish use bacteria for lights. No science fiction involved.

 

[poliss]

We have the technology already. It should only be a few years before it is common in the home.

For making models at home you would need domestic stereolithography, also known as 3-D layering or 3-D printing, allows you to create solid, plastic, three-dimensional (3-D) objects from CAD drawings in a matter of hours. See http://computer.howstuffworks.com/stereolith.htm/printable

For power without wires see http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6129460.stm

For bacteria powered lights see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organic_light-emitting_diode and http://www.metroactive.com/papers/metro/06...cover-0223.html

 

[Richard Johnson]

QUOTE (poliss @ 6 Feb 2008, 11:13) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>We have the technology already. It should only be a few years before it is common in the home.

For making models at home you would need domestic stereolithography, also known as 3-D layering or 3-D printing, allows you to create solid, plastic, three-dimensional (3-D) objects from CAD drawings in a matter of hours. See http://computer.howstuffworks.com/stereolith.htm/printable

For power without wires see http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6129460.stm

For bacteria powered lights see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organic_light-emitting_diode and http://www.metroactive.com/papers/metro/06...cover-0223.html

***I'd simply settle for rail that never needs cleaning really

But if I had to wish for the stars.... a nice high "any length" programmable liquid crystal "roll it out backscene" that changes lighting and weather with the time of day & year, scale sized real bonsai trees and bonsai grass that only grew to 1/76th or its full sized cousins - the rest doesn't bother me too much.

Perhaps programmable colour LCD coach windows with passengers that stand up, walk around & turn the pages of the newspaper

Richard

 

[Duztee]

Oh! Please!
As someone who was born well before the computer or mobile phones, I am having enough problems dealing with the technology already available.
But if we are going to make advances, then:-
1. A way to programme my head to understand it all.
2. The discovery of a method to produce all these things so cheap that I can afford to add them all to my model.
Duztee.

 

[7113]

I think it's the old story, people don't actually realise the absence of something until someone invents or discovers it. Prior to the invention of the paper clip no-one actually realised it's use or noticed it's absence.

Regards

 

[poliss]

There must be 1001 uses for paper clips, only one of them being for holding pieces of paper together.

 

[7113]

QUOTE (poliss @ 6 Feb 2008, 13:17) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>There must be 1001 uses for paper clips,

How very true, and a lot of them are for modelling purposes.

Regards

 

[34C]

There is some good technology out there just looking for an ingenious manufacturer to exploit it in model railway kit.

Ultrasonic motors have a lot of potential. My top application would be a fully integrated point motor within the space taken up by the two sleepers that surround the tie bar, with a DCC decoder installed under the crossing. Option of taking power directly from the track, or from a separate ponts bus. A genuinely DCC ready point in other words. The other application that would really interest me is a compact on board uncoupler driven from a regular decoder function, powered through a connected NEM pocket. No more 'hunt the uncoupler position'.

Very efficient integrated motor and rechargeable cell power systems also offer the potential to escape the tyranny of the continuous track power requirement. A potential suite of recharge solutions could inculde anything from a few convenient plain track sections to radio frequency coupling. Say goodbye to wiring of similar extent to the layouts route mileage, switching of all live crossing turnouts and return loops, and potentially much track and wheel cleaning; say hello to turnouts with insulated crossings, and the ability to run onto the rusty old siding with complete reliability, cheaper mild steel track.

 

[Oakydoke]

QUOTE (34C @ 6 Feb 2008, 17:02) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>My top application would be a fully integrated point motor within the space taken up by the two sleepers that surround the tie bar, with a DCC decoder installed under the crossing. A genuinely DCC ready point in other words.
I'm not sure, but this may already be available in at least one overseas track system, certainly there are built in point motors on some makes of turnout.
A fully DCC equipped turnout motor already fitted to the turnout, or easily fitted, would be most welcome.

QUOTE (34C @ 6 Feb 2008, 17:02) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>The other application that would really interest me is a compact on board uncoupler driven from a regular decoder function, powered through a connected NEM pocket. No more 'hunt the uncoupler position'.
Already available from Krois.

http://www.krois-modell.at/produkt/digikupp/