What software are you guy's using?

[Spooky]

No problem esc, just throwing things out there, I'll try not to beat that dead horse anymore.

Anyway, I'm not a guru of CAD myself, heck, I don't even have a degree, and am pretty much self taught when it comes to CAD and engineering, with the exception of some CAD training courses and too many years in a machine shop. That 2% +/- loss was taught in every training course and from every instructor and engineer I've talked too and worked with, but since the DXF format was made by Autodesk, I'm sure their translator is geared towards it, which gives you a cleaner conversion. But, if you were to take the same DXF file and import it into either Pro-E or SolidWorks, the results would be different, it all depends on the translator. I used to use SurfCam's translator to convert files to input them into Unigraphics, a double convert, but it still came out better than what the UG translator would give you. I agree if the initial file is made correctly there's less loss of data when converted.

Here's an easy test to try, take a DXF and IGES file of the same part and convert it in Inventor (or any CAD program), then save it in it's native format (DWG or whichever it is), then compare their file size between the DXF/IGES and the native file and let me know what you get.

Just having some fun, don't take me too seriously, I get caught up in the details sometimes and rant on.

Look forward to your build thread,
Dean

[rcpilot82]

Dave,
I have been using ACAD since version 11 (dos) It is my profession, College education, and hobby. Though I also don't know everything ( I mostly do 2d work), I haven't heard my favorite command used yet. POLYLINE, I love em for things like airfoils and CNC files. I had to laugh as I was reading your post about people who dont use snaps, or overlay multiple lines. I work with a guy like this and I can't stand his drawings. Part of my duties are to make the CNC profiles for programming, anyone who has used a CNC knows if there is a break in the line or a step, it WILL show in the final product and cause problems while running the program. anyway, I am enjoying this thread and waiting on wood to start building. Could you post a link to the striker build thread here?

[Spooky]

Yep, I've worked with a couple guys that used to do that alot (broken lines), that's why I like working with solid models, you don't get that.

rcpilot82, this should look familiar, you being a CNC guy too, I was contracted to update their 2D drawings to 3D models and new drawings for them (Hint: Major tooling manufacturer). Here's a basic sample of an outdated product that was done some 8-9 years ago in Unigraphics. I've also done work for GM, Toyota, Pratt & Whitney (airfoil work) and assorted military and aerospace companies to name a few. That's basically my engineering background added to the 28+ years in various machine shops. So no degree, but some experience.

Guys, share some of your work or experiences here for others to check out, or maybe a problem your having for the collective to help solve.

Dean

[rcpilot82]

LOL, my guess is sandvick or kennametal CAT series holder?? am I close?

the more I look at it, I am leaning towards a DA collet holder

[Spooky]

	Quote: Originally Posted by rcpilot82
	LOL, my guess is sandvick or kennametal CAT series holder?? am I close? the more I look at it, I am leaning towards a DA collet holder

I think Kennametal bought out Sandvick, I could be wrong.
But yes, stock kennametal back-end used with pretty much that whole line of holders... Nice call

Dean

[esc]

Hi Guys,

Sure I'll give you the link to my new thread, here it is:

New version of Peter Russell's 1968 "Striker"

Talking about experience and degrees. I receive several professional engineering publications and in one of these I was reading an article about possible future advances. They talked about how knowledge was growing to such and extent more and more specialism will be required to handle it in smaller chunks. The writer also said that the average shelf life of a degree would be 6 months or less.

Frankly, although I am quite well qualified and a time served practical working engineer, I have always valued experience over book learning any day of the week. Book learning can go just so far and then it falls down.

A short story to illustrate my point: A company I worked for once employed a straight from University engineering graduate student.

She was asked to design a simple 19" rack mounting unit which as the name clearly suggests is basically a box mounted off a front panel in an electronic equipment rack.

This ex-graduate student designed her rack with the rear panel as large as the front so there was no way it could be fitted into a rack! She had totally missed the point despite having existing designs to copy, or modify, and the real thing available if she wanted to look at one.

Have a good weekend guys.

Dave

[rcpilot82]

Well, I got a box of wood today!! I have to say, I am very pleased with the look of this wood from rcfoam.com. I had to lauge cause there is a sticker on it that said it is "plantation grown balsa wood". never saw anything like that before! anyway, My goal is to have the wood cut by Wed. and start building as time permits. stay tuned.

[Spooky]

Cool rcpilot82... it's like Christmas in June for you.
I was wondering if you plan on starting a build thread or cutting/building her here?....either is cool by me, I'm just eager to see your CNC router in action.

Dean

[esc]

I can't wait - it's like giving birth (hopefully without the pain). Somebody pass the gas and air!

Dave

[klu0906]

I just got a copy of Autocad 2010. Hoping to do some design. Is there a good place to learn about aircraft design and the use of Autocad?

[esc]

Hi klu0906,

There are quite a few books available at Amazon and other places about model aircraft design and building, you just have to search the internet. In fact I just ordered one of these books from the U.S. - "The Basics of R/C Model Aircraft Design" by Andy Lennon that you might care to have a look at.

AutoCAD has a colossal share of the 2-D market (world's biggest 2-D player by far) and so you will find there will be no shortage of help available to you. There are forums specifically aimed at users and of course you can ask your questions on this forum too. There are a large number of books available some of which contain tutorial CD's.

In about 70% of my designs I start in 2-D to get a general idea of where I am going. It is much easier than having to worry about the third dimension as well. Only when I am happy with what I see do I move it into solid modelling. It's when it comes to producing projected views, cross-sections, etc, and being uni- or bi-directionally associative (i.e. changes to the model (uni-directional) or model and 2-D (bi-directional) are reflected in all views) where a solid modeller really shines.

AutoCAD 2010 now has a form of parametrics (dimension and constraint driven), it's not the full blown version that you would see in solid modelling packages, but useful just the same. It nicely illustrates the fact that AutoDesk's 2-D and 3-D software are moving ever closer together. You can of course produce solid models in AutoCAD.

I hope this helps and look forward to seeing some of your designs. Have fun.

Dave

[klu0906]

Thanks, Glad to know i should be able to do what i want... I'll take a look into the books.