Whoot, a CAD forum!!!

[Thrasymedes]

Lets see those designs!!!!

Been using CAD for almost 19 years myself, started at a very early age. Pro E for the last 8 years. I'm sure I will have some stuff to post in the future, but can't wait to see some projects!!!

:thumbup:

[My 2 Cents]

WHOOT WHOOT:)
Been into cad for the past 6 years since I have been out of highschool. Hopfully the people on here actually use this cad section, cause it never gets used on the otherRR forums.

[John Boren]

I would love for the Manufactures to supply Cad files of their products. For instance if I had basic 3D cad files of the frame assembly I could design a new Canopy or scale fuselage for the frame much easier. I wouldn't need every part of the bird nor every detail on every part just enough so I could designed around the fuselage and the mounting positions.

John B.

[wren1702]

Cool, Wesley will be pumped when he sees this new forum!

[Prontow]

It was suggested that we include CNC in the forum also. I consider myself a CAD hacker, just the basic 2D drawings for my CNC projects.
G code anyone???

[corona007]

That was fast!! I just asked Will last night about putting up a CAD/CAM forum!!!
Personally I have been doing cad/cam, edm, cnc for about 25 year.
I built my own controller and a cnc router that I built 3 years ago, When helis came into my life then the project got put on the backburner.
I just bought a little Sherline cnc. Just need another computer because I get a lot of conflicts off my laptop from graphics card. I will post pictures of my cnc later sometime .
Let's get some idea going you freaks!! 1st for me is putting my R90SE on a diet. Taking some weight off the motor mount and side stiffeners. I know I can take them off but I like the way they look, Just gonna be way thinner and prettier!!

Thanks, Will

[MavriC]

This is GREAT!

Been a C.N.C. Machinist in the AeroSpace sector now for over 14 years, with about 17 total years experience.

I did my apprenticeship with a German owned and operated precision machining company.

I program in Virtual GIBBS for 2 axis (lathe) and 3 & 4 axis (mills). Started out with pencil, paper and a calculator. ;)

I've made tons of stuff for my RC addiction over the years, from custom shock tower brackets, delrin main gears, nitro engine heads, drive shafts, etc, etc, etc...

Was even designing my own Helicopter setup, frames, etc...

Great to see this thread! Maybe we can share solid files in here too!

Rick.
:thumbup:

[3DCADflyer]

It's cool to see some guys on here are into CAD.:thumbup: I've been using Solidworks since last August and I'm really into it. I'll get on here on my other account later and post some pics of some things I've designed. So far I've won regional and state CAD Engineering competitions and at school I do a lot of rapid prototyping and machining on our mill.

[Prontow]

We will have to post pictures of out "other" hobbies, I built a CNC'd mini mill and using Mach3 to run it.
This is GREAT, CAD/CAM and Helis on one site!!! Someone pinch me!!!! :)

[aussiemick]

I have been CAD drafting since '96, last 7 years using Mechanical Desktop unfortunately that is now no longer being supported.
I am going to give Solid Works a go in the next few months, meanwhile I am giving Inventor a bit of a look at.

Here is something I had a look at for an american mob.
http://www.helifreak.com/picture.php?albumid=107&pictureid=9618

Normally I do completely other stuff, so the odd heli bit is fun to work on.

http://www.helifreak.com/picture.php?albumid=1876&pictureid=18766

Mick

[corona007]

What happen to MD? I have been out of the workforce 7 years and still using Autocad+MD and Bobcad 20v + Bobart Pro X, Mastercam 7, Cadkey I think it's 7V. I really like Rhino but can't afford it for now. I would love to get a hold of Pro E and Solidworks . Oh well,
I have enough to make an accurate dxf .

Btw nice models Aussi! I lost all my work related files a couple of years age due to a HD crash. Over 100 Gb of actual drawing files not counting the cad/cam software. All my backup HD's on my server were lost in a home robbery.

[aussiemick]

What happen to MD?

It has been discontinued and Inventor is being pushed as its replacement, not sure why but it sucks big time.

MIck

[HoffY]

.....unfortunately that is now no longer being supported.....
Mick


I believe that should be "Fortunately" ;)

[Dicey]

I'll poke in here occassionally. I'd say I'm fairly proficient with Unigraphics NX3 and Solidworks. Good to see a bunch of other CAD monkeys on the freak.

[slamdance]

Hey Guys,
It took me 6 months to build my trex 450 and trex 500.
Why? I freakin solid model as many parts as possible. It's all with inventor 2008.
Didn't get all the fasteners(mcmaster doesn't carry 2mm's). Solidworks should convert no problem.

Anyone interested in finishing the full assembly for me. Add all the fasteners that I couldn't find in mcmaster-carr(they don't carry 2mm stuff). Also, it could use full collision constraints. I've always wanted to make a nice exploded view or nice step by step configurations(suppress components) for repairing specific items: change shaft, main gear, belt, ...etc. Also, you could made 2d drawings if you want to practice cad for machining or inj molding design.

I have some ideas to make some practical stuff: helicopter maintenance holding fixture, low battery trays, swash disassembly tool, flybar levelers, foam insert for bow/arrow storage case, motor disassembly tools, motor kit building tools, storage backpack...etc.

I can't post this stuff proprietary reasons, but If you're interested send me message.
Remember designing is fun, but getting out and flying is even better.

[flyinfool]

I have been a design engineer for 30+ years. Cad for the last 20.
I use Inventor at work and Solidworks at home. Over the years at work I have used ACAD, Mechanical Desktop, Ironworks, CadKey 3D, Inventor, and Solidworks.
Of those, Ironworks is the best for 3D modeling, what killed them was that they would not develop a good ability to make a paper drawing so that a shop could make the part, and they also refused to make their drawings portable so that you could send a drawing to a vendor. They required the vendor to buy a seat of Ironworks to view a drawing.

I tend to not go crazy on unimportant details to help my poor old home computer not get overworked.

[slamdance]

Hey Thras, it's been over a year and I'm interested in knowing how you progressed? I hope you didn't give up, because there is "industry standard" resistance against a universal/standardized cad/cam interface. If an engineer can just upload 3d part data into a machine, then why do you need a machinist? Also, a machine maker like HAAS can't make money selling your their cnc software, too.

[Thrasymedes]

Hey Thras, it's been over a year and I'm interested in knowing how you progressed? I hope you didn't give up, because there is "industry standard" resistance against a universal/standardized cad/cam interface. If an engineer can just upload 3d part data into a machine, then why do you need a machinist? Also, a machine maker like HAAS can't make money selling your their cnc software, too.

Wow, been about a year since I've been in here, lol. :)

I have designed and had a couple of parts machined for my Electric Stratus project. I also had some parts machined for other people's helis. So far all the parts have worked out very well. I would like to do more, but grinding all day and using Pro/E so much on my job it can be hard to want to come home and do more of it. :)

I have also been getting some exposure to FEA, and applying mechanical and thermal loads to parts.