The User Designed CAD Heli Software!

[iflymyhelishigh]

Alright, this thread is to find out which software we should be using. I vote Solidworks, but you guys vote what you are most fluent in or have at home.

I am also thinking we should have like "teams" like an AutoCAD team, a SolidWorks team, IDK.

The above choices are the ones that I think most people would have access to.

[Glorfindel]

You forgot Catia V5, ProE and UG ;-)

[Skiddz]

OK, I gotta ask.... How many people (unless they use any of these packages for work) will have access to them? The cost of the software is pretty high for Joe User....

I only have access to Solidworks because of work.

[Glorfindel]

ProE is about the same price as SW.

But you are right about V5...;-)

I'm teaching it, that's why i'm using it.

[My 2 Cents]

I say Autocad or Rhino. I just bought Rhino the other night cause it was so cheep! www.rhino3d.com (http://www.rhino3d.com) My Autocad is kinda old and I wanted a program to do some renderings.

[iflymyhelishigh]

Now can Solidworks export files as DXF and such? Right now, I have a version of the student design kit, and also have a Student Edition. I am waiting to install the student edition on a new computer.

Solidworks student edition isn't that bad.

[DeadTom]

I use Microstation at work and have some other CAD packages at home that will do DXF files so Autocad is what I voted for.

[Skiddz]

Yes, SW can export/import DXF.

[metalmagus]

How About using Alibre. See link below.

http://www.alibre.com/

You can download a demo version which has full functionality for 30 days then it limits some functions after that but you can still use it to design parts and assemblies.

or if you have a educational / student email address you can enrol in the AutoCAD student community and download Inventor or AutoCAD educational versions for free.

Regards

MM

[iflymyhelishigh]

Solidworks I guess has won. So, should we start designing the heli in solidworks?

[TMoore]

You would be better off with a pencil and paper rather than trying to learn on a behemoth like SW but that's me.

TM

[Grant_beltcp]

Most CAD files can be imported from one software to another without problems, so it doesnt really matter what you use....

[DeadTom]

Solidworks I guess has won. So, should we start designing the heli in solidworks?

Sounds good, what size is this to be?

[stevo082]

I use a Program called CAMBAM, easy drawing, plus it does your tool path and outputs the g-code, they have an older free version and the latest Demo version which lets you use it 40 times, then a license cost about $149 once off, busy working on a complete heli re-work at the moment.

www.cambam.co.uk or www.cambam.info is the new site they are working on.

Rhino3D is nice. but costly, unless your a student then you can get it free !

[iflymyhelishigh]

I was actually thinking maybe 200 to 400 size. What about you guys?

[Dicey]

I tend to be one towards a 50, mainly because of the ease of packaging at that size compared to a 200-400 size.

[My 2 Cents]

Packaging? I though this was just something for fun, that wasn't actually going to be made in real life?

I say either 200 cause that is such a up and coming size with the Trex250 or a 90size Electric since the Henseleit seems to be on the wish list of all of us.

400/500/600 .50.60 whatever you call em, I think their are just WAY to many of them out, they are a dime a dozen and boring to me.

Why dont we do something that ISN'T in all of our hangers... 200 or 90size electric, something that would be different from the helicopters that have been out for years.

Why don't we try to come up with a new design like Kasama or Henseleit did.. We should use them as inspiration!

Just,
My 2 Cents

[stevo082]

A 200 sounds like a nice challenge ! I just picked up some nice new carbide cutters the other day and ready to go !

[dna001]

Try this its FREE, not a cad program but you could still do some thing with it.

http://www.blender.org/

[iflymyhelishigh]

Alright. What part do we start with though...

[stevo082]

Well right now I am redesigning the Esky Belt CP Frame and the Best way I found was designing all the bearing blocks, tail boom holders........then build the frame around that.

Are we going to use any parts from another heli or is this going to be totally from scratch ?

Because then we need to decide on bearing sizes, main shaft size....

But on the other hand if you model it around existing parts, works out a lot easier.

Then are we going to make the Frame out of G10 or CF ? and what thickness ?

Maybe we build it out of something cheaper and less wearing on cutting tools first as the prototype, then move to G10 and then to CF.

My redesign of the Belt CP Frame is all going to be out of perspex (plexiglass) just to prototype, then when everything fits well and works ok then I am moving to G10 Laminate and remove a bit more weight off the Aluminum parts.

[iflymyhelishigh]

I personally prefer to create a scratch heli, but we could recreate one. The problem is that not all of us have a heli to recreate off of.