|
Post by Harlock on Dec 14, 2007 4:07:46 GMT -5
Hey Pat...here's an interesting number...that 13" X 1/2" 936 bronze bearing bar you bought for $6.16 on mcmaster now costs $14.74. More than double!!!
---Mike
|
|
|
Post by phutcheson on Dec 15, 2007 3:29:51 GMT -5
Paul and Mike,
Prices are only going up and fast. I thought "pay as you go" was the the way to buy the metal supplies two years ago, now I am seriously thinking about making a one time buy ... as an investment. You guys may want to make some changes from copper to steel ... could save a ton of money!!
Pat
|
|
|
Post by Harlock on Dec 15, 2007 19:37:12 GMT -5
Pat, For G-code generators, you might check out BOBCAD. They offer a 'hobby pro' version (oxymoron?) that is less expensive than most commercial grade stuff. I believe it just converts pre-existing geometry to G-Code (with touch up capability) Nevertheless, you could at least code by hand and check your code using it's virtual machine preview. There's a free trial. It will import DXF and IGES if you have another modeler. We've messed with the pro version using solidworks, it's not as good as software with an extra zero on the price, but you get a lot for the money. The stuff it makes is not perfect, it needs a little tweaking for efficiency usually. --Mike
|
|
|
Post by toolman1951 on Dec 16, 2007 6:36:23 GMT -5
We've got Bob Cad at the shop. We bought it to get into CNC program without spending a lot of money. The guys like it so much we've never thought of upgrading to a more expensive software. It will do about anything the expensive softwares do. We use it for our mill and lathe and also the auto nesting program for our water jet. Works great!
|
|
|
Post by Harlock on Dec 17, 2007 2:42:52 GMT -5
Toolman: Which version of Bobcad, BobCad-Cam or Hobby pro?
|
|
|
Post by phutcheson on Dec 17, 2007 11:25:59 GMT -5
Thanks for the suggestion ... I will check it out.
I use TurboCad Pro 14 Mechanical Edition, I been using TurboCad software for years now (2d). For the last 6 months or so I been trying 3d ... still have difficult with 3d drawings ... in short ... can't. Something always is wrong, :' (but I'm still working on it and getting closer. I'm hopeful ...
Pat H
|
|
|
Post by Harlock on Dec 17, 2007 14:33:29 GMT -5
Our chief engineer is a mechanical design genius and he is having the same problem. His brain is hardwired for 2D autocad. He is slowly struggling with Solidworks but his incentive is low because autocad works great for him and we have other people doing SW translations for the CNC machines. Likely he will finish his career in 2D, which is just fine as long as we have the pipeline to support it.
I started out modelling in 3D using Lightwave, and had a visual effects career for about 8 years where I mostly did 3D animation and compositing, but this was all in polygons and NURBs meshes. When I started playing with Solidworks in 2001, going from 3D polygons to 3D solids required a huge shift in thinking, and it took me a while to get up to speed, mostly because I didn't have an engineer's background and had never physically built anything at that point. Now that I've been around engineers for going on 6 years this december and I'm dabbling in the machine shop, it all makes much more sense. In the poly mesh world, everything is destructive editing. With SW and similar software, you've got your whole feature tree, and you can go back in time to the beginning of your part and change base features and watch the part update with the change. (then prepare to fix all the broken relations if it's a really complicated part with weird relations...heh.)
I think my point is just keep messing with it and messing with it, and do the tutorials, and you'll suddenly have that 'a-ha!' moment where it will all make sense.
--Mike
P.S. the overpriced metal stock arrived today. Bearings this week!
|
|
|
Post by toolman1951 on Dec 17, 2007 14:34:25 GMT -5
Mike We're using Bob Cad Cam V21. The guys like it because it was pretty simple to pickup.
|
|
|
Post by phutcheson on May 31, 2008 17:01:14 GMT -5
Surprise surprise ... I finished the Tender !!
Onward to the Engine (after a break to catch up on other projects).
Also added to the Guest Page ... Siggy's pictures!!
Take a look at phutcheson.net/ under Projects. Siggy pictures are in the Guest Page.
Enjoy...
Pat H.
|
|
|
Post by pkastagehand on Jun 3, 2008 10:14:35 GMT -5
Lookin' good!
I haven't worked on mine all month. Left the country on May 7 arriving back home May 30. I have to finish hand pump, plumbing and screen inlets, etc.
Paul
|
|
|
Post by phutcheson on Jun 6, 2008 12:29:56 GMT -5
Mike ...
BobCAd was mentioned an earlier reply... I would like to continue with the topic but in a different thread. Should I use General Discussion??
Pat
|
|
|
Post by Harlock on Jun 6, 2008 17:18:57 GMT -5
Might as well start another discussion, it's getting pretty buried here and meandering off topic from the original post Might get more readers that way.
|
|
|
Post by phutcheson on Jan 7, 2010 20:20:31 GMT -5
Well I finally updated my website ...
It has been an inspiration to see all the neat things that are going on. So I thought that I should get back in and contribute.
Some of the "new" items were actually worked on sometime ago (like 6-12 months ago) ... but not added to the site. Got a little behind ... then things just seem to pile on.
So I have added the Section on Main Frame and Axle Boxes. Did a little more machining on the Driver Wheels.
Next I think I will finish detailing the Driver Wheels and do a some assembly work with parts that have made. See how it all fits together.
So take a look at phutcheson.net under Projects.
Also take look at the Guest Page ... Siggy has a whole batch of photos of his A3 ... nice stuff and very helpful.
Enjoy,
Pat H
|
|
|
Post by grege on Jan 8, 2010 8:22:03 GMT -5
Nice update! Good to see your loco is progressing.
|
|
|
Post by Harlock on Jan 8, 2010 18:22:10 GMT -5
Welcome back pat! I'm still alive too, and on the home stretch for the Chloe. So no A3 work.
|
|