Ditto Andrzej.

Also from the Model Engineer, c.1972. This was compiled in CadKey (now KeyCreator).

Best regards to all.

Sam

Thanks Michael,

The virtual reality (CAD) is a great help when testing the geometry of (say) an English escapement.

By the way, although my clock is now very real (see my avatar), and has been running for about two and a half years, it was only possible with the help of a lot of chaps via this ME Forum and other places.

Regards to all,

Sam

Or building a new shed or home from router cut plywood panels.

Note the list of files…. If your cad system has the ability to use inserted drawings learn this feature well. it will save a huge amount of time. The drawing below is made entirely from inserted parts being each panel drawn separately.

I have also put a partial list of some of my drawn parts for inclusion in other designs in my album there is no point in drawing items you will use again and again more than once.

http://www.model-engineer.co.uk/albums/member_photo.asp?a=29877&p=483004

If you cannot insert drawings then use blocks most CAD programs allow you to save a set of line objects as a block.

Learning CAD is not an insurmountable hurdle if you have not tried it. The hard part is starting… The first few weeks will be pretty boring, frustrating, irritating and unrewarding, however once you have got over the steep hill at the start you will wonder how you lived without it.

For conceptualising a design I can think of no better way. The building design concept above is a good example, No it is not an engineered ready to build design. When I drew it, it showed up some of the hurdles that you would face were you to refine the design and actually build. In particular in this case the cost verses a conventional frame method. In this case not ideal. But that is what CAD is all about, a few hours drawing and a lot of questions are answered.

Regards
John

Edited By John McNamara on 22/12/2013 02:33:00

Very nice work Andrzej and Sam. I too would be interested to know what programme was used to get the final renderings.

This is the best I can get out of my Alibre, should start making swarf on that in the new year. I have the crankcase as semi transparent so I can see whats going on inside.

Edited By JasonB on 22/12/2013 08:07:22

Another one here:-

I use Solidworks in my day job as a design engineer, so it makes sense to build all my models in 3D first.

I very rarely have any problems once I start cutting metal.

Here is the unfinished 3D model of my Pollit & Wigzell mill engine "Agnes"

I knew a guy some years ago, sadly dead now who had to sell up through health issues and go into a nursing home.

He got someone to teach him 3D CAD, no mean feat and then started building in 3D .

Now this is where it got interesting in that he built full size !! His friends were building a loco in 7 1/4" gauge scaled from original plans, he was building full size. 67 tonnes in a little one room flat.

Well, recalling KWILL's recent thread , this really IS armchair engineering! It seems to me that proficiency with such software would be almost essential for the would be designer but, as posted, a very useful aid to the constructor which might save time and expensive errors. The only issue I would have with it would be the time it would take to learn how to use it and it would prove yet another distraction to keep me in front of the computer and out of the workshop! John – your post is encouraging. Whilst I'm not quite there yet it is good to think that here is an outlet should workshop activities become impossible.

So, going back to the OP and question " Virtual modelling – can it have a place here?" – sure it can! ( I must just finish off a few outstanding project before I get involved!)

Now then – away from the computer and out to the workshop.

Norman

I also use Solidworks in ym day job, but this is my latest project in 12" to the foot scale.

can anyone tell which side my mates Triumph was parked

I bought a physical version of 'Angry Birds' as a Christmas present.

Now as the original was a computer game, I have to ask – which is the reality….?

There's one for the philosophers!

Neil

This is a great thread! More please…

Diane

Then of course, having removed many of the parts, there’s HLR (Hidden Line Removal).

Of course it has a place here! It's just another tool (toy)at our disposal. I may not use it(yet) but it is something to learn about for future development. It's grand. Just like any advance in methods of doing stuff, CNC for example or using electric motors for lathes instead of treadle drives. Luddites need not reply.