For discussing the merits of alternative 3D CAD programs.

[blowlampParticipant @blowlamp]

Posted by Ian Skeldon 2 on 25/11/2018 19:51:22:

Excellent videos Blowlamp, I must admit that I have used the trial version of MOI and found it very user friendly and very capable, in fact it was the only cad package that I could produce a tube with various internal diameters.

The one thing that lets it down in my opinion, is a lack of tutorials (unless I have missed something?)

Thanks, Ian.

Did you look on this page for tutorials?

If there's something specific you need to learn about MoI, then I'll try to help with a video or something.

Martin.

[blowlampParticipant @blowlamp]

Making a collet in MoI using simple steps.

I later exported a DXF of the drawing to ECam, which generated the gcode to make some on my little CNC lathe.

Martin.

Edited By blowlamp on 26/11/2018 14:49:21

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Does seem a bit long winded and having to keep jumping to the boxes to enter dimensions etc, this is a off the cuff how it can be done in Alibre, maybe a bit quicker if I had dun a dummy run or two first.

Edited By JasonB on 26/11/2018 17:23:45

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

This is how I would do the Toolpost in Alibre. It is much more like machining – start with your basic block of metal, form the central hole, cut out the slot then the screw holes. I also knocked off all the corners.

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Not satisfied with a single slot then what about two or better still a 4-way post.

[blowlampParticipant @blowlamp]

Posted by JasonB on 26/11/2018 15:35:28:

Does seem a bit long winded and having to keep jumping to the boxes to enter dimensions etc, this is a off the cuff how it can be done in Alibre, maybe a bit quicker if I had dun a dummy run or two first.

Edited By JasonB on 26/11/2018 17:23:45

I was trying to keep it slow but simple. You don't have to jump to those boxes with the mouse – for most of the time you can just start typing and MoI will oblige. You can TAB between boxes if you wish.

MoI isn't a Parametric Modeller so it's not driven by dimensions, but sizes are fully editable and there is some history that allows some manipulation of solids/surfaces from their control curves.

I had another go at the collet to make it quicker to draw and include a slotted collet like yours – straight out of MoI, but in 24k gold.

Martin.

[blowlampParticipant @blowlamp]

Demo of processing the collet through ECam to generate gcode.

Collet DXF to ECam from Eddie Walker on Vimeo.

[Gary WoodingParticipant @garywooding25363]

Posted by blowlamp on 27/11/2018 22:47:45:

Demo of processing the collet through ECam to generate gcode.

Without any form of commentary, it was more like a conjurer pulling rabbits from a hat.

[blowlampParticipant @blowlamp]

Posted by Gary Wooding on 28/11/2018 10:41:16:

Posted by blowlamp on 27/11/2018 22:47:45:

Demo of processing the collet through ECam to generate gcode.

Without any form of commentary, it was more like a conjurer pulling rabbits from a hat.

Mrs Blowlamp had the telly on when I made it.

I'll make a Director's Cut for you when the noise dies down.

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

I have not really looked into CAM and CNC much as I don't have the machines to use it but that does look quite an easy way to get the part machined rather than writing G-Code that I seem to read about a lot on here. There is no way I could understand that list at the end but I could get a good idea of what you were doing on the screen.

[blowlampParticipant @blowlamp]

Posted by JasonB on 28/11/2018 11:31:30:

I have not really looked into CAM and CNC much as I don't have the machines to use it but that does look quite an easy way to get the part machined rather than writing G-Code that I seem to read about a lot on here. There is no way I could understand that list at the end but I could get a good idea of what you were doing on the screen.

Jason.

All CAM apps use a thing called a 'post processor' and all that does is ensure the list at the end is written in a way your controller (Mach3, FANUC, LinuxCNC, etc) can understand – it's mostly the same 'language', but with slightly different dialects.

Given the right post processor, you'll hardly ever need to fiddle with the produced gcode.

Updated video, which I hope helps someone.

Collet DXF to ECam with commentary. from Eddie Walker on Vimeo.

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Thanks Eddie, very informative and explained in easy to follow language.

[blowlampParticipant @blowlamp]

Finished parts.

[Gary WoodingParticipant @garywooding25363]

Thank you Eddie, that was much clearer. Did you drill the centre before or after turning the profile? If after, how did you hold it?

[Brian HParticipant @brianh50089]

Many thanks for that Eddie, very informative and, although I don't have the capability at the moment, I can see that it's the way forward.

Brian

[blowlampParticipant @blowlamp]

Thanks for the feedback.

I drilled the holes first to maintain concentricity and before cutting the profile so as not to start drilling on a curved surface. A spotting drill was also used in an effort to keep the holes on centre and prevent wandering.

In retrospect, I think I'd have been fine either way because of the spotting drill's rigidity, although doing it the way I did let me drill a little deeper into the waste to ensure the tip of the 'bore-size' drill was fully contained at the start.

After parting off, they were held backwards in an ER11 collet and drilled @ 2.7mm to about 7mm from the front end and then tapped M3.35 x 0.8mm pitch. I had to make a tap due to the non-standard size.

Martin (Eddie Walker)

[blowlampParticipant @blowlamp]

Modelling an oval shaped screwdiver handle in MoI with just two curves and the Rail Revolve tool.

You could, for instance, export this from MoI as an STL file to a 3D printer, if you so wished.

 

Oval Screwdriver Handle in MoI from Eddie Walker on Vimeo.

 

Martin (Eddie Walker)

Edited By blowlamp on 02/12/2018 23:44:51

[Gary WoodingParticipant @garywooding25363]

Thanks Eddie, that was very clear and interesting. I've never seen Rail-revolve before.

[blowlampParticipant @blowlamp]

Keeping this topic alive.

Drawing an adjuster knob in MoI, using Extrude and a few other features to get the shape I'm after.

Adjuster Knob from Eddie Walker on Vimeo.

[OxymoronParticipant @oxymoron]

Hopefully this has not been covered and I've missed it in this thread. Was wondering if anyone had recommendations of a CAD package to run on Apple Mac please? I believe Alibre only runs on Windows.

Thanks

Dave

[blowlampParticipant @blowlamp]

Posted by Oxymoron on 06/12/2018 17:07:13:

Hopefully this has not been covered and I've missed it in this thread. Was wondering if anyone had recommendations of a CAD package to run on Apple Mac please? I believe Alibre only runs on Windows.

Thanks

Dave

Have you tried MoI?

Martin.

[OxymoronParticipant @oxymoron]

Thanks Martin, no the only package I have used is Sketchup and that was years ago for woodwork projects. I was just interested what others would recommend. I'll check out MoI.

Thanks Dave

[DrDaveParticipant @drdave]

Posted by Oxymoron on 06/12/2018 17:07:13:

Hopefully this has not been covered and I've missed it in this thread. Was wondering if anyone had recommendations of a CAD package to run on Apple Mac please? I believe Alibre only runs on Windows.

Thanks

Dave

I am a little late spotting this post, but I use Fusion 360 on my Mac. It does parametric CAD, CAM, animation & stress analysis for free (if you are a hobbyist). Your work is stored in "the cloud", which gives some people a wobble, but I am comfortable with this.

Regards

Dave

[Swarf MakerParticipant @swarfmaker85383]

In response to DrDave and to add to what he says viz; "Your work is stored in "the cloud", it is important to know that your work is also stored locally in a location of your choice.

The programme is also resident as 'stand-alone' on your computer and runs quite happily without an internet connection. It does require you to sync with the cloud ebery 30 days or so.

One other added value of Fusion360 is that you can choose to share any files or projects with other colleagues to the extent that they can edit/work with those projects to the extent that you as the project owner allow.

Edited By Swarf Maker on 26/12/2018 22:43:23

[Chris TriceParticipant @christrice43267]

The Cloud = Someone Else's Computer.

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