Cad Program;
Anyone using an inexpensive program that works ?
I have a small machine shop, and am tired of scratching on the back of envelopes all the 'grand ideas' I have.
My talents with paper and pencil leave much to be desired...but I don't really want to spend a couple grand on a program, either.
I have a small machine shop, and am tired of scratching on the back of envelopes all the 'grand ideas' I have.
My talents with paper and pencil leave much to be desired...but I don't really want to spend a couple grand on a program, either.
0
-
quote:Originally posted by Highball
Danny;
Indeed I have long felt that about production machinists. Nothing wrong with that..just different results expected.
I am glad I brought this subject up for another reason...I had thought that layout and printing the results would aid in machining a part...but I reckon that the accuracy is just not there. I had not clearly recognized the printing problem, either...another degradation.
I don't know if I need 3D..seems I remember it takes tons of memory ?
Email me your address and let me send you a little CAD/CAM package to try. If all you want to do is draft with it, it can do a pretty good job. You can also set it up to post a mill or lathe CNC program, but Z axis on the mill is really manually driven. We call it 2-1/2 axis on the mill side because of that. I've done some pretty complex drawings with it, but if you are familure with something like AutoCAD or SoldiWorks, I can fix you up there too.
deheffley@verizon.net
PS, what CAD package are you currently using?0 -
Danny, you are the guy on the machine end of things. Do you program for a prototype shop or production shop? How much does GD&T and / or statistical sorting come into play in your shop?
The Tool Makers in our engineering machine shop are a bunch of grumpy wizards. I know they've hauled my butt out of a fire or two. They have also set it on fire a time or two. In Engineering, we feel that if we what the part to have sharp edges, we'll tell you, but you know what BASE means, I bet. That isn't difficult to put on a drawing if it saves an arse chewing (esp if it's my arae).0 -
quote:Originally posted by iceracerx
Danny, you are the guy on the machine end of things. Do you program for a prototype shop or production shop? How much does GD&T and / or statistical sorting come into play in your shop?
The Tool Makers in our engineering machine shop are a bunch of grumpy wizards. I know they've hauled my butt out of a fire or two. They have also set it on fire a time or two. In Engineering, we feel that if we what the part to have sharp edges, we'll tell you, but you know what BASE means, I bet. That isn't difficult to put on a drawing if it saves an arse chewing (esp if it's my arae).
We do Production, Proto-Type and Tooling. We have machinist who are everything from button pushers to Class A Tool Makers.
GD&T on everything for both production and tooling. We get away from a lot of your problems by establishing both drafting and manufacturing standards. Being ISO-9002 certified, we have too. For instance, our standard for edges and corners calls for a minimum of .003 and a maximum of .010 corner breaks being either a chamfer or radius unless otherwise specified. If we want the corner sharp, we have to specify it on the drawing.
You will always chase your tail unless you establish a set of drafting and manufacturing standards, document them, and live by them. The same goes for such things as thread chamfers and deburring, o'ring grooves on both corner breaks and surface finish, and just about anything considered a "feature" (the combination of cuts and dimensions to form a specific functional purpose) or "profile" (the combination of cuts and dimensions to form a standard configuration).
Establish them, document them, train everyone on them, then hold everyone accountable to fulfill their end of the agreement. Life will get much easier.0 -
There is ALWAYS warfare just under the level of bloodshed between Engineering (draftspersons, in the mechanics eyes) and machinists/mechanics (troglodytes, according to Engineering) [:D]
Amazing how things ever get done...but they do seem too.
After 9/11, the big crash program was to secure the cockpit doors from easy access. The Engineers brought down a Rube Goldberg contraption that was going to be a nightmare to build..we in the shop sat down and devised something that the engineers just threw their hands up at and stalked off in a huff.
The end result was a hybrid that worked quite well.
Within a few weeks, the upgrade was being bolted on the entire fleet.0 -
HB, you forgot to mention the pecking order for both "Machinists" and "Engineers" [:p]
One of our Engineering Managers has the nickname "Hands", because his hands are as clean as the day he was born. That is not and never has been my style. Many of our Mechanics come to me to design speciality tools for them. No Work Orders, No POs, NO Red Tape. Just me investing my lunch hours to get them what they want. I guess that's one reason I get invited to their Skeet Shoots, 5 Stand days and fishing trips.
Engineers: (Tongue in cheek)
Specialist - Knows one part intimately. Thinks an Engine is a Dunnage Rack for his Kanooten Valve.
Senior Engineer - Oversees Junior Engs
DESIGN Engineer - works to the 9th decimal (and if you're NOT? Your part is crap)
Production Engineer - Tries to figure out why the beast won't start
Resident Engineer - Tries to figure out why HIS parts aren't to spec
Manufacturing Eng - Tries to figure out how to get all the parts made in one place using 50 year old machines.
Product Eng - Schedules meeting to discuss why the parts are late because everyone is always going to meetings.
Student Eng - Future Cream of the Crop. 6 mo rotations while attending Grad School assure that they don't have time to seriously mess up THEIR part, nor learn anything except where the coffee is and which Vendor is good for lunch.
Entry Level Eng - Ready to set the world on fire but no one wants to hear it.
I'd take a shot at the Mechanics/Machinists, but will leave that to you.... I just know that you NEVER compare a Tool Maker to a Machinist if you want your parts made. And in our shops, you'd better know which is which. [:D]0 -
Oh, yes...learned quickly which Engineer was the Go-To guy..the one interested in getting the part out in the very best way possible.
Amazing how much can be learned just by observing true professionals that are interested in something other then impressing themselves...or their bosses.
The 'clean hands' business drove me...us..up the wall. Nice suits, spic and span shoes..
you just knew that you were in business when the 'Engineer Guy' showed up and grabbed a piece of metal and said " What we need here is..."...Whatever.
The other end, of course, I also got to observe..mechanics that couldn't bend a 90 degree or hold to the nearest 1/2" on their parts...
Somewhere I have "The Mechanics Ode... to Odious"..is sort of like your Engineer skit. If I can find it, I will post it.0 -
You mean to say that this type of thing happens at were you work too? [:D] 0 -
If an older cad program would work for you I think I have CAD 12 around here somewhere. May be able to get a copy from work of the latest. Will check Monday. You better have a good hard drive and lots of memory! Do you have the time to learn how to use it? 0 -
Thanks much, Rosie..I really appreciate you.
However, Dheffley (Danny) has already packaged up a Cad program and getting ready to ship...so yours would be an embarrassment of riches.I do appreciate the offer, tho.
As far as time.I got nuthin' BUT time, nowadays..since I think I beat you to retiring..[:D]0
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
40 comments