Computer Aided Wagonry

Pugsley · 25/8/12

I didn't phrase that post very well, what I meant was that it is very difficult to make the etch artwork in Alibre, purely because it is designed to make the drawings based on changes to the 3d model. I'm not altering the part drawing produced from Alibre, only colouring it in and adding tabs, which is much easier to do in Solid Edge.

I'm trying to avoid making alterations outside of the 3d environment, for precisely the reasons you mention.

Pugsley · 5/9/12

I f**kin' love technology, me!

These arrived today:

Bizarrely, these are the re-order of the parts that were rejected from the small order for pushing the boundaries of the technology (some of my sections were a little too small). There's no news on the main order as yet, although I thought it was the main order when it turned up, given the size of the box it was in.

Still, I'm pretty darn pleased - by inconveniencing a few electrons, I've got actual little parts on my workbench! the linkages and brake changeover levers have come out nicely, with minimal stepping in places where it's easily dealt with. I'm not quite sure about the buffer parts, the finish feels OK on the outside, but looks a bit ropey in places, but I'm hoping that it is on the inside. If it hasn't worked, I think I'm into the realm of creative turning of brass tubes, which I don't really want to do.

I think this is better than the feeling you get when your etched sheets arrive, but that comes a close second

28ten · 5/9/12

I always love it when bits arrive, and they look pretty successful.

Pugsley · 5/9/12

To say I'm well chuffed with them would be a bit of an understatement! I'm pretty happy that I only had two items rejected first time, with it being the first time that I've done anything like this, and those two that were, I did kind of know that I was pushing it.

28ten · 5/9/12

Pugsley said:
To say I'm well chuffed with them would be a bit of an understatement! I'm pretty happy that I only had two items rejected first time, with it being the first time that I've done anything like this, and those two that were, I did kind of know that I was pushing it.

Even better if it is a first effort :thumbs:

I notice you sprued it as well, is that with the intention of casting?
The technology is getting tantalisingly close to being able to print anything, and with etching it will be possible to make anything.

Pugsley · 5/9/12

Thanks

It wasn't really done with casting in mind, I guess it may prove to be a Good Thing in terms of that, although I don't know if the sprues are big enough to be effective casting feeds. It was done in order to minimise the set up costs with a large number of small parts - I've ordered a whole twin sets-worth as casting masters. Most parts are planned to be cast in whitemetal, except for the buffers and axleboxes, which I hope to get lost-wax cast in brass, for durability.

I quite agree with the technology becoming close to being able to print anything - I'm off to a 3D printing/additive manufacturing show at the NEC later in the month, so I'm hoping to get a good idea of what is truly possible now and in the near future.

It's possible to make anything now, I think, it's just going to get better! I've said it before, but I think we're on the cusp of the next industrial revolution.

BrushType4 · 5/9/12

I can see why you are so chuffed. Hurry up main order and get to Pugsley!

Pugsley · 5/9/12

28ten said:
Personally I export everything to a dxf and do all the fine adjustments in Draftsight or autocad

Is Draftsight any good? Do you know how it compares in user friendliness to TurboCAD, please? I'm not convinced by this Solid Edge program any more, although I think I may have to become proficient in layers, and that my problems with it will be solved if I do.

Artwork in CorelDraw was so much easier!

Pugsley · 5/9/12

BrushType4 said:
I can see why you are so chuffed. Hurry up main order and get to Pugsley!

Thanks Phil - I want the main order to turn up too! Then it's down to getting the castings made, and finishing off the artwork.

This may take a back seat to the 37 for a while now that I've given up any hope of having anything done by the RMweb competition deadline - that way I can hopefully get it running around the S7 test track at the Mark do in October. I'd like to have one twin set built for Telford next year though, as I plan to enter in in the competition.

28ten · 5/9/12

Pugsley said:
Is Draftsight any good? Do you know how it compares in user friendliness to TurboCAD, please? I'm not convinced by this Solid Edge program any more, although I think I may have to become proficient in layers, and that my problems with it will be solved if I do.

Artwork in CorelDraw was so much easier!

Personally i dont like turbocad, it is just not intuitive to me. Draftsight is excellent, not as good as Autocad LT but it is £900 cheaper :))

I use it regularly to tidy up the dxf's from Solidworks and for preparing dxfs for the laser. All the Autocad shortcuts are supported, so I rarely need to use menus.
Yes you need to learn to use layers, infact it is essential. good naming practice and prefixing is the key allowing you to easily filter them large drawings.

Steph Dale · 5/9/12

28ten said:
Personally i dont like turbocad, it is just not intuitive to me. Draftsight is excellent, not as good as Autocad LT but it is £900 cheaper I use it regularly to tidy up the dxf's from Solidworks and for preparing dxfs for the laser. All the Autocad shortcuts are supported, so I rarely need to use menus.
Yes you need to learn to use layers, infact it is essential. good naming practice and prefixing is the key allowing you to easily filter them large drawings.

Cynric,

That depends which version of TurboCad you've been using. I've currently got v18 Pro Platinum and it rocks (and, indeed, rolls). Superb piece of software with a much more intuitive GUI than of yore. I'll probably uplift to v19 as there's an offer running currently for existing users...

Steph

28ten · 5/9/12

Steph Dale said:
Cynric,

That depends which version of TurboCad you've been using. I've currently got v18 Pro Platinum and it rocks (and, indeed, rolls). Superb piece of software with a much more intuitive GUI than of yore. I'll probably uplift to v19 as there's an offer running currently for existing users...

Steph

I have used Autocad for years, so Turbocad (I think it was V14) left me dumbfounded :))

Draftsight as a freebie is hard to beat, although I believe basic Turbocad is cheap.

tomstaf · 5/9/12

Pugsley said:
Thanks Phil - I want the main order to turn up too! Then it's down to getting the castings made, and finishing off the artwork.

This may take a back seat to the 37 for a while now that I've given up any hope of having anything done by the RMweb competition deadline - that way I can hopefully get it running around the S7 test track at the Mark do in October. I'd like to have one twin set built for Telford next year though, as I plan to enter in in the competition.

These parts look very encouraging Martin - top stuff!! I'm uber excited to see the rest of it and the etched parts too

What's the 'Mark do' in October?

Cheers

Tom

28ten · 6/9/12

Mark is the S7 'do' http://www.scaleseven.org.uk/Diary/S7diary.html

Pugsley · 6/9/12

I've got TurboCAD V17, but I don't find it particularly easy to use and am loathe to spend more money acquiring V18, only to discover that I don't like that either! I would only need the basic version though, as I've got Alibre for the 3D stuff.

I'll probably try and persevere with the layers in Solid Edge and if that doesn't work to my satisfaction, give Draftsight a go. There certainly seems to be more in the way of instructions and supporting documentation for it, than there is for Solid Edge.

28ten · 6/9/12

Draftsight is pretty much the default freebie choice, and its better supported. I find a parametric modeller and a basic 2d work well together

tomstaf · 6/9/12

28ten said:
Mark is the S7 'do' http://www.scaleseven.org.uk/Diary/S7diary.html

Thanks Guv'nor

Tom

Pugsley · 6/9/12

28ten said:
Draftsight is pretty much the default freebie choice, and its better supported. I find a parametric modeller and a basic 2d work well together

Thanks, I might download it and take a look.

Pugsley · 6/9/12

Had a UPS email today, which means that the main order is on its way.
Woot!

daifly · 6/9/12

Pugsley said:
Had a UPS email today, which means that the main order is on its way.
Woot!

I had one too - why would they need my bank details?

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