CAD progress update 3rd March 2009
I believe I may have settled on a strategy at last for my use of CAD. It was nearly CAD/CAM because a member of HMEM forum was selling a CNC milling machine and lathe recently released by a school. I made an offer on the milling machine which matched the seller’s valuation but he wanted to sell both and not split them. I wasn’t too unhappy and would have only bought the mill because of its size and value for money (looked like it had never been used!)
Anyway back to CAD. Again on the HMEM forum one member related his experiences with Alibre Design CAD software which, whilst the full program costs a considerable amount (not really cost effective for the hobbyist), do offer a limited version which is free. Yes free! This software operates in 3D and it allows very simple transfer of work to drawings. Something I was looking for from BobCad.
I had tried several months ago to download Alibre without success, so whilst it came recommended, I was not looking forward to trying to install it again. However when downloading this time it went through fine and works on my laptop running on Vista basic (which causes problems on most CAD/CAM packages as far as I can see). The only issue I found was that the last failed attempt to download must have registered with Alibre because the first download includes running the full version for a limited period of time before it then runs the free version (and some of the features disabled).
All of this came about at a time when I was thinking of upgrading from TurboCad Deluxe to a more comprehensive premium version but 2 or 3 versions old. So I thought I would try Alibre since it has installed. I must say that after the first few sessions, when it seems impossible to even draw a straight line with any new program, I did start to get to grips with it.
Alibre does have a very useful help system and even after the initial frustrations of having used BobCad in full 3D mode, going back to 2D TurboCad and now back again to 3D, I prefer working in 3D. I have been told that if you have been brought up using CAD from the early days, you do need to change your thinking when using 3D. Fortunately my lack of experience and exposure to CAD is in fact something of an advantage! Well there had to be one somewhere.
Once I worked out how to draw a line, the extrude and opposite functions worked well with the menu’s not so massive as in other programs I have been exposed too. I have much to learn, don’t get me wrong, but I have nearly succeeded in producing a printed plan from the idea stage. You will note I say nearly. I am not there yet but it shouldn’t be long before I can make available plans in PDF form for download. The first plans will be for a fixture to adjust the cut from an inline boring tool, an inline boring bar and a ball turning tool. So look back if you’re interested in any of those ideas. To be contd.
About Mike Freeman
Hello, my name is Mike Freeman and I am a retired Chief Fire Officer from the United Kingdom with a keen interest in model engineering, silver caddy spoons and sea fishing. I live in the pretty fishing port of Brixham, South Devon, in the United Kingdom.
I am a sufferer of degenerative osteoarthritis, which impacts on the amount of time I can spend in the workshop, and is the reason why you will see seats and a stool in some of the photo's. I have only recently added the above sentence after a discussion with one of my Doctor's from the excellent pain clinic, based in Torbay. This does affect concentration one of the reasons why I double then re-double my measurements and set ups.
Before completing nearly 30 years of public service I and my wife Sandy, owned and ran, a small restaurant in Okehampton Devon. Prior to marriage I worked for my father in his various businesses, in the early days these were garages, which he bought in a run down state, then built them up before moving on, to start again.
I took every opportunity in those early days, to work in his workshop's
learning 'on the job' rather than as an apprentice. This, I suspect, is the reason why my building various model's in the early days, turned into model engineering, when funds allowed the required equipment to be bought.
My workshop comprises one half of a detached double garage. It has a
stud wall separating the two halves and unusually perhaps, its own
shower/toilet/washbasin compartment! (the true reason for buying the
bungalow - don't tell the wife!!!)
It is fully insulated with a ceiling and fluorescent lighting supplementing the one window. Several double electrical sockets are dotted around in
relevant positions.
Equipment consists of 2 lathes (1 Myford ML 10 and 1 Chinese variable
speed motor with etched glass DRO's), 1 milling machine (RF25 far East) floor standing pillar drill, Proxxon bandsaw, Warco bandsaw, 6" wire brush and polishing mop motor, 6" coarse and fine grinder, Proxxon mini drill, various benches and an engineers vice. I have just acquired a third lathe, a Myford ML7 which I am at present evaluating so I can decide which of the Myford's I will keep.
I have only just bought the Chinese lathe and had it fitted with DRO's prior to delivery. And what a bonus they are! So good in fact that I decided to buy another set for the Milling machine. Whilst my engineering experience can only be described as limited, I find the use of DRO's has affected my accuracy levels which have improved tremendously (although that's not saying much!) and would recommend their fitting to any model engineer.
Prior to retirement I built for my son's 17th birthday a Locost car. This
was a tremendous project and a great feeling when it passed its test. The book it was based on suggests it can be built for £250. Ours was nothing special in the sense of all new parts but still cost about £900 to build!
