Archive for the ‘Computer Aided Design’ Category

Creative Design Software for CNC
There are two main ones in my mind.  Adobe Illustrator and Corel Draw.  People will tell you one is the best.  I will tell you both are good.  My advice is to try them both and see which one you feel comfortable with. 

I naturally gravitate to Adobe Illustrator.  It is only because I use other Adobe Products and like to keep all this stuff in the same family.  I do that for common look and feel as I switch back and forth.

It seems to me more people use Corel Draw for plasma.  This is just an observation and I don’t have any facts to back it up.  The reason I think this happened is that a few of the early adoptors of CNC Plasma started with Corel and then recommended it.  Both software packages work great and they have many of the same features.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Free Software for this type of work.  Have you ever heard the saying, “you get what you pay for.”  If you are old enough, you know this is a true statement.  I would suggest you download a few of these and play around with them.  It can’t hurt and it will probably make you feel better when you actually buy Adobe Illustrator or Corel Draw.

What is your Vector, Victor?
You are about to learn something very important.  There are two main types of images in the world, Vector and Raster?  What is the difference you ask?  I know you know, but you never put a name to it.

A raster image is made up of pixels of color.  When you expand or scale a raster image to make it larger, the image pixelates and turns very grainy.  You can now see each pixel in a larger form then it was intended.  If you have never done this, go to the web, download an image, then expand it.  You will get the drift.  Web Raster Images almost always pixelate because they are saved at very low resolutions so the Web Page loads faster.

A vector image is made up of lines and control points.  Think of a company’s “Logo.”  These lines are drawn using math.  Now think back to your Geometry class and all those graphs you made.  Circles, ellipses and parabolas were the norm.  That is what a vector line in a Design Software consists of.  When you “Scale” the vector image, it maintains its integrity.  Why?  The math can adjust as the image is scaled.  The image is perfectly clear whether it is on a postage stamp or on the side of a barn.

Vector control points help you out quite a bit as well.  You get to reshape the image quickly and easily.  For example, say you are making a wooden sign for a friend on your CNC Wood Router.  And, you want to make one letter in a line of text a little larger than the rest.  You really want to make it pop out as the first letter in the line.  With control points it is easy.  You just select that letter and “Scale” it to a larger size.  Done.

Vectors are what we want to use in CNC.  Think about it.  Maybe you want to resize a part or that cowboy on a horse.  With vectors, it is simple.

Vector Images:
Are described with math
Do not loose resolution when scaled
Are generally made up with lines
Are CNC friendly

Raster Images:
Consist of Pixels of color
Pixelate when enlarged
Are Not CNC friendly

Raster to Vector Software
I won’t say a lot about this right now because it is beyond the basics of CNC.  But, there are programs out there that convert Raster Images to Vector Images.  Some are better, some are worse.  You would want to do this if you wanted to take a photo of something, like a person’s face, and then convert it into vector lines.  At that point, you could edit the lines up and route the face into wood or cut it out of steel.

File Types You Will Deal With
There is something about CNC and converting files back and forth.  You will have to export and import multiple file types.  Most programs handle this so you shouldn’t worry.  What you will have to worry about is getting these converted over with the right extension so the next software package can read it.
Every CNC setup is different and you should take notes about your set up. Keep a log of the different file types and what works with your setup.  This will become apparent soon enough.

Examples of Different File Types
.ai – Adobe Illustrator Artwork (AI) is a proprietary file format developed by Adobe Systems for representing single-page vector-based drawings in either the EPS or PDF formats. The .ai filename extension is used by Adobe Illustrator.

.eps – Encapsulated PostScript, or EPS, is a DSC-conforming PostScript document with additional restrictions intended to make EPS files usable as a graphics file format.

.hpgl – HPGL, sometimes hyphenated as HP-GL, is the primary printer control language used by Hewlett-Packard plotters. The name is a set of initials for Hewlett-Packard Graphics Language. It later became a standard for almost all plotters.

.dxf – AutoCAD DXF (Drawing Interchange Format, or Drawing Exchange Format) is a CAD data file format, developed by Autodesk as their solution for enabling data between AutoCAD and other programs.

.dwg – DWG ("drawing") is a format used for storing two and three dimensional design data and BIM metadata, it is the internal format for the AutoCAD Computer Aided Design package.

.3dm – The main file format of Rhino3D is called 3dm. It is very useful especially for the exchange of NURBS geometry because it is released as an Open Source Toolkit called openNURBS, which is provided by the developers of Rhino3D.

What do I really need to know?
First, stay away from raster images.  Next, stick with vector images.  When you stay with vector images, virtually everything can get converted somehow and some way into the file format you want it in.  Why, you ask?  It is being described by math, not bits of color.

Originally posted 2007-11-10 03:43:07. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

SolidCAM to Exhibit its latest version at SolidWorks World 2008

2008-01-18 17:36:29 -

January 18, 2008 – SolidCAM, the leading and fast growing supplier of integrated CAM software solutions for the manufacturing industry, today announced it will exhibit at SolidWorks World 2008, one of the world’s largest annual 3D CAD events. This in-ternational user conference and exposition takes place in the San Diego, CA, Conven-tion Center January 20 – 23, 2008.

SolidCAM will demonstrate the new version SolidCAM2008 R12, which is Gold-certified for SolidWorks®2008 at Booth # 632. The single-window user interface and the full as-sociativity between the CAD model and NC tool path guarantee a short learning curve and an efficient data flow from the 3D design model to the machined part. The new version provides a complete manufacturing solution with enhanced user friendliness, more automation features and additional CAM functions. SolidCAM2008 R12 supplies improvements for all Milling applications, including interactive and automated 2.5D Mill-ing, High-Speed Machining, Indexial and Simultaneous 5-axis Machining. Also, users will benefit from new features for the Mill-Turn, which includes support up to 5-axes (XYZCB) and back spindle operations.

SolidCAM is also presenting at the Certified Partner Theater on Tuesday, Jan 22nd at 4 p.m. Mr. Bede Kortegast, SolidCAM’s VP of sales for North America, will demonstrate the latest innovations in SolidCAM2008 R12.
Today, SolidWorks and SolidCAM look back to a successful 5-year partnership, which started in the year 2003 with the Gold certification and the Bundle agreement. Emil Somekh, founder and Managing Director of SolidCAM, states: ‘As a Gold-certified part-ner of SolidWorks, we have always been committed to single-window integration and full associativity with SolidWorks – in our view the best solution to streamline the entire manufacturing process which results in reduced costs and shorter lead times.- He continues: ‘In the past 5 years, we succeeded together with SolidWorks to win several thousand new customers, which benefited from the combined solution Solid-Works+SolidCAM. In the next years, we will continue to strengthen our leadership in In-tegrated CAM.-

About SolidCAM

Founded in 1984 by its Managing director Dr. Emil Somekh, SolidCAM provides manu-facturing customers with a full suite of CAM software modules for 2.5D and 3D Milling, High-Speed Machining, Multi-sided Indexial 4/5 axes Milling, Simultaneous 5 axes Mill-ing, Turning, Turn-Mill up to 5-axes and WireEDM. SolidCAM has the Certified Gold-product status from SolidWorks and provides seamless, single-window integration and full associativity to the SolidWorks design model including parts, assemblies and con-figurations. SolidCAM has today more than 12,000 seats installed. SolidCAM is sold by a worldwide reseller network in 46 countries. SolidCAM is used in the mechanical manufacturing, electronics, medical, consumer products, machine design, automotive and aerospace industries, in mold, tool and die and rapid prototyping shops. SolidCAM has been on a very rapid growth path since it implemented the SolidWorks integration strategy with high annual growth rates of more than 30%. For the latest information, visit the company’s website www.solidcam.com

For more information about SolidCAM visit:
www.solidcam.com

Press Contact
Rachael Dalton-Taggart
Strategic Reach PR
Tel: (303) 487-7406
Email: Rachael@strategicreachpr.com

Originally posted 2008-01-15 21:35:37. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

 We have talked quite a bit about cutting pumpkins with CNC.  Here are some photos and the press release for the company doing it.

Have you carved the pumpkins yet? A company in Fraser, Michigan, has come up with a novel way to quickly make pumpkins into jack-o-lanterns. By using CNC waterjets they have turned the tradition of spending hours carving pumpkins into an activity that takes a fraction of a minute. Yes, it is a bit ridiculous but the pumpkins look really cool.

Fraser, MI (PRWEB) October 29, 2007 — Halloween is this week. Have you carved the pumpkins yet? A company in Fraser, Michigan, has come up with a novel way to quickly make pumpkins into jack-o-lanterns. By using CNC waterjets they have turned the tradition of spending hours carving pumpkins into an activity that takes a fraction of a minute. Yes, it is a bit ridiculous but the pumpkins look really cool.

"Actually, my kids came up with the idea," said Tom Monroe, Jr., of FluidCut, a waterjet cutting service. "They always see the amazing things we cut with the waterjet so they asked me to use it for their pumpkins. We cut everything from cutting glass sculptures for artists to armor for military tanks. Cutting pumpkins isn’t a problem."

Using water to cut food is nothing new. Much of the packaged food you find in the grocery store is cut with ultra high-pressure waterjets. However, carving the pumpkins with the waterjet does have its difficulties. The water is so powerful it cuts through both sides of the pumpkin. There are tricks that FluidCut uses to alleviate that problem.

Waterjets use ultra-high pressure water to cut almost any material. When cutting hard materials like copper, glass, or granite tile, an abrasive is added to the water. The most commonly used abrasive is the mineral garnet. Monroe said for pumpkin carving only water is needed.

Carving the pumpkins with the waterjet allows FluidCut to cut designs that are not possible with a knife. The kids’ favorite is the Homer Simpson jack-o-lantern, because the eyes and tongue are cut in a continuous spiral so it looks like they are popping out of Homer’s head. Adults seem to like the pumpkins with portraits of classic Hollywood stars like Marilyn Monroe and James Dean cut into them. You can see more pictures of the extreme pumpkin carving at the Halloween link at www.FluidCut.com.

The machine can carve pumpkins in seconds, but Monroe said he has to get back to work cutting other things like marble floor inlays and aluminum machine parts for his customers. Carving pumpkins with the waterjet does make some amazing jack-o-lanterns for Halloween but Monroe added he still is going to take an hour or two to carve some pumpkins at the kitchen table. "No matter how fast I can cut them on the waterjet, or how cool they look, I’m not about to give up the tradition of carving them the old fashioned way with my friends and family."

Originally posted 2007-11-11 17:26:34. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Milling machine for Tough Applications

Automotive parts subject to high loads, such as drive shafts, gear wheels, and cardan joints, are formed using special tools. Besides having to meet increasingly demanding quality requirements, component manufacturers have to pay particular attention to the cost of the manufacturing process as a whole.

Eleven partners working together in the European Union (EU) project, HardPrecision, have developed a five-axis milling machine for high-precision hard machining. The results were presented at the Euromold 2007 fair, which took place in Frankfurt, Germany.

"Automotive parts, for instance, and the cold-working tools used to shape them, are expected to last for increasingly longer. For this reason, they are made out of extremely hard, high-strength materials, but this also means that they are more difficult to machine.

It is a major challenge for the European tooling and mould-making industry, because the parts have to be manufactured to a high standard of quality, without driving up costs,“ says Kristian Amtz, of the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology, in Aaachen.

In current practice, the process chain in tooling and mould-making involves milling, hardening, surface treatment by spark erosion and, often, final finishing by hand. In the EU’s HardPrecision project, the Fraunhofer specialists teamed up with ten European partners to develop an improved machine for high-precision, five-axis hard milling.

The industrial partners included component manufacturers, such as Hemtech Machine Tools, of the Netherlands, System 3R AB, of Sweden, and Walter Dittel, of Germany, and also end-users, such as Hirschvogle Umformtechnik, Moldit SA, of Portugal, and Norma, of the Netherlands.

On the scientific side, the Fraunhofer researchers were supported by the Research Centre for Manufacturing Technology, at the University of Prague, in the Czech Republic.

"One of the chief objectives was to reduce the process cycle for the tools,“ Amtz explains.

To do so, the researchers undertook a detailed study of the whole milling process – starting with Cam and NC technologies, and continuing with machine tools and tool coatings through to process monitoring.

"In HardPrecision, we took a broad view of the whole process chain. Our partners told us which materials they intended to work with in future. These comprised mainly conventional and powder-metallurgical cold-work and high-speed steels,“ Amtz relates.

To optimise the entire seqsuence of proces steps, the scientists defined a number of separate work packages. This meant, for instance, having to reconfigure the process technology, given that one of the key questions addressed by the project was: What is the most cost-effective way of obtaining the necessary tool geometry?

"The modern trend in manufacturing is to use a single forming process to produce increasingly complex shapes, for instance, highly loaded steering system componets. As a conequence, toolmakers are also having to deal with highly complex shapes. This, in turn, increases the complexity of the necessary machining tools and the design of the individual milling paths," says Amtz.

The solution found by the researchers was to adapt the machine to the new requirements by developing an optimised prototype with all-hydrostatic bearings. The improvements they implemented included the integration of lightweight structures and optimising the coordination between the machine and the control system.

Originally posted 2008-01-14 21:16:26. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

By Wilbur Corncob

Although this blog based on CAD may not seem relevant to the context of CNC machining to some people, it is an integral part of the same. The three processes of CAD, CAM and CNC go hand in hand and none is complete without the other.

Now CAD refers to the process of Computer Aided Design which, as the name suggests, refers to the production of drawings and graphics about the part to be designed in computer software based on the requirements of the client or the organization ordering the same.

There are several professional software packages available for carrying out computer aided design which includes those such as AutoCAD, Rhino and Pro-Engineer to name but a few. These software packages have lot of inbuilt utilities and functions which make it relatively easier for an engineer or a designer to design products which are then later manufactured using computerized machines.

The file type used for storing CAD data is named as DXF, which is compatible with most popular CNC tool softwares. Hence we see that CAD defines the first step towards designing parts of a machine for later manufacturing on computer controlled machines known as CNC machines about which we will learn more during this blogging.

News Digest Blog

Originally posted 2007-10-13 15:57:14. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

A/CAD Viewer Available as Free Public Beta

NOVATO, Calif., Jan. 15, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) — IMSI/Design, the global leader in retail CAD, announced that it is releasing a public beta of its new A/CAD Viewer for both the Apple(r) Mac OS(r) (Nasdaq:AAPL) and Microsoft(r) Windows(r) (Nasdaq:MSFT) operating systems.

A/CAD Viewer lets Mac(r) and PC users view .DWG files like those created by Autodesk(r) AutoCAD(r), AutoCAD LT (Nasdaq:ADSK) and other standard CAD applications. Users have full control over the visibility of layers, line styles, and line weights. Both 2D and 3D navigation is easy with familiar zoom, pan, and walkthrough controls.

"Macintosh is exploding in popularity, yet there are virtually no AutoCAD-oriented tools for the platform," stated Bob Mayer, Chief Operating Officer for IMSI/Design. "We think A/CAD Viewer will quickly become a must-have utility for Mac CAD users. It’s easy-to-use and very powerful."

3D display is enhanced with support for multiple rendering styles, including wireframe, hidden line, conceptual, and low resolution realistic. Models can be viewed in parallel projection or perspective. A large set of standard isometric and diametric views quickly orient the drawing to necessary points of view.

In addition, users can perform elementary data take-off with A/CAD Viewer’s robust set of measuring tools, including length, consecutive length, area, radius, and diameter. A comprehensive set of familiar snap tools make measurement precise and effortless. A properties palette allows the capture of information about any selected object. And details such as line style, or line weight, hatch pattern, or color can be extracted with ease.

The A/CAD Viewer supports OS X 10.4 and 10.5 for the Macintosh(r) and Microsoft Windows XP and Vista for the PC.

For more information, please visit www.IDX-Design.com or visit our booth No. 2611 at MacWorld for a demonstration.

About IMSI/Design

IMSI/Design is the global leader in retail CAD (Computer Aided Design). IMSI/Design products include the award-winning TurboCAD(r), DesignCAD, and FloorPlan(r) families of precision design applications. Please visit www.IMSIdesign.com or www.IDX-Design.com for more information.

(c) 2007 IMSI/Design, LLC. All rights reserved. IMSI/Design(r) and A/CAD are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of IMSI/Design, LLC. All other identifiable marks are the property of their respective owners.

CONTACT: IMSI/Design
         Lindsay Mayfield
         415.878.4027
         pr(at)imsidesign.com

Originally posted 2008-01-05 23:38:04. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Machining Jobs

Machining refers to the basic process of cutting parts out of a work piece according to predetermined size and shape. Machining jobs are performed using different types of machining techniques such as laser machining, wire electrical discharge machining (EDM), Chemical etching machining, metal stamping machining, water jet machining, and abrasive water jet machining.

Most of the machining jobs are controlled with the help of computer numeric control (CNC) software that guides the cutting equipment along the lines and arcs of a computer aided design (CAD) drawing. The CAD drawing is a three dimensional (3D) graphic representation of parts that are to be fabricated.

Apart from cutting parts from work pieces, machining jobs also include the process of "grinding." Grinding is a process in which a grinding belt or wheel is rubbed against the work piece for removing unwanted material from it. The process is commonly used for fabricating metal pieces that are too hard to be machined by other machining processes. The work piece does not heat up during this process as water is used to cool it. "Drilling" is another machining job, which involves the use of a drill or a drill press that has a drill bit for cutting parts from a work piece.

Machining jobs may include "milling," wherein the milling machine resembles a drill press and the cutter looks like a drill bit that goes downwards in the piece to be cut. However, the milling process is less accurate and is preferred less than the turning or grinding machining process.

Machining jobs have enabled manufacturers to design and produce complicated parts used in high tech industries such as aerospace and automobile. An increasing number of machining jobs are now being rendered using environmentally friendly techniques, such as water jet and laser, which are good for the future growth and development of manufacturing industries.

Originally posted 2007-10-24 13:54:08. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Orthopedic Manufacturing – Medical Manufacturing Miracles on a Daily
PR.com – One specialized orthopedic manufacturer is Tracer Tool & Machine Co., Inc. in Oakland, NJ. This company is a modern hi A considerable advancement has been made in Computerized Numerical Control, (CNC) machining capability by their purchase of a

Making space more affordable
Engineer Live – satellites are built as one-offs, so mechanical components are normally machined from solid using CNC (computer numerically controlled) machine For the intricate, tightly toleranced machining that is required, SSTL is fortunate in that its location in

Worldwide Industrial Marketplace Offers New Machinery Buying Guide and
24-7PressRelease.com – buyers, as well as companies involved in manufacturing, heavy construction, machining processing, molding, slotting, labeling, slitting, converting, stamping, CNC the new directory also includes a comprehensive selection of new and used machine

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Digital CAD – Said Todd Branch, CNC Programmer; “We were already having problems with the Machine cycle time also dramatically improved by as much as 15% – almost a day per to be cut this way, which shaved a further 2% off of material waste and machining time

Business Capsules
Business Ledger – PARK RIDGE—Tooling & Manufacturing Association, a Chicago area association of 1,300 tool & die, mold, machining, special machine TMA members are looking for skilled help in all areas of manufacturing, but especially for CNC programmers and

Collective engineering and computer skills earn MHS students national
Mexico Ledger – It’s controlled by a computer, so basically you can draw anything you want in three dimensions, and this machine can make G-code is computer code used to instruct CNC machining devices about required motions for creation of the product. Utilizing

Originally posted 2007-09-23 09:45:04. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

SYCODE Offers Import/Export Add-Ins for SpaceClaim

PANAJI, GOA, India, Jan 14, 2008 – SYCODE today launched nine CAD file import and export add-ins for SpaceClaim.

"SpaceClaim is all set to revolutionize the way we think about CAD software”, explains Deelip Menezes, owner of SYCODE. “And we want to be part of that revolution. At SYCODE, we firmly believe that SpaceClaim Professional 2007+ is CAD 2.0 – the next generation of CAD software. Over the past few months SpaceClaim Corporation has made significant changes to their software and their business model, something, we believe, will work in their favor and increase their footprint in the CAD software market. SpaceClaim, the company and the software, is all about openness and simplicity, both of which form an integral part of what SYCODE has continuously strived to achieve. These data exchange add-ins are our contribution towards enhancing SpaceClaim to fit into a CAD users workflow.”

The import add-ins are: (1) STL Import for SpaceClaim – Stereolithography STL file import add-in (2) 3DS Import for SpaceClaim – 3D Studio 3DS file import add-in (3) 3DM Import for SpaceClaim – Rhinoceros/OpenNURBS 3DM file import add-in (4) OBJ Import for SpaceClaim – Wavefront OBJ file import add-in

The export add-ins are: (1) DWG Export for SpaceClaim – AutoCAD DWG file export add-in (2) DXF Export for SpaceClaim – AutoCAD DXF file export add-in (3) 3DS Export for SpaceClaim – 3D Studio 3DS file export add-in (4) 3DM Export for SpaceClaim – Rhinoceros/OpenNURBS 3DM file export add-in (5) OBJ Export for SpaceClaim – Wavefront file export add-in

The add-ins are priced at 195 EUR each and are available as fully functional 10 day/run trials. The software comes with detailed documentation in the form of a compiled HTML help file which contains a step-by-step tutorial to get the end user started in the shortest possible time.

Detailed information about these add-ins and trial downloads can be found at http://www.sycode.com/products/index.htm. 

About SpaceClaim

SpaceClaim Corporation is a privately held company which provides a breakthrough 3D design solution that enhances engineers’ and designers’ productivity by empowering them to create, contribute to, and share designs in a 3D digital form. Their flagship product, SpaceClaim Professional 2007+ puts intuitive 3D at the fingertips of engineers and is ideal to quickly develop new concepts, modify designs for review, improve manufacturing, and faster analysis, or reuse designs for faster-time-to-market.

About SYCODE

SYCODE develops cutting-edge software solutions for Computer Aided Design (CAD). These solutions are in the form of standalone applications or plug-ins that work inside major CAD systems such as AutoCAD, Autodesk Inventor, Autodesk 3D Studio MAX, Autodesk VIZ, Autodesk Maya, SolidWorks, Solid Edge, SpaceClaim, Rhinoceros, Alibre Design, IntelliCAD, etc.

SYCODE also designs, develops and implements customized software solutions for companies worldwide. The customized solution may be a standalone application working closely with the client’s existing CAD application or a plug-in to the CAD application.

Originally posted 2008-01-13 00:25:59. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

NEW KUBOTEK SOFTWARE VALIDATES AND COMPARES 3D CAD MODELS
Marlborough, MA – Kubotek USA today introduced Kubotek Validation ToolTM which assures manufactures that two revisions of the same CAD model, which visually appear the same, truly are geometrically identical. This product performs a critical test for manufacturers who rely on the 3D model as the product specification. Adding this…

HUSCO Inaugurates Its R&D And Manufacturing Centre In India
New Delhi: HUSCO International, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of hydraulic and electrohydraulic controls for construction, industrial, automotive and agricultural equipment, announced the commencement of operations at their R D and manufacturing facility in India located in the Talegaon Industrial Park near Pune; the first phase of their substantial…

Call for entries in CoCreate’s worldwide annual design competition
FORT COLLINS, Colo., and SINDELFINGEN, Germany — CoCreate Software, Inc., a leading provider of 3rd generation PLM software applications for high-tech electronics and machinery, today announced its 2008 Design Competition.The theme of this year’s competition is Excellence in Design.

American Axle & Manufacturing forms JV with Sona Koyo
Mumbai:American Axle Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. (AAM), which is traded as AXL on the NYSE, announced that it has formed a joint venture with Sona Koyo Steering Systems Limited (Sona Koyo) of India.The new company, AAM Sona Axle Private Limited (AAM Sona Axle), will manufacture and sell light truck,…

Originally posted 2007-11-02 09:19:47. Republished by Blog Post Promoter