Posted: 3/23/2010 8:28:05 PM EDT
|
I've been talking to a machinist that my friend has done a lot of work with, and im trying to get some gun parts made up.
Now I've already done the "hard" part, measuring and designing the part. I've been doing 3D modeling for a decade now and have lots of experience with doing measuring and cutting metal parts, as well as designing things. This IS something I am trying to do as a career so this is kind of my first step. The part im trying to do is a USC to UMP stock block. an HDPS stock block plus folding stock is going to be over a grand by the time the export costs are figured in 
I hear that Solid works is supposedly the "gold standard" but I looked into it, and the basic version costs 4 grand. Before I even THINK about spending that kind of cash on a program, I want to be a little more familiar with CAD and CNC programs. I understand that the machine shop will still need to mess around with the cutter paths and all that stuff. I tried to make a set of technical drawings for him to look at, but I guess they are not quite up to industry standards 
So what are some good FREE CNC/CAD programs that would let me make a CAD model and have it go into a CNC machine? 
|
|
Quoted:
I am a CNC Programmer we use Solidworks and Unigraphics. Solidworks is pretty good but UG sucks ass. You may want to check into Solidpart and Mastercam. Solidpart and Mastercam, I will add those to the list of programs to look into. Getting a real feasible CNC model will cut the time (and cost) by a HUGE factor, since it should only take a few minutes per "side" to cut out on the CNC. They have a 5-Axis CNC and their time is something like $100/hour (actually less than I thought it would be) which would be MOSTLY programming time. |
|
CAM wise you are going to be severely limited on 'free.' You will have to find the post processors that go with the machine and that will be the severely limiting part. check out cnczone.com seems iirc there was a free cam/cad solution but it's been a while since i've looked at it and don't recall many details. |
|
Really all I NEED is something that would act like a set of 3D "Blueprints" or technical drawings.
Something that could be imported INTO Solidworks. All I want is to get it to the point where the measurements are in the computer in a form they can use. Does that make a little more sense?
Like I said, this is the first step in this field for me, so im not really sure WTF I need to do
|
|
Quoted:
Wonder if sketchup will do what you need? Never heard of it, but I'll put it on the list of stuff to look into 
For some more info my dad gave me a copy of AutoCad-Lite 2002 and I tried messing around with it. I was even able to import stuff from the 3D program I use (Blender) and mess around with it, but It only seemed to really do 2D drawings... |
|
Quoted:
Check your IM Done
Quoted:
BobCAM is free I think. We use Inventor exclusively for modeling, then use the models in FeatureCAM to generate NC code and toolpaths. If you already have the dimensions you need or want, it's possible to draw your parts in their CAM software. All the dimensions I need/want area already taken and in a 3D model. I just need to put them in a form that the machinist can use, rather than using paper technical drawings. I already made a set of technical drawings for him to look at, and he can make it out of them, but its gonna cut a LOT of time off if it can go right into a computer rather than from computer to paper, back to computer. ETA Im gonna try out this Bobcad see what its like... |
|
Quoted:
Solidworks is sweet when you get the hang of it. So many possibilities. I think they have trials maybe. Rhino 3d was another that was ok if i remember right and they do have a free trial. I actually used Rhino 3D back in the day in High school (a little bit anyway)..... Is it really "able" to do CAD work? Last time I used it I thought it was similar to Blender, using polygons to make "shapes" rather than "curves".... Like: A cylinder in Blender is a 32 (or whatever you want) sided polygon... When a CNC machine (or cad software) see's this, it looks like a 32 sided polygon, not a cylinder.... Thats the only thing limiting me right now. I could make a basic shape in Blender and cut out portions in some other CAD program even, but it cant do curves or circular cutouts...
I have a scholarship that I can "cash out" and get the original money from, it would completely cover Solidworks "Basic". All the built up interest would go into an RRSP.... But im not cashing it out and eliminating the possibility of going to school, unless I'm 110% sure its going to be worth it. |
Doesn't look like it. This is a screen cap of all the files it can export as.
ETA Posted some 3D pics of what I have. I dont care if this info gets out, since im not making it to be sold, just one for me. Fullsize pics at the bottom. 
Here is an overall "wireframe" so you can get a look at how its built. ETA some measurements: Overall Width: 1.596" (or 1.6") Overall height (to top of block peak): 2.587" The 45 degree "cone" cutout diameter is: 0.879" Length of the "outer" back portion (with AR15 buffer tube hole): 0.787" Length of inner front part: 1.185" The large hole in the back is for an AR15 buffer tube. It is 1-1/8th inch diameter. Hope that gives a better idea of dimension. 
|
|
SolidWorks and Mastercam. My boss who is in the unrelated field of commercial construction just bought two Haas CNC machines a VF1 and a VF2 on a whim and asked me to get them up and running and then to operate them. Now we have to decide what we're going to produce with them.
While I have been studying casually about CNC machines and CAD/CAM and I'm confident that I can accomplish this, I am for all intents, starting from scratch. We received Mastercam versions 8.1 and 10 with them and I was just given a complete unopened box of SolidWorks Educational Edition 2005-2006 but have yet to figure out how to activate it, the process stated within does not work. If anyone has any insight regarding this I love to hear it. 
BTW, there are several interesting tutorial series of SolidWorks and Mastercam available on YouTube. 
|
|
Parametric modeling programs, usually called CAD, like Solidworks are used primarily to generate models and technical drawings. NC machine code is generated by CAM software, either by a post processor program like mastercam, or a plugin for CAD software that does the same thing. The tradeoff with a plugin is that, although it's all tightly integrated, they tend to be a little more limited. I haven't looked at prices on that sort of thing in a while, but I would expect that something like Mastercam would run a couple grand, depending on what sort of tools you want it to run.
The best bang for your buck would be to have a draftsman do this for you. Failing that, consider Alibre . It has the option of an integrated CAM processor that will work with the native Alibre files. The attractive thing is that it's pretty affordable compared to Inventor/Solidworks. Do you really need CNC though? How many do you need? Is the geometry really that complex? Edit- looking at the models you posted, nothing in them can't be done manually. CNC is unnecessary unless you plan on making more then a handful, or your tolerances are super tight. |
|
Quoted:
you have DXF and STL export on the first three lines. Almost all CAM/CAD programs can pull the geometry from those formats. Shit I totally missed the STL on that list. I knew it had DXF, I just didn't know how useable it was. Well im gonna talk to the machinist and see what he says about this. It could cut the design time down quite a bit for him. |
|
Quoted: I've been talking to a machinist that my friend has done a lot of work with, and im trying to get some gun parts made up. Now I've already done the "hard" part, measuring and designing the part. I've been doing 3D modeling for a decade now and have lots of experience with doing measuring and cutting metal parts, as well as designing things. This IS something I am trying to do as a career so this is kind of my first step. The part im trying to do is a USC to UMP stock block. an HDPS stock block plus folding stock is going to be over a grand by the time the export costs are figured in I hear that Solid works is supposedly the "gold standard" but I looked into it, and the basic version costs 4 grand. Before I even THINK about spending that kind of cash on a program, I want to be a little more familiar with CAD and CNC programs. I understand that the machine shop will still need to mess around with the cutter paths and all that stuff. I tried to make a set of technical drawings for him to look at, but I guess they are not quite up to industry standards So what are some good FREE CNC/CAD programs that would let me make a CAD model and have it go into a CNC machine? A new reasonable priced solution is in the works. It doesn't use the $200 stock ether. This push button stock- |
|
Quoted:
Parametric modeling programs, usually called CAD, like Solidworks are used primarily to generate models and technical drawings. NC machine code is generated by CAM software, either by a post processor program like mastercam, or a plugin for CAD software that does the same thing. The tradeoff with a plugin is that, although it's all tightly integrated, they tend to be a little more limited. I haven't looked at prices on that sort of thing in a while, but I would expect that something like Mastercam would run a couple grand, depending on what sort of tools you want it to run. The best bang for your buck would be to have a draftsman do this for you. Failing that, consider Alibre . It has the option of an integrated CAM processor that will work with the native Alibre files. The attractive thing is that it's pretty affordable compared to Inventor/Solidworks. Do you really need CNC though? How many do you need? Is the geometry really that complex? I need. 1. I am trying to do this for 2 reasons... first off, to have a part made that I designed by myself. Second off, is to not have to pay 1000 dollars for the part to get exported from the USA. I posted some pics of the parts so you guys can get a better idea at what im trying to do... The only real "hard" part is the relief cutout for the Bolt. |
|
Quoted:
I need. 1. I am trying to do this for 2 reasons... first off, to have a part made that I designed by myself. Second off, is to not have to pay 1000 dollars for the part to get exported from the USA. I posted some pics of the parts so you guys can get a better idea at what im trying to do... The only real "hard" part is the relief cutout for the Bolt. Take a look at http://www.shapeways.com/ . They can do a rapid prototype out of a type of sintered stainless/bronze metal. It's not super duper strong, somewhere between cast zinc and aluminum, so probably alright for this part. It's a little expensive, $10/cm^3, but it's fast, international and will work with the .stl file you can create. You just upload the .stl and they do the rest and ship it off to you. If you get a little tricky with shelling out the solid portions of the model you can really cut the material use down and save money. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
I need. 1. I am trying to do this for 2 reasons... first off, to have a part made that I designed by myself. Second off, is to not have to pay 1000 dollars for the part to get exported from the USA. I posted some pics of the parts so you guys can get a better idea at what im trying to do... The only real "hard" part is the relief cutout for the Bolt. Take a look at http://www.shapeways.com/ . They can do a rapid prototype out of a type of sintered stainless/bronze metal. It's not super duper strong, somewhere between cast zinc and aluminum, so probably alright for this part. It's a little expensive, $10/cm^3, but it's fast, international and will work with the .stl file you can create. You just upload the .stl and they do the rest and ship it off to you. If you get a little tricky with shelling out the solid portions of the model you can really cut the material use down and save money. Very interesting. I was thinking about using the file I had to make a 2-part plaster mold, and then get it made out of cast aluminum (plaster mold would be used to make a Wax positive). This is definitely a fallback plan though. Thanks for the link!
|
|
Here's a link I bookmarked years ago. Never tried it myself. Worth a looking at.
eMachineShop |
|
For that kind of cash, you would be well advised to build a mill and learn. You could build a CNC mill capable of machining an AR15 lower for 1k.
I use EMC(FREE!) to run a mill. I use a half ass collection of python and perl to run it from 'CAMExpert' to run it. |
|
Quoted:
BobCAM is free I think. We use Inventor exclusively for modeling, then use the models in FeatureCAM to generate NC code and toolpaths. If you already have the dimensions you need or want, it's possible to draw your parts in their CAM software. Bobcam sucks the royal ass. I hate that program, I've used it. It sucks. I have my own machines. DO NOT WANT. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Check your IM Done
Quoted:
BobCAM is free I think. We use Inventor exclusively for modeling, then use the models in FeatureCAM to generate NC code and toolpaths. If you already have the dimensions you need or want, it's possible to draw your parts in their CAM software. All the dimensions I need/want area already taken and in a 3D model. I just need to put them in a form that the machinist can use, rather than using paper technical drawings. I already made a set of technical drawings for him to look at, and he can make it out of them, but its gonna cut a LOT of time off if it can go right into a computer rather than from computer to paper, back to computer. ETA Im gonna try out this Bobcad see what its like... Negatory ghostrider, the bobcam pattern sucks ass. Try it. You'll be sorry and wish you would have watched 'Hope Floats' instead. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Check your IM Done
Quoted:
BobCAM is free I think. We use Inventor exclusively for modeling, then use the models in FeatureCAM to generate NC code and toolpaths. If you already have the dimensions you need or want, it's possible to draw your parts in their CAM software. All the dimensions I need/want area already taken and in a 3D model. I just need to put them in a form that the machinist can use, rather than using paper technical drawings. I already made a set of technical drawings for him to look at, and he can make it out of them, but its gonna cut a LOT of time off if it can go right into a computer rather than from computer to paper, back to computer. ETA Im gonna try out this Bobcad see what its like... Negatory ghostrider, the bobcam pattern sucks ass. Try it. You'll be sorry and wish you would have watched 'Hope Floats' instead. I imported the model into it, but thats about as far as I got
To be fair, it took a few weeks to learn the general layouts and controls of Blender as well... In any case it didn't cost anything to try. ETA I emailed the machinist to see if he can mess around with the STL file format, we will see what he says tomorrow. May not have to mess around with CAD programs at this time at all. |
|
Quoted:
Here's a link I bookmarked years ago. Never tried it myself. Worth a looking at. eMachineShop I was going to suggest the same thing. They have free software for designing parts and they will make anything you design in their software. It's pricey to make just one part though. I've used the software, and found it to be a bit of a pain in the ass. Then again I have zero experience with this sort of thing. |