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Post by the_viffer on Mar 13, 2006 14:43:12 GMT
I've some steel plate work to make. (In the form of some platework for a 5" steam loco, possibly a bogie frame and a body for one or two electric locos).
Being lazy I'm wondering about getting it laser or water jet cut. I'd value people's comments and suggested suppliers. Oh and cost guidance would be great.
If any one knows how I can easily convert a proper paper drawing, ie not a sketch, to a *.DXF using cheap or free software that'd also be magnificent.
Cheers!
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waggy
Statesman
Posts: 747
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Post by waggy on Mar 13, 2006 17:36:42 GMT
Dear t_v
On the 8th Jan this year Steve W started a thread on this subject.
I've seen frames cut by this method, superb is the only description! The two plates weren't cut as a pair, they were done individually, put them together and hold them to a window or other light source and you can see they are exactly the same.
As an aside, I was shown a cubed valve block recently that had the oil ways jet cut. The passage turned at three points and was angled within the block. To drill this would have meant cross drilling the block and inserting blanking plugs to close the unwanted holes. The jet was mounted on a piece of kit very much like an endoscope, the jet being pointed in whatever direction required. No blanks required! The block was a test piece in aluminium, I'm told that a crankshaft can now have oilways cut using no cross drilling at all.
Can't help with the software question, bit above me!!
Regards,
Waggy.
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Post by Chris Kelland on Mar 13, 2006 17:40:04 GMT
Hi Viffer, March issue of MEW has an article on the Internet. The Scan2Cad website is mentioned, as is a free trial copy. www.softcover.comI have TurboCad, but I still can't figure it out! If I smoked I'd be using the back of a fag packet. Chris. |
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Post by havoc on Mar 13, 2006 18:07:16 GMT
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Post by the_viffer on Mar 13, 2006 19:39:45 GMT
Dear t_v On the 8th Jan this year Steve W started a thread on this subject. Waggy. Sounds like a polite Northern rtfm to me waggy |
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Post by Steve M. W on Mar 14, 2006 9:23:57 GMT
Hi Viffer We had Malcolm High from Model Engineers Laser to our club who gave us a very informative talk on laser cutting. He has over 1000 parts for model engineers on his data base, and will produce what you want from a sketch, cad drawing, plan or a fag packet. I was amazed just what they can do and how accurate it is. A neat trick is that he draws little extras tagged into the waste so you get that thrown in. Contact details www.modelengineerslaser.co.uk phone 01302 721611 I have no connection only impressed at his talk; a lot of time can be saved when you work more than full time like me. On the subject of Turbocad I have version 10 and have just purchased a tutorial CD which so far has been a great help. Steve |
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Post by Steve M. W on Mar 14, 2006 20:11:02 GMT
Just found out the link to www.modelengineerslaser.co.uk is not working but Malcolm says it will be back on line within the next 48 hours ( not his fault) Steve |
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Post by the_viffer on Mar 15, 2006 10:12:10 GMT
Thanks Steve. Very useful source of info. Once the site is up and running and I've got some drawings sorted I'll give him a call.
Cheers!
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Post by steamjohn248 on Mar 15, 2006 22:58:39 GMT
Viffer
We have just placed an order for all the components for a 1/3rd scale L and B 2-6-2 , water or laser cut. I you are interested on costs I could give you some comparisons, tanks cab frames stretchers Buffer beams motion brake gear etc.
Steamjohn
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Post by 3405jimmy on Mar 16, 2006 14:47:39 GMT
Viffer,
I have used Malcolm and he gives an excellent competitive service. You also might consider laserframes.co.uk. They have a further tool in the arsenal which is CNC folding. They can CNC fold your plates for you, using their software. The software makes the correct bend allowance etc., to be included in the flat development so their folder can bend it up.
The other good thing is if your supplied drawings as standard 2D, 3 view elevations, their software can flatten it all out for cutting prior to bending. Might be helpful for your electric boxes.
I was struggling with Solidworks to produce the necessary drawings in 3D for a cowcatcher; Solidworks can also flatten folded objects for cutting. But Steve told me to send standard 2D AutoCAD drawings and he would do the rest. Quite a boon as I am still on the nursery slopes as far as Solidworks goes.
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