Re: Vectorcam, bobcad, rhino3D, which one??

Message: 17
Date: Mon, 28 May 2001 11:53:54 -0600
From: "Smoke" <gordonr@...>
Subject: Re: Re: Vectorcam, bobcad, rhino3D, which one??

The answert to your questiondepends partly on how complex the profiled
blades are.

[I'd agree with that. I don't see the main problem being Rhino, though, but
being able to reach the inner surfaces with a toolbit. This is the sort of
thing that can require 5-axis milling to do correctly.]

If a single blade can be drawn fairly easily, then its very simple to copy
the sigle blade as many times as required and "attach" them to a hub.

Smoke

[The way I'd approach it would be to establish a center point, then create
a solid (closed) hub, then model a single blade the right distance from the
center and in the correct relationship to the hub. Make sure it's a closed
(solid) polysurface too (you can check this with the Enaked command) . Then
use the Arraypolar command, picking the center point and specifying the
desired number of blades, including the one you've drawn. It should then be
possible to use the Boolean Union (Bu) command to join them into a single
unit.]

>How easy is it to draw rotors with profiled blades that must be cut on a
>fourth axis in Rhino3D etc? It's obviously got a lot to do with skill in
>using the program but is it approaching impossible or pretty simple?
>
>John. H

[As I said, the Rhino part's not that hard, but there might be difficulties
in constructing an accurate toolpath in your CAM program. Which one will
you be using? Rhino will make a good digital model, but it has no
toolpath-construction features.]

>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "tauseef" <alieron@...>
>To: <CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com>
>Sent: Monday, May 28, 2001 7:59 AM
>Subject: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: Vectorcam, bobcad, rhino3D, which one??
>
>
>> Hi Mike,
>> thanks! Rhino does seem straight forward and it looks nice too, an
>> added benifit. What CAM package do you use to convert the drawing you
>> make in Rhino3D. I am tring out the demo right now. I am a full time
>> optometry student so the $195 price tag is really inviting right now!

[Does $175 sound even more inviting?]

>> I can wait a bit as I will be a student for one more year but am
>> leaning toward Rhino for my 2.5 and 3D drawings already. TurboCAD 3D
>> is another option (I guess).
>> thanks
>> tauseef

[I'm not very familiar with TurboCad 3d, but every program has a learning
curve. If you don't think a program is going to be sufficient for your
needs, at least in the short term, it's hard to justify spending a whole
lot of time mastering it, if your time's worth anything at all. Just my
opinion, I guess...]

>>
>> --- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@y..., "Mike Phillips" <mikep_95133@y...> wrote:
>> > I've used Rhino for a few months now. It's Excellent!
>> >
>> > Mike
>> >
>> > --- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@y..., "tauseef" <alieron@h...> wrote:
>> > > Hey guys (John, Tom, and Paolo + any others),
>> > > I am so sorry that I did not respond to your letters before! I
>> was
>> > > just doing a search on these CAD/CAM packages again and ran
>> across
>> > > these posts!! Sorry! To answer your question of what I plan to
>> make
>> > I
>> > > would say things like 3D name plates, parts for my radio control
>> > > helicopters, car and planes (these would really be more 2 1/2D),
>> > some
>> > > jewelery, possibly "artwork," business card holder for my
>> brothers
>> > > and sisters and other silly things like that. Answering that
>> > question
>> > > is really pretty hard (even though I know its very important). I
>> > love
>> > > this machining stuff and the 3D CAD/CAM package would really be
>> more
>> > > of a luxuary as I don't know how much 3Ding I truely would be do
>> > > considering the time involved in drawing out a 3D object.
>> Machining
>> > > is also a hobby for me and not my profession so I don't need the
>> > real
>> > > high-end stuff. I downloaded Rhino3D today and must say for the
>> 30
>> > > min I have spent on it, I am impressed! Its seems very straight
>> > > forward. I also have the demo of vectorcam but find it quite hard
>> to
>> > > work with. Millwizard is also very impressive and I can't even
>> > > imagine how wonderful the higher end CAM packages must be! Would
>> a
>> > > combination of TurboCAD and Millwizard be a consideration?
>> > > thank you guys again for your input and I hope to answer much
>> > quicker
>> > > next time :)
>> > > tauseef

[If TurboCad 3d can produce a surfaced DXF. STL or 3ds file, then
MillWizard should work. What machine will you be running these toolpaths
on?]

www.computersculpture.com





Andrew Werby - United Artworks
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