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Esprit Model . Thunder Power RC . Real Raptors

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CAD - Engineering - Technical > Learning Solidworks
 
 
ScotY
Senior Heliman
Location: Honolulu, HI

Well, with a lot of free time on my hands, I've decided I want to teach myself how to use a CAD program. I've chosen Solidworks and bought a newbie book titled "Learning Solidworks."

My goal is to be able to draw a simple helicopter frame....carbon side plates, bearing blocks...typical stuff. So far, I've done some of the simple examples in the book and things are going okay.

What I'm worried about is "learning the wrong way" and not being able to translate a drawing into a real piece. At this point, I'm trying simply to draw the side frames. Are there any pitfalls I should know about? What is the easiest way to draw a flat plate side frame?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. This program is already taxing my brain cells, so please try to keep it simple.

Thanks!
11-12-2004 Over year old.
 
 
ScotY
Senior Heliman
Location: Honolulu, HI

Thanks for the input. I need to get further along in the book as there are quite a few questions I have but don't really know how to even ask them.

One thing that comes to mind now...I've read (somewhere in the forums) that your drawing must be done "right" to minimize the work the machinist must do to the file prior to cutting the material. This sounds like a simple question with a complex answer...what is meant by doing the drawing "right?"
11-12-2004 Over year old.
 
 
golfietis
Heliman
Location: Kaunas, Lithuania

First of all, to make a proper part, you need always to make a fully defined sketch - thats mean`s that skech must bee black color, not blue. Second thing - SW has a lot of more functions besides extrude... Third thing is that in assembly you have to use proper mates if you want your project work well....

Best of all try to do SW tutorials - they are very helpfull.....
11-13-2004 Over year old.
 
 
Topher
Veteran
Location: Grosse Ile, Michigan

ya what gregory said. Another good part about CAD programs thse days is they all have some type of CAM(computer aided manufacturing/machining) format that drawings can be saved in. Just draw what you want and save it as what ever type of file the machinist wants(usually parasolid or ing) and the can do the rest.

Also in all the programs I have learned I have found it best to not use a book. It only slows you down. I started learning solid works about a 2 months ago and I can draw anything from a simple side plate all the way to helical gears. So I would suggest just diving in and experiment with every function the program has to offer. And remember that it comes with Help software. If your stuck and your book cant tell you what to do then refer to that. It usually helps.


And BTW i designed some side frames for my Eco 8 in solid works. You can pick some up off of the internet for like $40 bucks. But to have them machined would have costed about $150!.
11-13-2004 Over year old.
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
Hockeytown
Veteran
Location: Pontiac, Mi. U.S.A.

Another consideration..............

CAD programs in general live in a 'Perfect World'.

This basically means that whatever dimensions you use, the features are EXACTLY the number you type in. It is always modeled to the Nominal dimension, so if there is any Tolerancing that needs to be taken into account, you will need to allow for that.

This can also be done at the CNC machine, with tool offsets and things like that, but you need to be aware of it if nothing else.

In the age of CNC, CAD programs sending info directly to the cutting programs definately make more accurate products.........but as an earlier post showed, if you need to make a hole to accomidate a 3mm shaft or fastener, you won't want the hole to be exactly 3mm......this will more or less be a 'press fit'.

As golfietis said, there is alot more to SolidWorks than the Extrude function. However, for '2d' side frames, you won't need many more functions than Extrude....but to help out with the 'fit' issues on holes, you may want to expirement with the Hold Wizard.

Using the Hole Wizard, you select the type of fastener you intend to use and the Wizard 'fits' the proper hole for Counterbore, Countersink, Taps, Clearance Holes.....etc. This will add the proper fit conditions for you.

I have been part of the SolidWorks family for 8 years now. Have Fun with it. It certainly does make design enjoyable, and more importantly, it makes changes easy!!!

Enjoy!!!

Darin[color=red]
Hockeytown[/color]
11-13-2004 Over year old.
 
 
pleng1221
Heliman
Location: earth

maybe u need a reference

this is my SH-60 seahawk, maybe wat u really need is a finished works of solidworks heli.
11-21-2004 Over year old.
 
 
charlieflach
New Heliman
Location: Escondido, Ca. USA

Learning SolidWorks

I've been designing all sorts of equipment in SolidWorks for about 7 years and the best books can be found at your SW retailer. They are lessons that build on one another and they are not all that expensive. Our retailer here in San Diego also sponsors learning lunches that are free and if you want a specific area of learning, let them know and when they have enough interested parties, they offer a lunch for learning. I hope that helps.

Charlie Flach
07-16-2007 Over year old.
 
 
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Mikado Modellhubschrauber . GrandRC . CanoMod

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CAD - Engineering - Technical > Learning Solidworks
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