How to learn Solidworks?/3D printer recommendations?
- Thread starter RomeoEG
- Start date
speedmd
10 MW
torqueboards
1 MW
speedmd said:
Ditto!!!! You got solidworks then you got the actual machine shop tools which is a full time job!!! I find it's much easier to let the pro's do it. lol
galp
100 W
Get a book from the library and do few tutorials from it. This is how I started when I was 14 I think. Then you just have to model and model... It's a easy to use software tough.
I found a… "free" version of Solidworks '13, so gonna try that, as it seems to be the industry 'standard' for sending designs off to CNC shops to be milled. I heard Sketchup is good too, and that's free through Google I believe? Both programs can save to the same file format/be used by majority of machine shops?
I plan on getting in to 3D printing soon, so I assume Solidworks/Sketchup would both work for that?
I plan on getting in to 3D printing soon, so I assume Solidworks/Sketchup would both work for that?
torqueboards
1 MW
RomeoEG said:
Most if not all cad files/programs are very similar. You can use solidworks/sketchup for both of them. Autocad is probably the most popular and Solidworks for mechanical components. They all work pretty well. If your not printing any big parts, I'd also recommend the cheaper $199 3D Printers. They're easy, simple and small. Most bigger ones are about $1k or so.
Most CNC shops will accept dxf/dwg or 2d cad files.. sometimes they'll want a pdf with dimensions also. You'll need to buy in bulk because smaller amounts aren't worth their effort since setup and gcode time is what takes majority of the time. Everything after setup is simply removing and inserting a new part.
kfong
100 kW
You can build a 3d printer. We built several CNC machines, info posted on my site. 3d printers are even easier to build, lots of resources on the web. As far as learning Solidworks, plenty of vids on the web. The best way is to just dive in with a project in mind. This gives you focus and a goal to achieve. That being said, learning the software took way longer for me than building the machines. It's worth it, love the satisfaction of making your own stuff. Useful skillset to have as well. It's been an asset for me at my day job.
torqueboards
1 MW
There are a few $199 they might be pre-order or kickstarter campaigns. I want a small one. I'm trying to get one too -- easier to stash than a big one.
spinningmagnets
100 TW
Here's an article on CAD/CAM, and the last section is on 3D printers...If you're not in a hurry, you should be able to put together an iPrusa for under $180.
http://www.electricbike.com/cadcam-the-diy-builders-best-friend/
http://www.electricbike.com/cadcam-the-diy-builders-best-friend/
I used to teach 3DS Max for use in film and video and know Solidworks and Autocad pretty well too. That being said I'd skip over them autocas and solidworks immediately if you're a hobbists. Unless you're trying to get a job Solidworks and Autocad are a pain in the ass.
Sketchup is good for 3dprinting, you'll need the pro version to do anything decent though ant that's $599. Blender is free and pretty good, I tried it for a while but it's not super intuitive. 3ds Max Designer is free if you're a student regardless of major and entire AutoCad suite is $199.00 for students, all you need is a University email to get either from Autodesk.
My favorite 3ds Max (I'm probably biased) is really easy to learn polygon modelling and will export 2d and 3d DWG files That every machine shop I've ever encountered will accept. It is as in my opinion the best application for at home 3D modeling and printing.
Sketchup is good for 3dprinting, you'll need the pro version to do anything decent though ant that's $599. Blender is free and pretty good, I tried it for a while but it's not super intuitive. 3ds Max Designer is free if you're a student regardless of major and entire AutoCad suite is $199.00 for students, all you need is a University email to get either from Autodesk.
My favorite 3ds Max (I'm probably biased) is really easy to learn polygon modelling and will export 2d and 3d DWG files That every machine shop I've ever encountered will accept. It is as in my opinion the best application for at home 3D modeling and printing.
brent
1 W
I personally haven't had a good time using Autodesk's 3DS Max for CAD, it makes designing cool looking models easy but isn't really ideal for precision stuff or complex assemblies. Consider taking a look at Autodesk Inventor.
3D printers: I've built a Prusa I3; $180 is unrealistic, even if you source all your own parts, cheap out, and get only chinese parts off eBay, expect $350+. Getting a quality hot-end and case-hardened linear shafts ( as opposed to drill rods ) will add another $50 ~ $100.
I personally wouldn't recommend building a printer unless that's something that sounds like fun to you. The QU-BD printers sound like a great deal, given that they function as advertised.
3D printers: I've built a Prusa I3; $180 is unrealistic, even if you source all your own parts, cheap out, and get only chinese parts off eBay, expect $350+. Getting a quality hot-end and case-hardened linear shafts ( as opposed to drill rods ) will add another $50 ~ $100.
I personally wouldn't recommend building a printer unless that's something that sounds like fun to you. The QU-BD printers sound like a great deal, given that they function as advertised.
torqueboards
1 MW
riba2233 said:
Like brent mentioned they have the QU-BD and also a new mod-t printer. https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/new-matter-mod-t-a-3d-printer-for-everyone both of them are pretty good. Double check to see if your only able to print in PLA only.. Th eMod-t isn't shipping yet but looks awesome..
bowlofsalad
100 kW
Have you seen http://www.3ders.org/pricecompare/3dprinters/ this list?
Exciting stuff.
Exciting stuff.
bowlofsalad said:
I did see that list… I think this one is the best deal on there
http://www.3ders.org/pricecompare/3dprinters/details.aspx?ID=109
http://www.inventapart.com/rigidbot.php
It is expandable to 'any' size.. the smaller version is 10"x10"x10", the larger one is 16"x12"x10". The main limitation I see with the consumer level 3D printers is a tiny print deck. Not sure the actual print quality compared to other models but yeah, the expandable deck size is very tempting… and pretty cheap, the smaller one is $500, the larger one is $700.
This one looks dope too
http://www.3ders.org/pricecompare/3dprinters/details.aspx?ID=302
bowlofsalad
100 kW
RomeoEG said:
You hit the nail on the head concerning print size. However, there is something to consider, I think. I have no 3d printer experience, but I have read plenty on the subject about things concerning warping parts and struggles with variations in scaffolding for parts. It sounds like some people end up making a sort of hot box for the 3d printer so things don't cool down so rapidly, preventing most of the warping (they say this can still be an issue with large parts printed in PLA). With that in mind, I am thinking that there are pros and cons to weigh in printing size. A warp free large print sounds much better than a warp free small print size with lots of fasteners to worry about.
Print size is a big deal, but I've found some stuff on joining pieces of 3d printed objects together. http://hackaday.com/2014/01/13/fastening-3d-printed-parts/
I was originally imagining something like legos or something similar to dovetail joining you see in wood paired with some type of glue/epoxy (held together with zip ties or similar during glue setting times) for joining pieces. But maybe designing them to connect with bolts might do.
I have a ton of 3d printer questions myself, but I doubt this forum is the best one to ask them. I am not trying to discourage you or anyone from asking questions. I am just curious, does anyone knows of a great 3d printer forum?
torqueboards
1 MW
There are so many 3d printers available now it's crazy. I wonder how they actually find it profitable still. I bought an exact Chinese copy "flash forge creator" as the makerbot. The quality is awesome and much better than expected. It will work perfectly until you literally print way too much and you will need to maintain it by cleaning the extruders if they get jammed and keeping the build level.
The build it yourself kicks are nice but unless you want to build it.. it's usually not worth the hassle. Most people would enjoy it more if you bought one working straight from the box.
Depending on what type of objects you want to print determines if you need a bigger bed and/or smaller items.
The build it yourself kicks are nice but unless you want to build it.. it's usually not worth the hassle. Most people would enjoy it more if you bought one working straight from the box.
Depending on what type of objects you want to print determines if you need a bigger bed and/or smaller items.
brent
1 W
Warping on larger parts isn't too huge of an issue if you have good first layer adhesion and/or a heated bed ( the latter of which the RigidBot lacks ).
I've had success using cyanoacrylate superglues on PLA, so slicing up a big model and printing it in pieces to be glued together later is pretty trivial, albeit not always the most aesthetically pleasing.
In terms of build volume, you'd probably be able to fit 90% of prints into a 100mm x 100mm x 100mm sized printer; the biggest advantage of bigger printers is really just the ability to print multiple parts in parallel.
No idea about 3D printer forums, but I've worked pretty extensively with a couple different printers and can probably try and answer questions.
I've had success using cyanoacrylate superglues on PLA, so slicing up a big model and printing it in pieces to be glued together later is pretty trivial, albeit not always the most aesthetically pleasing.
In terms of build volume, you'd probably be able to fit 90% of prints into a 100mm x 100mm x 100mm sized printer; the biggest advantage of bigger printers is really just the ability to print multiple parts in parallel.
No idea about 3D printer forums, but I've worked pretty extensively with a couple different printers and can probably try and answer questions.
Here is my FlashForge Dreamer printing some battery boxes this morning. The Dreamer is a very well made machine and prints ABS like a champ it also comes with some additional parts to aid in cooling if you're into PLA. FlashForge printers have a really good print quality to price ratio and I highly recommend them.
torqueboards
1 MW
Awesome voodoo. That flash forge dreamer is pretty awesome.. That specific model wasn't around when I bought my dual extruder one.. What did you pay for that?
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