Joules

Hi guys, here's a model beam engine I am drawing up on my cad system. It is a Model Engineer beam engine. Every part is modeled in 3D ( I have some nice rotating animations to show it off) so I can scale the patterns to what ever size I want. Normally smaller than intended, as I make the parts on Taig mill/lathes, so the largest component can only be about 5" (the flywheel). The picture here is a work in progress, it helps keep my hand in, when paid work is running slack. I have somewhere in the region of 80hrs in the model drawing so far. For me the beauty of doing things this way, is I know every part will fit. Unlike the old line drawings where errors crept in, in 3D, you can see if a dimension is out, or a hole in the wrong place. I have many drawings now in my collection, including some model aircraft, for a US customer. These have been laser cut and the prototypes now flying. Unfortunatly I can't show them, as they may be destined for kits... So I also offer a confidential sevice when needed. I also have some parts for the Hornet (micro electric helicopter) on the drawing board.

Joules

Attached Images

CWB Beam Engine wsf.jpg (61.6 KB, 116 views)

wonwinglo

How fantastic technology is Joules,when applied to models like this it puts a whole new dimension on things,is CAD difficult to grasp ? many say that it is,I understand that there is a new system being developed for the man in the street.
A friend who is a draughtsman tells me that you just never see a drawing board in sight these days,he slaves away in front of a screen all day designing components for the motor industry.
Nice beam engine,I build these in Meccano as demonstration pieces.

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www.wonwinglo.scale-models.net/

Joules

Hi Wonwinglo, I draw many more models these days, than I did when I had a drawing board. CAD is fairly easy to get to grips with, if you are already reasonable at drawing, and confident with computer drawing packages. All my 2D stuff, for plotting and laser cutting is done in CorelDraw. That is pretty cheap, for older versions, like I use. The CAD software I use is called Rhino, and has taken me a good two years, to learn to the level of profficiency seen in the beam engine. You shouldn't have much problem if you have been brought up on Meccano, I'm a Lego man, myself... Turbocad is a good starting point, for both 2D and 3D work. I started with that package, and the current package is reasonably priced, if you stay away from the Pro version.

Joules

wonwinglo

Thanks Joules for the inspiration,I will keep my eyes open for those software packages,Coral draw seems very popular and looks versatile.
When I get around to it I will potograph some of my Meccano models,I have a nice Showmans engine and a shunting loco.

__________________
'And there I was oil on my goggles from a broken pipe,then I looked at the altimeter,all I could see was the makers name !'
www.wonwinglo.scale-models.net/