Hi All
I have uploaded a group of screenshots to my album of the main casting being cut from solid with AutoCAD, If you are new to solid models they are numbered and you can see how the casting model is developed.
The process used was to extrude a tool (a 3d solid Shape) then use that to cut away (Subtract command) unwanted areas. Other features like the gear housing on the side and the various bosses were made separately as solids then attached with the union command. internal and external corners were shaped with the fillet command.
Having the plan in the background to sketch over is a great help, This is the first time I have tried this on a 3D. model, normally I just use it for building floor plans. A really great way to do it.
The model has been thickened for casting with Epoxy concrete.
The table support frame is next, I think that can be done in epoxy casting too, once that is done I will do the rest of the parts in steel. rounding off the inch sizes in the original plans to metric sizes.
The Shaper should be able to cut its own T slot table!
Would anyone like to draw some of the mechanical parts and share the design load?
I will post the DXF and DWG files on Mediafire for downloading when the design is debugged.
Regards
John

Transparent view showing the internal voids

Edited By John McNamara on 02/11/2013 16:12:34
Edited By John McNamara on 02/11/2013 16:19:08