Member postings for David Jupp

Brian,

Yes Atom3D (as with all Alibre software) is a perpetual licence. The charge for 12 months of updates is entirely optional. If you choose not to purchase updates, you remain on the version initially purchased. Of course radical changes to future versions of Windows might mean that an older version may not work on a new computer, but that is a risk with any software.

Atom3D can export DXF from its 2D Drawings workspace.

Atom3D is perfectly capable of dimensioning drawings, I can't comment on why a user might choose to do that step in another software package.

Clear concise introduction, be that speech or text.

No music!

Music wire springs are typically stress relieved after forming, and a domestic oven can be hot enough for that. The stress relief can reduce chances of breakage in service.

A domestic oven won't be hot enough to temper steel (i.e. controlled softening after hardening).

'Heat Treatment' covers a variety of processes, and the names are often used somewhat loosely, which can confuse.

3D CAD is pretty taxing on the graphics adapter. It may be that an upgrade there would be helpful. Display size can make a big difference, more pixels to manage means more work for the graphics adapter.

Before any hardware upgrade, you might be able to get a useful performance boost by -> ensure Win10 is fully updated, ensure you have latest driver for the graphics adapter, then check to see if Win10 offers 'Hardware accelerated graphics scheduling' - it's only available in fairly recent Win10 builds, and IF your graphics adapter and driver has the capability.  Enable it if it is available.

Check the settings for the Nvidia card - make sure it's set for 'performance' rather then power saving.

RAM - that all depends on how large/complex your designs are, and if you are running other software at the same time. 12GB may be plenty, or you may need more

Edited By David Jupp on 28/07/2021 11:53:25

HRc 44-48 corresponds approximately (you'll get different figures from different sets of tables) to 415-445 Brinell, 440-475 VPN, or a tensile strength of roughly 94-104 Tsi, 1455-1590 MPa. Don't expect these different units to be exactly equivalent - they are just indicative.

Steve,

I note that you mention difficulty printing from the 2D workspace in Atom3D. It might be worth detailing your issues to Alibre or Mintronics support - printing shouldn't be problematic, and I know of a number of issues that have been resolved either by simple fixes, or by advice on how to get the best from the software.

I have a commercial connection, so won't give a recommendation for a particular CAD package.

I would suggest that you try before you buy, both the software itself and look at training materials and any other available resources (user forum, help documents, etc.)

You may well find that some packages are a more natural fit than others for the way your mind works.

If using Polycarbonate for guards, never use acetone for cleaning. It leads to severe stress cracking.

MeshCAM is aimed very much at ease of use. In trying to keep things simple, maybe the explanation is sometimes a bit thin.

Rob at MeshCAM is pretty helpful if you send queries to him at the support address given on the MeshCAM web site.

I believe that 'unified' means the software will do its best to combine whatever finishing strategies are appropriate for the part.

Edited By David Jupp on 10/04/2021 11:14:30

Yes - that's normal for sites without a security certificate.

At least one other steel producer in Sheffield had their own trade names for standard 'EN' steels.

I have a (1950's) handbook from another steel supplier (not Sheffield) - their '...case' product is EN32.

The name may (or may not) give a clue. 'Sil...' could refer to Silicon, or maybe to the name of the manufacturer, or something else entirely.

Do you know the original manufacturer? What is the application? Do you have any original parts available?

It's a calibration standard for the Brinell hardness test. Used to verify that the test device / microscope / operator are giving sensible results.

The ID of the standard, and the square used will be recorded in the calibration log.

Potentially, with an extra pole on the changeover switch you can tell the VFD which set of motor parameters to use to match the selected motor. Many VFD's can store at least 2 sets of parameters...

Take a look at thread

Learning CAD with Alibre Atom3D | Model Engineer (model-engineer.co.uk)

and perhaps also

Alibre Atom3D - Processes (model-engineer.co.uk)

Atom3D is one of several options you could consider.

Before you invest lots of your time into any one software choice, think about what you might want to do in the future - is it important to be able to produce 2D drawings of your 3D designs? Will you be working with Assemblies or just Parts? Check that your future needs are catered for.

Take a look at learning and support options - tutorials, videos, is there an active user forum. This will be particularly important for free/inexpensive options.

Some of the less used systems have approaches to modelling that are quite different from the more mainstream products - not necessarily 'bad' or 'wrong' - but there might be less people who are able to assist you with problems.

Whatever option you go for - do take the time to work through the basic level tutorials. If you don't you'll probably trip up when you try to model something real.

I can't comment specifically on FreeCAD, but generally in 3D CAD each part should be in it's own file. The file will include the material used, so mass can be derived (both for the part and later for the assembly it is used in).

Parts are combined into Assemblies. The assembly can allow movement of mechanisms etc. to be simulated.

Multiple levels of sub-assemblies can be combined for complex designs.

2D Drawings can be generated (almost automatically) from parts or from assemblies. Your drawing can be arranged however you wish - lots on one sheet, one part per sheet, ....

There are specialised exceptions to the general rule, supported in some systems.

3D CAD systems have tools to allow relationships between parts that combine together, also interference checking tools.

Edited By David Jupp on 17/02/2021 09:10:31

"ABEC 11" is a branding. The ABEC scale stops a 9.

I'd have thought the clearance (often shown with C and a digit) of the bearing might be as least as important as the tolerance rating, though there will be some inter-relation, difficult to get super tight clearances if the tolerance limit for the parts is wide.

If you plan to run the motor much below normal speed for extended periods, consider motor cooling.

The built in motor fan is less effective at lower motor speed.

The VFD may deliberately limit it's output to effectively de-rate the motor when speed drops in order to protect the windings (that might be a user selectable option), it's also possible to add an external fan to the motor to force cool it regardless of speed.

There are specialised solutions/chemicals available for different purposes. You can get a long way with a general detergent or de-greaser solution.

Don't use flammables unless you known exactly what you are doing, and take the appropriate precautions.

Interesting discussion about it on Denford forum, with no absolute conclusion, but a link to drawing of possible matching backplate.

Orac spindle nose