Any good CAD program's

ShaunG

ShaunG

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As some of you may know a few forumites are working on building some large nmea repeater displays. As a part of this we (me) are working on a housing to have made..I have been entering into the wonderful world of CAD so that we can have the design made

I have been using google sketch up and have just started using 123d by autocad which is a step up In the learning curve..does anybody have any reccomendations for a free/cheap alternative that is better before I embark on the learning curve?

Essentially we need to design a pretty, waterproof box to hold the electronics and screen that we would all be proud on our boats...the aim is to make this as professional as possible

Thanks in advance
 
If you're planning to put it in a metal case, formed from sheet, then fine - draw one up with CAD - or even pencil and paper. Any decent sheet metal shop will be able to make it for you, and probably arrange painting ad printing too. You will have to shop around for the best prices - unless any of you have prior experience and a "tame" metalworker in tow.

On the other hand, if you want a pretty plastic box - after all, they're sooo cheal, aren't they - then as Nigel says, check through all the catalogues until you find one you like. Most of the manufacturers offer a customisation service including drilling holes, painting and printing - provided you want a few of them. If, however, you were thinking of having a case molded to your design - forget it, unless you are prepared to make 100,000s of them! If that is the route you plan to follow - any plaastic molding company will have in-house design shop, so you don't need to draw anything other than a sketch)
 
Download TurboCad 12.5 from the link on this page.

I started with TurboCad 3 many years ago, and then version 6.5 which I found too complex, and after a change of computer I could not install it because I had lost the key. I then found this free version, which is actually easier to use.
 
Thanks Norman....I have thought through the abs plastic route...initial thought was to use 3d printing...i am considering buying one at this point because it looks like a great toy as well as a great way to make small moulds for grp work ( any excuse to justify it really ;))
 
ShaunG said:
...initial thought was to use 3d printing...i am considering buying one at this point because it looks like a great toy as well as a great way to make small moulds for grp work...
Click to expand...

I think you would be disappointed with the results from 3D printing, the resolution is very poor at the moment; much better to get a computer controlled router.
 
ShaunG said:
Thanks Norman....I have thought through the abs plastic route...initial thought was to use 3d printing...i am considering buying one at this point because it looks like a great toy as well as a great way to make small moulds for grp work ( any excuse to justify it really ;))
Click to expand...

OK, so you plan to go down the abs plastic route -

technology is changing, but 3d printing is really only suitable for prototypes and initial models. Most of the plastics used are relatively fragile and the surface finish is not as good as real injection molded parts.

Suggest you discuss your plans with Beechcraft Moldings (assuming they still operate). they have a technique suitable for short run production that doesn't cost the earth (although you might get a bit of a shock at the costs!). They offer a full design service, and are very helpful.

An alternative is the company that forms boxes from sheet abs, milled and heat-formed to the required shape - I think they are called BIM (Boss Industrial Moldings) - but I could be wrong. This can be a cost effective way for relatively small quantities, and the results can look quite attractive. again they offer a full design service.

Another route is to talk to one of the manufacturers of molded boxes who offer a customisation service - I don't have a list to hand, but PM me iif you're interested and I'll look them up. If you can find one of their standard cases that is the right size and you like the look of, then this is probably the best way to go.

If, after all that, you still want your own injection molded case, then I assume you have deep pockets (or your bank does). There are a few UK companies that will take on this kind of work for you. Again, they will do the design work, as they know the limitations and requirements oftheir molding process. Sifam is one that springs to mind, as I have had dealings with them, but there are others. It is quite possible that the cost of a mold will be £10-25k (I don't know what size, or how many sections, you need), and they will want a run of several 1000 pieces as a minimum. There are companies in China who will probably do it for less - I get junk emails from them every day!

I do'nt want to put you off, just advise you to be realistic in your expectations - good luck!
 
Hi mike,
Thank you for all the advice..I will call both boss and beechwood in the next couple of days..size wise then we are looking at something about 170 x 80 x 30 mm with 4 membrane switches, cutout for an LCD and single cable entry that is waterproof to ip67..the aim of this project is to make larger instrument displays (mast mount style) that can display both Nmea and seatalk data..the thread is running on here called larger mast mount displays..this is a open source project and we hope to be able to provide the hardware on an open source basis..making it look good could mean that it may be a genuine alternative


As an aside, any ideas how to control a negative 12v voltage from a +5v ?

Please drop in on the thread if electronics are your thing
 
Not unless you can convince her it's a microwave, or part of a conservatory :D

I'll look in on the other thread. electronics is "my thing", but I don't want to muscle in on someone else's project.

Now you've described the box you are looking for, I would strongly recommend the customised standard box route. If I recall, OKW have a large range of enclosures, many of which are much better looking than a standard rectangular box, and they offer complete customising and finishing service. Probably can supply the membrane switch surface as well.
 
Hmmm.....I wonder if I could print a mini microwave and tell her that just like apple I have shrunk the microwave to be a more suitable size..

Please feel free to join in, the more the merrier :) (tho don't mention ardunio to Angus :p)
 
Thanks for mentioning okw, I spotted them at the start of this and did speak to them, they were very good and the prices were within reach..shame I could not remember that it was okw that I had spoken too...these seemed to be the best :-)
 
Whilst working at Bentley and VW, the prototype trim we got was SLS in real ABS and the finish was as good as an injection moulded part.
I don't recall the company which did them, but they were outsourced.
All we did was send them the Catia models and they turned up a day or 2 later.
 
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