Large Scale Central

Cad drawings revisited

General Discussion
#1

I suppose I should have started the thread (Cad drawings) differently than before to get the desired results
so I’ll try again.
I am a presently a mechanical Designer pushing retirement.
I as a lot of you, cannot stop working and just relax & watch the world go by.
I need something to do in those so-called Golden years.
My main interest is modeling, railroading, aircraft, woodworking & whatever.
So with these interests I’ve been looking for something that can pay for itself and hold my interest.
My thought is a laser cutter. A high initial cost but low overhead if I don’t have to spend much time drawing or changing drawings to conform with the requirements of laser

If there were a library of drawings available to choose from in the correct formats,
Dxf. Iges. Dwg. And others, Cost could be as low as materials + laser time + shipping.
Laser time is estimated at 100.00 per hour. Hence the interest in cad usage & types.

If the drawing are in the correct type and the drawing has been refined & proven laser friendly, Laser time could be 5 to 20 minutes Max. If two or three items can be cut at the same time, costs will be less per hour.
I’m not the first to think of this, there are laser-cutting services available now.

I have not purchased a laser cutter yet. And I will only if I feel there’s a market for this service.
Has any body used this type of service in the past and if so there thoughts or comments.

Marv

#2

I might suggest you take a peek into the modeling forum and look at Bob’s steel outside braced EBT box car project. This is a project that he and Bruce started and several others of us are going to follow along. Bob kitted the box car and the main parts are laser cut acrylic.

#3
Warren Mumpower said:
I might suggest you take a peek into the modeling forum and look at Bob's steel outside braced EBT box car project. This is a project that he and Bruce started and several others of us are going to follow along. Bob kitted the box car and the main parts are laser cut acrylic.
This is the type of thing I’ve been thinking of, after prototyping the original part(s) and then storing the drawings and instructions so that if in 6 days or 6 years the minimum amount of time for set up is needed for whoever ordered the parts. It would be time consuming up front but would minimize cost in the long run.

Marv

#4
Marvin said:
Warren Mumpower said:
I might suggest you take a peek into the modeling forum and look at Bob's steel outside braced EBT box car project. This is a project that he and Bruce started and several others of us are going to follow along. Bob kitted the box car and the main parts are laser cut acrylic.
This is the type of thing I’ve been thinking of, after prototyping the original part(s) and then storing the drawings and instructions so that if in 6 days or 6 years the minimum amount of time for set up is needed for whoever ordered the parts. It would be time consuming up front but would minimize cost in the long run.

Marv


Marv,

What size burner were you considering?

#5
Hans-Joerg Mueller said:
Marvin said:
Warren Mumpower said:
I might suggest you take a peek into the modeling forum and look at Bob's steel outside braced EBT box car project. This is a project that he and Bruce started and several others of us are going to follow along. Bob kitted the box car and the main parts are laser cut acrylic.
This is the type of thing I’ve been thinking of, after prototyping the original part(s) and then storing the drawings and instructions so that if in 6 days or 6 years the minimum amount of time for set up is needed for whoever ordered the parts. It would be time consuming up front but would minimize cost in the long run.

Marv


Marv,

What size burner were you considering?


Minimum 100 Watt laser 48" X 48" cutting area

Marv