Anyone here use any Cad or Cam software? I'm sure some of the programs used to create models for this game could be considered cad but just curious if anyone out there in Beam land is either into mechanical engineering or machining. I am currently in school to get into the machining trade. The software I currently use are Solidworks (CAD) and Mastercam (CAM). Both are very powerful and I'm pretty sure one of the operations I tried to do in Mastercam caused my CPU to overload and I didn't want to wait for it to finish so I had to end the program and start over because I hadn't saved before I did that operation.
Some of the stuff I've made. Some of it is useful and some of it is just practice doing different operations.
I am actually going to school to be a mechanical engineer... should graduate this fall if all goes to plan I use Solidworks all the time... it is one of my favorite programs to use... I love it but one thing you learn fast is make small changes and save often if you are running an old computer (like me) because sometimes the old Core2Duo isn't up to the task of making a filet on every edge at the same time... instead I have to do the part in chunks. Gets the same result, just a little more tedious. Now as far as machining is concerned, I actually don't do very much of that, but last summer I worked at a machine shop running CNC's, Lathes, and Mills so I guess that counts a little? I was trained to use them in school but not very well and the class was literally only a half hour. Not very much to operate and potentially break such expensive equipment, but I did get a badge that says I can operate it... I pretty much stay away until I get thought more though cause I cant pay for even a mill head never mind the whole drill. I personally use most of my 3D models in 3D printing applications... that is what I mostly do on campus... I have access to unlimited 3D printing filament and a bunch of 3D printers so that's where most of my time goes.
That's actually really cool and I may go into mechanical engineering after I get a job at a shop and some experience and such. I am contemplating drawing up some stuff to 3d print but am not sure how I want to go about it. I wanna make a giraffe and maybe something else but I'm not sure yet. My school has three 3D printers so I could use those but am not sure if it will cost me anything or not. Here are some of the things I've drawn so far in solidworks. Pretty simple stuff but still cool. Once i get around to making webms or gifs or something I'll post some stuff from mastercam.
Yes, I designed the whole thing. The screws are from the toolbox, they are M3x8 screws. Here is a prototype Used & abused... thorougly tested:
First revision flew like a champ. This is the smallest size to take 5" propellers so the yaw authority is amazing
