Home Shop Machining/CAD
Computer Aided Design
[edit | edit source]CAD systems are 2 dimensional, much like traditional drafting, or 3 dimensional modelling systems. With 3D, there are 2 approaches: parametric, in that work is started as a 2D sketch that is "defined" and then processed into 3D forms, or direct modelling, where 3D objects are manipulated. There is some convergence and the lines between these 2 approaches, and even between 2D and 3D, are getting blurry.
Home Shop Machinists use CAD to:
[edit | edit source]- Make shop drawings to work from.
- Model 3D objects to check for fit and function.
- Generate code to run CNC machines.
- As well, running structural analysis on designs is becoming possible.
Common Applications
[edit | edit source]Free for Hobby Use
[edit | edit source]- Fusion 360 - From Autodesk, parametric 3D modelling system. Requires online account but does allow some offline editing.
- OnShape - Fully web browser based parametric 3D modelling system. Free but models must be public domain.
- SketchUp - From Trimble (bought from Google). Very easy to use 3D modelling system. Intuitive inference engine.