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larwe posted on April 30, 2007, 11:05 am
I need to get my hands dirty with some 3D CAD, developing some proof-
of-concept housings for various electronics packages, and some very
simple mechanical parts (plastic gear trains and cams, mostly). These
designs don't need to be manufacturable; I would simply generate an
FDM or SLA, sand out the quantization, then make a rubber mold and
hand-cast the few units I need.
I also need to generate 3D visualizations of some larger (primarily
sheet metal) parts, and create shop drawings from those.
So, I'm looking at Alibre - currently playing with the Express version
- it seems *relatively* simple and it's in my price bracket. I have
previously played with Pro/E and been utterly stymied by the addons
and astonished by the price. Is there anything I ought to know about
Alibre? Is it a smart buy? A stupid buy? Is it missing some feature
that professional mechanical engineers can't live without?
I figure this is the right place to ask because there are probably a
lot of hobbyists with some similar needs :)
of-concept housings for various electronics packages, and some very
simple mechanical parts (plastic gear trains and cams, mostly). These
designs don't need to be manufacturable; I would simply generate an
FDM or SLA, sand out the quantization, then make a rubber mold and
hand-cast the few units I need.
I also need to generate 3D visualizations of some larger (primarily
sheet metal) parts, and create shop drawings from those.
So, I'm looking at Alibre - currently playing with the Express version
- it seems *relatively* simple and it's in my price bracket. I have
previously played with Pro/E and been utterly stymied by the addons
and astonished by the price. Is there anything I ought to know about
Alibre? Is it a smart buy? A stupid buy? Is it missing some feature
that professional mechanical engineers can't live without?
I figure this is the right place to ask because there are probably a
lot of hobbyists with some similar needs :)
Wayne C. Gramlich posted on
Re: Anyone using Alibre?
You should probably quickly join both the CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO
and DIY-CNC Yahoo groups and re-ask your questions there.
There are far more people in those two groups that have a
range of experience of various 3D CAD packages. Please
be forewarned that 3D CAD can be a very expensive proposition.
-Wayne
Jim Stewart posted on
Re: Anyone using Alibre?
Yes, I like it. I've been doing front
panels and bent sheet metal for a few
months. No solid modeling yet. You should
be able to get Design Express for free.
It doesn't support sheet metal and is
missing some of the nice features of
the pro package but should be fine for
getting your feet wet.
linnix posted on
Re: Anyone using Alibre?
It doesn't matter.
On a previous project, armed with complicated Pro/E drawings
and plans, I met the Engineers who is going to make the mold.
We sat down in dirty tables and chairs, make sketches with
papers and pencils. Eventually, we came to an agreement.
The customer is happy with the final product,
which is nothing like the original drawings.
The drawings and plans do help to send me over there.
I have so many stories to tell. I think I am going to write a book.
Re: Anyone using Alibre?
Read my original post. My inquiry is not for production.
I need to do 3D visualizations of some objects, and I need to be able
to generate files for rapid prototyping (SLA/FDM). I can already
sketch out what I need to sketch on paper - the trouble is turning
that into a rapid prototype at a reasonable cost. It's more cost-
effective for me to generate the CAD source files at home than sketch
something on paper and hire an external designer to realize that.
Re: Anyone using Alibre?
Yes, I know. But the process is the same.
If you can't direct someone for production,
you can direct someone for prototyping either.
CAD/CAM plans are good for showing the production/prototype
engineer what needs to be done. How he would do it is a different
story.
I believe all design engineers should visit the factories at least
once.
Re: Anyone using Alibre?
Yes, like I said I'm playing with that right now. I'm working through
the tutorials (which don't match up with the software... grrr) and
then I'm going to try designing one of my cams.
I'm a bit irritated that their special $500-off pricing deal expires
today.
Re: Anyone using Alibre?
Let me tell you a little secret. They love
to negotiate and make deals. Call them and
tell them you need an x day extension, but
you want to buy. I can almost guarantee they
will bite. Oh, and tell them I sent you. I'll
get a free year's support for the reference.
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