Ye Olde Rocket Forum

Go Back   Ye Olde Rocket Forum > Work Bench > Building Techniques
User Name
Password
Auctions Register FAQ Members List Calendar Today's Posts Search Mark Forums Read


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
  #1  
Old 01-02-2019, 12:53 PM
Feyd's Avatar
Feyd Feyd is offline
Master Modeler
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 680
Default Laser Cutter files available?

Does anyone have a line on DXF or SVG files for fins, centering rings,
rocket stands, etc?

I was thinking about starting to design my own stands, but didn't want
to reinvent the wheel. I'm sure with the huge amount of experience on
this forum someone has already done this.
__________________
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Dale Marshall, San Antonio Texas
NAR #90990
Semroc SAM #083

BAR Since 2008
Enjoying model rocketry since 1977.
The Spotted Dragon
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 01-02-2019, 01:29 PM
sandman's Avatar
sandman sandman is offline
Custom Cone, Kit & Decal Maker
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Way North of Detroit
Posts: 5,048
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Feyd
Does anyone have a line on DXF or SVG files for fins, centering rings,
rocket stands, etc?

I was thinking about starting to design my own stands, but didn't want
to reinvent the wheel. I'm sure with the huge amount of experience on
this forum someone has already done this.


Dxf and dwg vector file work. The few laser machines I've dealt with use Corel Draw.

Corel Draw can open dxf and dwg file,

You need to download a free CAD program to draw your fins then put them into whatever program the laser cutter used.

Not sure if that answers anything. I hope it does.
__________________
"I'm a sandman. I've never killed anyone. I terminate runners when their time is up." Logan from "Logan's Run"

http://sandmandecals.com/
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 01-02-2019, 01:44 PM
Feyd's Avatar
Feyd Feyd is offline
Master Modeler
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 680
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by sandman
Dxf and dwg vector file work. The few laser machines I've dealt with use Corel Draw.

Corel Draw can open dxf and dwg file,

You need to download a free CAD program to draw your fins then put them into whatever program the laser cutter used.

Not sure if that answers anything. I hope it does.


I have Paint Shop Pro and Inkscape. I can create by drawings in PSP since I'm most
familiar with that program, and then convert them to SVG and DXF in Inkscape.

The laser program I'm using (T2Laser) uses DXF files for cutting.
__________________
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Dale Marshall, San Antonio Texas
NAR #90990
Semroc SAM #083

BAR Since 2008
Enjoying model rocketry since 1977.
The Spotted Dragon
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 01-02-2019, 02:24 PM
astronwolf's Avatar
astronwolf astronwolf is offline
Lost his Drifter
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Northeast Ohio
Posts: 1,277
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Feyd
Does anyone have a line on DXF or SVG files for fins, centering rings,
rocket stands, etc?

I was thinking about starting to design my own stands, but didn't want
to reinvent the wheel. I'm sure with the huge amount of experience on
this forum someone has already done this.

I use Corel Draw to draw simple shapes for fins, centering rings, etc. Based on my experience working with laser cutters is that every file needs tweeking. I have no expectation of being able to draw a 2.000-inch circle (for example) and have the laser cut a 2.000-inch diameter part from that drawing.

I use whatever cutter is available at the maker center that I go to. I always make test cuts and test fit the parts. Depending on the machine, the 2.000-inch diameter circle in the drawing might end up a 1.992-inch diameter bulkhead, or it might be a 2.006-inch diameter bulkhead. It's going to be a too loose or too tight fit in ST-20 tubing, for example. The variability has to do with the thickness of the laser beam at the surface of the part (the kerf), which varies from machine to machine, how well the beam can be focused, and even the thickness and type of material that I am cutting. The drawing has to be scaled so that I can account for the laser cutter's kerf and the material that I am cutting. Once I get the drawing dialed in to a particular machine, I can create parts that have the dimensions and tolerance that I want.

So, in my opinion, getting some stock drawing that someone else made is kind of useless. The drawing will still need to be worked on. Your best bet is to pick whatever software that is compatible with the work you want to do, and learn how to use it to draw your own parts.
__________________
-Wolfram v. Kiparski
NAR 28643 - TRA 15520
MTMA Section #606 President
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 01-02-2019, 04:50 PM
Jerry Irvine's Avatar
Jerry Irvine Jerry Irvine is offline
Freeform rocketry advocate.
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Claremont, CA "The intellectual capitol of the world."-WSJ
Posts: 3,780
Default

With all these decal and small rocket companies going out of businesses, one wonders who is archiving the files? I Volunteer.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 01-02-2019, 11:40 PM
vcp vcp is offline
Intermediate Rocketeer
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 90
Default

This thread on that other forum contains a very complete centering ring generator that produces dxf files.

https://www.rocketryforum.com/threa...erators.148308/
__________________
KE7FIZ
Nike Historical Society
Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:23 AM.


Powered by: vBulletin Version 3.0.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Ye Olde Rocket Shoppe © 1998-2024