hi
Looking for an engineer well experienced in Aspire to convert some of our audio speaker projects into Aspire projects for a specific CNC machine
1) Need to be able to open STEP file (our products are only created as a 3D object and include other parts like audio drivers, speaker grills and electronics which need to be ignored)
2) Need to double check the CAD image for the pole socket and handle and ensure the box model is correct (I know we have had issues with these parts fitting)
3) Need to convert the 3D box into individual build pieces - with consideration of strong joints that will make alignment and assembly easy (box joint? or locking mortice?)
4) Need to layout each product to maximise material use and reduce wastage (depending on model, for instance 6 full sets of one model across two sheets)
Target machine is Camaster Cobra with ATC and vacuum table. No specific tool bits nominated, but shall be your guidance and recommendation. We hope the number of tools used can be limited to 5 or less in the program. If using a locking mortice bit, then the programming sequence needs to be suitable so as to stop movement of the parts when cutting etc. Common sense things like that.
Programming should be with Vectric Aspire.
There are a total of 8 products to be converted.
Project ready now to commence.
We hope the engineer will be experienced enough to make recommendations in the design choice like join types etc. Our intention is to make the assembly process as simple and impossible to get incorrect alignment when hand assembling the pieces, and not requiring much filling and sanding due to poor final assembly alignment.
Hope there is someone out there, or if you know of someone who might be well suited but not on this forum, please give a shout out.
Thanks
Looking for engineer to turn CAD file into aspire project
- dealguy11
- Vectric Wizard
- Posts: 2486
- Joined: Tue Sep 22, 2009 9:52 pm
- Model of CNC Machine: Anderson Selexx 510
- Location: Henryville, PA
Re: Looking for engineer to turn CAD file into aspire projec
I'm probably not the right person to take on this project for you, but I can recommend an approach for joining the boxes. We make instrument boxes for a specialized drum kit - the box both contains the kit and is part of the drum set itself, and is made for professional gig drummers so it has to stand up to being beat on and moved and banged around generally. It is made of 1/2" Baltic birch. We use qualified blind tenon joints to join the box together. If you keep the tolerances tight and use a good glue it is extremely sturdy. We have been using Titebond 3, and are looking to try PUR hot glue to speed up assembly and reduce clamp time. The mortise and tenon only go together one way, and the tenon lengths are different on every joint (mostly because there is hardware we have to avoid), so there is no question about how the box goes together.
The biggest issue on the joinery is variation in the thickness of the material. You do have to mic each batch of ply before cutting to make sure the joinery will come out right. I think that will be an issue with most joints you might try to use for this.
The biggest issue on the joinery is variation in the thickness of the material. You do have to mic each batch of ply before cutting to make sure the joinery will come out right. I think that will be an issue with most joints you might try to use for this.
Steve Godding
Not all who wander (or wonder) are lost
Not all who wander (or wonder) are lost
- martin54
- Vectric Archimage
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- Model of CNC Machine: Gerber 48, Triac PC, Isel fixed gantry
- Location: Kirkcaldy, Scotland
Re: Looking for engineer to turn CAD file into aspire projec
Aspire won't import STEP files so you will need someone who is experienced in other 3D software as well as Aspire
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- Vectric Wizard
- Posts: 1013
- Joined: Fri May 15, 2015 1:10 pm
- Model of CNC Machine: 3 axis small size machine
- Location: France
Re: Looking for engineer to turn CAD file into aspire projec
Hi,
Make the whole design of all parts of the box in your 3D CAD, including joinery, all rabbets, holes, ... without any allowance.
If you export a step and re-process it into Aspire (or whatever program you may use), you'll have to rework the whole process each time you'll have a modification.
You won't be able to chek the whole assembly in Aspire. You can in the 3D CAD.
Export each individual part of the box as dxf from CAD then import it in Aspire, and process them: dxf files will require some adjustments to be ready for cutting.
You'll the be able to nest all parts in Aspire. Once your toolpaths are created, you'll be able to adjust them regarding to material depth (see Steve's comments) and to set allowances for each one. These parameters are production ones, so better deal with them in the CAM tool (in this case Aspire) than in the CAD system, as they vary with the material you're cutting, not with the design.
You may want an experienced Aspire user to process the parts and give feedback on the design, but providing a step and asking to convert it in individual parts is not the way to go IMHO.
This "table" has been fully design in 3D CAD, exported as dxf, and the toolpaths were adjusted according to the actual depth of the material boards. Many parts in various depth, complex assembly with linear guides, gas lifts, the top is adjustable and can be locked in height and tilting. 3D modelling was required to chek assembly and all dimensions.
Make the whole design of all parts of the box in your 3D CAD, including joinery, all rabbets, holes, ... without any allowance.
If you export a step and re-process it into Aspire (or whatever program you may use), you'll have to rework the whole process each time you'll have a modification.
You won't be able to chek the whole assembly in Aspire. You can in the 3D CAD.
Export each individual part of the box as dxf from CAD then import it in Aspire, and process them: dxf files will require some adjustments to be ready for cutting.
You'll the be able to nest all parts in Aspire. Once your toolpaths are created, you'll be able to adjust them regarding to material depth (see Steve's comments) and to set allowances for each one. These parameters are production ones, so better deal with them in the CAM tool (in this case Aspire) than in the CAD system, as they vary with the material you're cutting, not with the design.
You may want an experienced Aspire user to process the parts and give feedback on the design, but providing a step and asking to convert it in individual parts is not the way to go IMHO.
This "table" has been fully design in 3D CAD, exported as dxf, and the toolpaths were adjusted according to the actual depth of the material boards. Many parts in various depth, complex assembly with linear guides, gas lifts, the top is adjustable and can be locked in height and tilting. 3D modelling was required to chek assembly and all dimensions.
Re: Looking for engineer to turn CAD file into aspire projec
so if I could get the project converted to parts in a DXF or DWG will that make the project easier for someone to convert and do as an aspire project?
I can have a CAD engineer do that conversion but they would simply convert to butt joints and I'm not sure how practical that is for a box build in terms of strength
I can have a CAD engineer do that conversion but they would simply convert to butt joints and I'm not sure how practical that is for a box build in terms of strength
- dealguy11
- Vectric Wizard
- Posts: 2486
- Joined: Tue Sep 22, 2009 9:52 pm
- Model of CNC Machine: Anderson Selexx 510
- Location: Henryville, PA
Re: Looking for engineer to turn CAD file into aspire projec
With the basic shapes and sizes defined in the dxf/dwg file, joinery can be added.
I sent you a private message. Did you get it?
I sent you a private message. Did you get it?
Steve Godding
Not all who wander (or wonder) are lost
Not all who wander (or wonder) are lost