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The Machine Shop => Everything Cad => Topic started by: jalper on December 31, 2009, 05:44:58 PM

Title: Tab design?
Post by: jalper on December 31, 2009, 05:44:58 PM

What is the best software to design your own tabs to take to a water-jet or plasma cam?  is there simple software or is it way more complicated than I am thinking?

Title: Re: Tab design?
Post by: SPEC on December 31, 2009, 05:51:40 PM

What kind of tabs are you asking about?
I personally have mine CNC'ed inot a chunk of bar stock for a no grind, always on the money fit

Title: Re: Tab design?
Post by: Doug Heim on December 31, 2009, 07:42:15 PM

Now thats an Idea if Ive ever seen one Spec! You must have those sliced up with a mill saw for a smooth finish on the face as well.

To answer your question though... any CAD software that can save your file in preferably DWG. or DXF. can translate into a tool path fo the laser or waterjet. If you need help let me know as I can draw some stuff for you. I can have it cut as well. Hope that helps  8)

Title: Re: Tab design?
Post by: jalper on December 31, 2009, 11:53:41 PM

That does help, what is some of the popular software people are using?

Title: Re: Tab design?
Post by: Doug Heim on December 31, 2009, 11:59:50 PM

I use AutoCad and Techsoft. I hae Pro e but havent a clue how to run it. Auto Cad is probably your best bet.

Title: Re: Tab design?
Post by: fabr on January 01, 2010, 12:15:32 AM

Alibre all the way!

Title: Re: Tab design?
Post by: SPEC on January 01, 2010, 03:36:53 AM

 ;D
Master cam 9.1
Fook I don't hardly know how to open it up...
But Mumbler runs the shit out of it
He drew up the tab stock and machined it
All I do is chuck it up in the saw and deburr after words

Title: Re: Tab design?
Post by: artie on edge on January 01, 2010, 06:16:11 PM

Quote from: masterfabr on January 01, 2010, 12:15:32 AM

Alibre all the way!

Still? I thought you were thinking about doing awat with it? Im ok with it purely because I know no better and im a computer klutz anyway....

Happy New Year you lot!

Title: Re: Tab design?
Post by: fabr on January 01, 2010, 07:00:34 PM

Actually after the FUBAR on the couple of parts engineer did for me(ABSOLUTELY NO FAULT OF HIS) I complained to Alibre. They gave me a bit of a run around,IMO,I downloaded the latest version and have since had no issues with constrained features moving out of position. The Alibre CAM also SEEMS to be all I need to do what my pea brain needs. LOL!!! Actually it has many of the same features as the high end cam programs. As soon as I get the vmc back together I'll know if I hate it or not. Bottom line is that the best/latest version of Alibre is a good product that is MUCH easier to use and more SW like.

Title: Re: Tab design?
Post by: jalper on January 04, 2010, 12:09:00 AM

I seen the price of the lower end alibre will that work it is 197.00?

Title: Re: Tab design?
Post by: fabr on January 04, 2010, 06:06:53 AM

I suppose so but I have the other end of the Alibre offering.

Title: Re: Tab design?
Post by: eagle3 on February 23, 2010, 10:09:28 AM

 :o damm, thats got to be the most expensive way to make a tab i ever seen.  why not laser them.  CR bar 1.25/lb vs HRPO sheet @ .40/lb.  machining then saw cut vs laser cutting.  I understand it makes a nice coped fit but laser can hold +/- 0.010 on that part easy.

send me a dxf. file and I'll laser cut them for less than half the cost.

Title: Re: Tab design?
Post by: Doug Heim on February 23, 2010, 11:29:11 AM

Need Tabs?  Eagle3... Ill be intouch in the future for a shot on the next run.

http://dtsfab.com/index/index.php?topic=2632.0 (http://dtsfab.com/index/index.php?topic=2632.0)