I have done 2D AutoCAD for about 15 years and have recently been dabbling in 3D with Solidworks and went through first certification. If you need some 3D modeling done let me know.

Congrats....I got my CSWP back in 2002.

-Mike

Team QuickUK Pilot
Team Heliproz

AutoCAD Pro

Congrats on your cert.
I've been an avid AutoCAD user since DOS, did my first 3D project for Reader's Digest chiller room back in 1993 - still have the dwg. Worked with 3DS MAX for a bit but never Solidworks.

Guys, I have a SLDPRT file that was given to me which appears to be a SolidWorks file. Can you explain what steps are needed to convert this file in such a way that it can be used in a CNC machine to cut out a piece? I am a total newbie in this field, so a brief explanation (or a link to something I need to read) would be greatly appreciated.

Avant RC
Scorpion Power Systems
Thunder Power RC
Kontronik Drives

Justin,

Solidworks (SW) is only a CAD program, not a CAM program. Additional software will be necessary to creat toolpaths.

Some CAM programs can read native SW files, some can only read neutral file formats like .stl, igs, .stp, etc. Alternatively, some CAM packages have CAD capabilities that allow you to build geometry in right in the CAM software.

Once you bring the file into a CAM package, toolpaths can be generated and Gcode can be output into your machine tool.

So...once you find out what file types your CAM software can read, you can then either import your SW file directly or save it at a neutral file format and then import that.

Are you running the actual CNC machine or prepping the SW file to give to a machine shop to do the work?

-Mike

Team QuickUK Pilot
Team Heliproz

A guy sent me a solidworks file for a Jive heatsink, and I was wondering what it would take to get it produced out of metal. I was hoping I could just take the file on a disc to some shop and they would put the disc in the computer and "bam", I would have my piece. But I am learning that there is more to it than that.

Avant RC
Scorpion Power Systems
Thunder Power RC
Kontronik Drives

Justin,

It can be just as "easy" as that. It really depends on the machine shop and the part you bring them.

From the sounds of it, your part has simple geometry so they may or may not use "your" actual file but simply recreate it.

My recommendation is to call the prospective machine shop and discuss your project. A mechanical drawing is most useful in communicating what you want done and having a solid model available is nice but not always necessary.

If you don't have SW drawing, I can whip up a quick drawing for you to mark-up to help with the process. ....depending on what version of SW is was created in.

Regards,

Mike

Team QuickUK Pilot
Team Heliproz

greger, congrats on the certification.

Justin, cam software can make generating tool paths quick and relatively easy but the only process I can think of that describes "put the disc in the computer and "bam", I would have my piece" is 3D printing. Not to be mistaken with CNC machining.

scratch building is not just for planks

I think I need to take an introductory CAD/CAM class at my local college so I can have a better idea of what you are talking about. Thanks.

Avant RC
Scorpion Power Systems
Thunder Power RC
Kontronik Drives

Nice! I've been involved with parametric modellers since the early days of AutoCad Designer, Mechanical Destop, and Inventor. Also SolidWorks since 2005. Congrat and keep up the great work.

FlipMode Squad

Since you guys are certified what is the trick to getting it to record AVI's. Both of our machines(dell workstations) it just will not work (SW2010)the way it thought it would perform. I thought every setting has been tried but it just will not record the way I need it. It needs to capture the entire screen but it only records the rendering window.

Anyone close to Pensacola FL

I was looking for a guy that could draw up a hub design.
I want to meet face to face.
So that it will only take an hour.

Futaba T12ZH Multi rotor Logo 10 3D--NEU 1910 1Y motor--Gy401 w-9254-- --JR ser

Hi, if you don't find any locals we can do it for $120 an hour. It would be in Solidworks. We don't have time for any prototypes at the present, maybe around election time when things seem to stagnate.

I prefer UG any day.

Rick

Greger,

is your offer still good as old as this thread is? I have just switched from sw2006 to 2012 and have resurrected one of my old projects and im having some issues with mesh topological errors out the wazoo, plus i lost all the individual parts and now the file has made all the parts into 1 part... i need certain things broken back down into individual parts so i can 3d print some things to inspect trial fit etc before making molds...
I just cant afford certified training at all right now but they do offer some classes in indy about an hour north of me and down in evansville about 3 or 4 hours south of me... take a look into my gallery at my sub project..thats a few images ive uploaded from my build thread at another site...