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‘manufacturing’

Get Your CNC Machining On, Without the Metal
Shavings

06 Oct, 2011 by Josh Mings in FAB, RESOURCES, TECH
3D Human CAD Models

The lonliness that consumes you when the CNC operators talk shop is all about to end. You may not know how to bolt a billet of aluminum into a chunk without removing half your arm skin, but you can download a program with less trauma and bring a CHUCKle to a machinists face. A fresh CNC simulator program, aptly named CNC Simulator is available and liable to interest anyone who has or has wished they could shape materials on a CNC Machine. Me? I’m gonna use it to simulate the 5-axis cut of a mechanical arm the drill press and milling machine operators can use to battle against each other. Prepare for the download and some jazzy CNC Simulation video down below.

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Woodworking Wonder: A Different Side of Manufacturing

21 Jul, 2011 by Bradley Derry in FAB

Take a change of pace with me and see a completely different side of manufacturing. A side where designers don’t worry about being first to market or appealing to the largest consumer base possible. I’m talking about a side where products are produced specifically for individuals who appreciate the novelty and the art of the object. It’s a refreshing side and one where honest connections can be made between a company and its audience.

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Ride’s Got Soul. The Sweet Fabrication of Soulcraft’s Custom Steel Bicycle Frame [Video]

12 Apr, 2011 by Josh Mings in FAB

You like to ride. That’s what it’s about. Not skimming around on a pretty set of purple powder coated tubes, with matching water bottle, helmet and Lycra bottoms. The tougher, the better and if it can handle blood spatters from shin gashes, dehydration vomits and a 30 foot fall… all the better.

Sean Walling know the principle of a bike being ‘a simple and efficient tool.’ It’s evident in the custom steel bicycle frames he’s design and manufactured over the past 10 years as owner of Soulcraft. Filmmaker Michael Evans caught a glimpse of what goes into the fabrication of these serene, steel beauties and gives us a taste of the steps Sean goes through to make it all happen.

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I (Heart) Pattern Features. Better Bolt Circles With Curve Driven Patterns

30 Jun, 2009 by Josh Mings in CAD

Oh no, you not gonna do it are you? please, no, no. YES. Slowly step away from the rotor. Bolt Circles my friends. Large, circular, equally-spaced bolt circles to turn your manufacturing nemesis into someone that buys you cakes on holidays. Manufacturers have a special place in their heart for “B.C.” , and as engineers we want to appreciate the power of creating them easily.

Now, in SolidWorks, you have a few options, but if you’re a square plate with no circular edge to be seen, using the plain old Circular Pattern feature just won’t cut it, but there’s a tool that will.
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Extrude. Print. Manufacture. 10 Tips to Design Your Parts for Manufacturing in SolidWorks {CheckList}

28 Apr, 2009 by Josh Mings in CAD

Put the crackers down. The shop is calling. Nope, not to tell you they have to remake everything, but to let you know the part-makin’ is going perfectly. Why? You knew what to look out for.

On the screen it looks spectacular, right? but can it actually be made? For many designers and engineer’s designing parts to be manufactured is second nature. However, there are ways we model parts in SolidWorks that can get us severely scorned by the people making the parts and that’s what were here to deal with.

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3D THROWDOWN! Why 3D Printers Will Go Mainstream

19 Mar, 2009 by Josh Mings in DESIGN

OOOOOhhhhh, it is ON. SolidSmack has been challenged… and when I say challenged, I mean we are pickin’ fights with anything or anyone.

Mr. Joseph ‘Mass Customization’ Flaherty over at Replicator Blog recently wrote about Why 3D Printers Won’t Go Mainstream. That’s just yelling to have an opposing view thrown at it. So that’s what were about to do. A friendly throwdown in the field of the interweb to avoid any type of debilitating physical damage.

We’ll take on Joseph’s viewpoint and look at just how 3D Printers will go mainstream. FIGHT ON BABY.

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The Fruit Bowl Future of Design and Engineering in 2019

04 Mar, 2009 by Josh Mings in TECH

future-designAhhh, it’s that time where we sit with a pretend cup of hallucinogenic material and ponder the inescapable existence of highly advanced technology creeping it’s way into our future (as well as the need to still clean it all.)

A little over a week ago Microsoft presented, in fine video form, it’s vision of what the future computing and collaboration might be in 2019. Sound boring? Maybe typical?

Well, it’s anything but, and when you apply it to 3D CAD, PLM and all those amazing things you design, engineer and manufacture each day… the future is lookin’ pretty dang cool. Lets ponder…

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Toy Manufacturers Will Die February 10, 2009

11 Dec, 2008 by Josh Mings in NEWS

It’s time to get all activism on ya. Imagine just getting a seat of your favorite 3D CAD software with plans to create some sweet kids products.

Imagine being a small toy manufacturer, a hobby woodworker that sells wooden kid’s toys online, or somebody that makes cool robot dolls. In Feburary of 2009, you will have to shut down or break the law.

Why? Read on.

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Selling, Lasers, and Searching: Ponoko Puts Up Three Great Posts

15 Sep, 2008 by Josh Mings in DESIGN

I’ve covered a little of what Ponoko does with their laser-cut, create your design approach to manufacturing. Coupled with the ability to sell your own design, it’s simply the most unique and creative DIY site out there.

Their blog is no less and has been one of my favorite to read some time. A group of their latest latest articles not only give you insight into manufacturing, but really show the talent and breadth of the Ponoko blogging crew and what they write about.

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