A Mental High
The licensing issues worked out well. No gap in software usability, and everything is working great. I got to play with the software some more, and ran into a major snag on a project. The support team for the software didn't have a fix, but offered a suggestion. On a whim I used their suggestion, tried another command in concert with it, and basically got what I was actually after. I posted the results to their support forum, where I'd originally asked the question. I hope it's well received.
Aside from the learning curve, I do have to say that this is one of the more impressive programs I've used. It's a 3D CAD/CAM program. There's something unreal about being able to design in 3D. There's something even more unreal about being able to take those designs, turn them into toolpaths, and make those parts. Until now I've never had the ability to visualize designs this way, except by using pencil and paper (no pun intended). Even more, it lets you check for interference between parts, tooling problems, etc. It's unreal.
The title of this posting may seem a little strong. Yes, I know what it feels like to get high. I know what it feels like to inadvertently overdose on prescription medication and go beyond high and on into comatose. Given the choice I'll take this kind of high: Knowing I can create something, pulling ideas out of my head and giving them form and function, and then making those ideas reality. So no, the title isn't that much of an overstatement. It's fantastic.
The current project I'm working on is a set of touch probes for my mill. I am by no means pushing the limits of what this software will do on this project. The parts and toolpaths are actually quite simple compared to other things I've done. But it will expand what I can do with it and close the loop from conception to physical reality and back.
Here's an example of something that could use a touch probe: Have you ever had a favorite pen or pencil? One that really fit your hand? Let's take that a step farther. What if you had a pen or pencil that really was designed specifically for your hand, your grip, your writing style?
Start with a wooden pencil the same diameter as the smallest component of the pen you're working on. For all intents and purposes this is the pen tube, though you'd want some leeway. Now stick polymer clay on the dowel. Mold it to fit your hand. Use it to write with for a while. Make sure every curve and surface is perfect for your hand. Bake the pencil to harden the clay. Chuck this up on a 4-axis mill with a touch probe and scan the shape into a file. In CAD/CAM, smooth and clean up the surface and create a 4-axis toolpath.
Back on the mill, pick a material, drill, and tube it with pen tubes. One of my favorites is some combination of bloodwood and ebony. Load the toolpath and run it. Finish with Micromesh and Crystal Coat.
You now have a pen that is completely and utterly designed for your hand and your hand alone. Don't like wood? Make it out of metal. Don't like hard pens? Use it to generate a negative and make a mold. Cast in hard urethane rubber. The choice is entirely yours.
Yeah, it's a high.
Aside from the learning curve, I do have to say that this is one of the more impressive programs I've used. It's a 3D CAD/CAM program. There's something unreal about being able to design in 3D. There's something even more unreal about being able to take those designs, turn them into toolpaths, and make those parts. Until now I've never had the ability to visualize designs this way, except by using pencil and paper (no pun intended). Even more, it lets you check for interference between parts, tooling problems, etc. It's unreal.
The title of this posting may seem a little strong. Yes, I know what it feels like to get high. I know what it feels like to inadvertently overdose on prescription medication and go beyond high and on into comatose. Given the choice I'll take this kind of high: Knowing I can create something, pulling ideas out of my head and giving them form and function, and then making those ideas reality. So no, the title isn't that much of an overstatement. It's fantastic.
The current project I'm working on is a set of touch probes for my mill. I am by no means pushing the limits of what this software will do on this project. The parts and toolpaths are actually quite simple compared to other things I've done. But it will expand what I can do with it and close the loop from conception to physical reality and back.
Here's an example of something that could use a touch probe: Have you ever had a favorite pen or pencil? One that really fit your hand? Let's take that a step farther. What if you had a pen or pencil that really was designed specifically for your hand, your grip, your writing style?
Start with a wooden pencil the same diameter as the smallest component of the pen you're working on. For all intents and purposes this is the pen tube, though you'd want some leeway. Now stick polymer clay on the dowel. Mold it to fit your hand. Use it to write with for a while. Make sure every curve and surface is perfect for your hand. Bake the pencil to harden the clay. Chuck this up on a 4-axis mill with a touch probe and scan the shape into a file. In CAD/CAM, smooth and clean up the surface and create a 4-axis toolpath.
Back on the mill, pick a material, drill, and tube it with pen tubes. One of my favorites is some combination of bloodwood and ebony. Load the toolpath and run it. Finish with Micromesh and Crystal Coat.
You now have a pen that is completely and utterly designed for your hand and your hand alone. Don't like wood? Make it out of metal. Don't like hard pens? Use it to generate a negative and make a mold. Cast in hard urethane rubber. The choice is entirely yours.
Yeah, it's a high.
posted by pencil at 4:28 PM
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