Post AVm7lPdiaJkl8hdfCy by harris@social.coop
 (DIR) More posts by harris@social.coop
 (DIR) Post #AVm7lOcyLbYw06HYPI by harris@social.coop
       2023-05-17T18:01:45Z
       
       1 likes, 1 repeats
       
       Maker-types, what software do you use for modeling 3D printed components? And do you have any good tutorials? I'm thinking about getting into 3D printing.Bonus points if the software also includes features for integrating laser-cut components into multi-part designs. (I have done quite a bit of laser cutting.)#3dPrinting  #maker
       
 (DIR) Post #AVm7lPdiaJkl8hdfCy by harris@social.coop
       2023-05-17T23:29:23Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       Got lots of great responses to this so if anyone else is looking for 3D print software recs, check under this thread!It sounds like TinkerCAD is a popular entry option and I used it to put together a pretty quick component. It was adequate, but I already noticed myself having some frustrations about the limitations of the UI though, so I think there's a decent chance I upgrade to something more sophisticated (possibly more coder-friendly) soon. OpenSCAD seems popular.
       
 (DIR) Post #AVm7lQBOZ6gwp9OYhU by BillySmith@social.coop
       2023-05-18T04:56:57Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @harris That's the same thing that i found with TinkerCAD. :DLibreCAD is great for 2d patterns for lasercutting as it uses a workflow from old professional drafting packages.OpenSCAD is fun, and works well if you can think like a programmer. :DFreeCAD is worth looking at, and the latest update now has an OpenSCAD module that you can install. :D
       
 (DIR) Post #AVm9K7Vu4KDj0o65Ts by FourOh-LLC@pkteerium.xyz
       2023-05-18T09:48:30.543646Z
       
       0 likes, 1 repeats
       
       I second FreeCAD and OpenSCAD. I use the 0.21 pre-relase of FreeCAD for months now, and they work together great. Do not let the 0.xx fool you, its a production-grade software.I use OpenSCAD to print the "blanks", such as a plane with four holes in the corners. With OpenSCAD I can control the number of layers for the walls, let's say 3x0.4 = 1.2 mm. Next I model this in FreeCAD, to generate the 2D CAD drawing, and the CNC tool path. On the 3018 CNC router I chip away the 0.4 mm, to place and surface finish the 4 holes with higher precision than the 3D printer could produce.The best utility is in assembling models. Again, it helps when you start your entire design with "blanks" you can 3D print, then CNC to precision.@BillySmith
       
 (DIR) Post #AVm9bmtrRr0wICjBLc by BillySmith@social.coop
       2023-05-18T09:50:35Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @FourOh-LLC @harris Nice approach. :DHow do you find the differences between 0.20 and 0.21?
       
 (DIR) Post #AVm9bnm6CCOp0Q6Ut6 by FourOh-LLC@pkteerium.xyz
       2023-05-18T09:51:41.016724Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       I never used anything but 0.21, so I can't tell. Before that I used only OpenSCAD and wrote the Gcode for the CNC by hand.
       
 (DIR) Post #AVmA3dXvoocrOIkYQy by FourOh-LLC@pkteerium.xyz
       2023-05-18T09:56:43.870786Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       I started using FreeCAD because it generates the 2D CAD drawing. Both FreeCAD and OpenSCAD are parametric modelers, and I realized this helps controlling the geometry beautifully.But OpenSCAD is still far superior to anything, its easier to manage than the huge framework of FreeCAD in Python. The best framework for OpenSCAD is the https://github.com/revarbat/BOSL2 - still relatively lightweight compared to the FreeCAD libraries.
       
 (DIR) Post #AVmCmDWZc7w1coV3Q0 by BillySmith@social.coop
       2023-05-18T10:07:31Z
       
       1 likes, 1 repeats
       
       @FourOh-LLC @harris For 2D CAD, i was using LibreCAD, as it could generate the correct .dxf's that the laser-cutter needed.Though this was before Export-to-DXF had been installed in OpenSCAD.Also, as the laser-cutter, that i had access to, was released in 2010, we were limited to version R12 of the dxf formats, though we later upgraded to one that can do R16. :DHave you come acroos the MaslowCNC machines?https://www.maslowcnc.com/I've got a kit version that i'm building :D
       
 (DIR) Post #AVmDG2XD2Q5SEE1AcC by FourOh-LLC@pkteerium.xyz
       2023-05-18T10:32:35.234835Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       Maslow looks interesting, but I have no more capacity left to experiment. Besides, my interest is in the small and higher precision stuff, and I am learning to cast and machine aluminum. I also weld and building a punch-press for bending and blanking.
       
 (DIR) Post #AVmDrHolB95qLIzI2a by BillySmith@social.coop
       2023-05-18T10:08:25Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @FourOh-LLC @harris And TY for the link to that library. :DMore to chew over. :D
       
 (DIR) Post #AVnskVvmb91JMk7boe by BillySmith@social.coop
       2023-05-18T20:09:46Z
       
       1 likes, 1 repeats
       
       @FourOh-LLC @harris Definitely chewy. :DTY :DAlso, another module i found that can make lasercuttable parts :Dhttps://github.com/bmsleight/lasercut