EdSainless:
You ask: "Why did you heat treat the wire, did you need it weaker than it started?"
I don't know why and I don't know what exactly they do for treatment but I do know that the first samples we received snapped in half when the fan was drop tested. Not sure if they were heat treated...
We build a fan that has the back of the motor supported by 4, 6 gauge spring steel wire struts with mounting loops on the ends, bent and then heat treated to Rockwell C45-49.5
Drawing attached.
This arrangement was OK with a Roto-molded fan shell but we've moved to an Injection molded fan shell...
JHG: I have also found that dxf transfers geometry reliably which the manufacturer likes. My engineer says IGES or Parasolid is the way to go but even he can't get these to import anything better than a "dumb" solid which is practically useless except as a base feature or pattern to redraw...
We have been fighting import/export issues between CAD programs when trying to collaborate on designs, We use Solidworks 7, Engeneer uses AutoCAD, Manufacturer uses MasterCAM. Once we issue a design as a DXF, not ideal me thinks, for the engineer and the manufacturer, if they make any changes...