Alternative to Plotting Undimensioned Drawings 1

[Millerfish]

We are trying to cut the cost and lead time of plotting mylar drawings in our quick response shop. It is mostly sheet metal formed parts and flat patterns. We have rubber sheeted TIF images of the drawings. Someone remembered seeing some sort of projector at one time that would produce an accurate image on a table. Any one familiar with this or any other ways to avoid the hard plot without going full vector.

 

[rb1957]

they're called "lofts" printed on stable media, like mylar.

ideally your part should have a box (ok, corners of a box), or a length, marked that is a standard (12") and annotated so, so that people can check if the loft has stretched.

another day in paradise, or is paradise one day closer ?

 

[Compositepro]

An overhead projector will do what you are asking. However, these days laser scanners are usually used to project an outline on a template or on a tool to locate where something is to be positioned.

http://www.gerbertechnology.com/en-us/solutions/virteklasersolutions.aspx

 

[Millerfish]

We currently plot copies of the drawing on Mylar film. What we are trying to do is not plot copies on Mylar. These copies are very costly and take time to produce.

 

[rb1957]

digitise the mylar data and send it to an NC router.

i'd've thought you should be able to scan/print the mylar film directly onto the sheet ?
but then, this is what you're asking to do !

another day in paradise, or is paradise one day closer ?

 

[Millerfish]

Thanks for the input

The overhead projector is the type of (low) technology I am looking for. We currently digitize the portion of the drawing needed to create a waterjet program. The problem comes in at form, check & straight and inspection. That is where we need something full size. All orders are for one off out of production parts so we don't want to invest a great deal of time and money creating full digital data. The laser projector would be great for flat pattern but is not as useful after form. Plus that would require digital input to the system.

 

[berkshire]

The Vertec lazer projector that Composite pro links to can do 90% of what you are asking for. It can inspect water-jet flat patterns for hole dimensions. It can project mold lines onto a sheet for hand marking for manual bending. However as you point out it does need digital input.
The biggest problem with projector systems is avoiding key-stoning, particularly near the edges of the shot.
One alternative is to use inkjet printing to Mylar instead of pen plotting, it is much quicker and the only major expense is the film at $3 to $5 per foot.
B.E.

You are judged not by what you know, but by what you can do.