JoeShabadu2000
Mechanical
- Sep 12, 2012
- 1
I just want to start by saying that I am brand new to CAD and CAD programs, so I apologize if any of this is too general.
I am working on designing a pinball machine, and I am planning on designing the playfield using a 2D CAD program. My goal is to be able to take this CAD drawing and use it on a 3 axis CNC router, which will then drill and route the playfield. Based on the availability of good tutorials (and excellent price), I selected DraftSight to start learning on. I have completed the "Getting Started" tutorial PDF provided by Dassault, and I think the program will do what I want, but I wanted to run my plan by some more experienced people to make sure I'm not missing a step or going completely down the wrong path.
As I see it, my CAD file will have a total of 5 main layers (plus comment layers or construction layers as needed):
Bottom - Where the parts will be placed on the bottom of the playfield
BottomPilot - Where pilot holes should be drilled on the bottom of the playfield (holes will not go through the material)
Holes - Holes that will be drilled/routed completely through the playfield
TopPilot - Where pilot holes should be drilled on the top of the playfield
Top - Where the parts will be placed on the top of the playfield
I intend to create blocks (one for each component) that will be on multiple layers. For example, the flipper component will be a block that has a Bottom layer that includes the mounting bracket, a BottomPilot layer showing where the pilot holes should be drilled to attach the mounting bracket to the bottom of the playfield, a Hole layer that includes the 1/2" diameter hole that needs to be drilled through the playfield, and a Top layer that shows the flipper bat itself. I will then position these blocks in their proper locations until everything looks the way I want it.
I know I will need to use a CAM application to convert the final DXF/DWG file into GCode that can operate on the router. Since the Bottom and Top layers do not affect the playfield itself, I will not be using those for routing purposes. I assume that I will need to run 3 separate programs on the router, one each for BottomPilot, Holes, and TopPilot, while flipping the playfield over once so that the router can work on each side separately.
So, my questions at this point are:
- Does it seem like the way I am conceiving of the layer setup will get me to my end goal? Should I be looking in to using a 3D CAD program instead?
- I plan on doing the design from the top side of the playfield, which means that the Bottom and BottomPilot layers will show the locations as they appear from the top side, not as they appear from the bottom which is is what will be required when the router is working on that face. Will I need to somehow "mirror" the BottomPilot layer in my CAD file before sending it to the router, or is this something that a CAM application can be made aware of and handle on its own?
- Does anyone have experience with using freely available CAM programs to take their 2D CAD and accomplish a similar goal? Any recommendations on what CAM software you used?
Thanks very much for any help.
I am working on designing a pinball machine, and I am planning on designing the playfield using a 2D CAD program. My goal is to be able to take this CAD drawing and use it on a 3 axis CNC router, which will then drill and route the playfield. Based on the availability of good tutorials (and excellent price), I selected DraftSight to start learning on. I have completed the "Getting Started" tutorial PDF provided by Dassault, and I think the program will do what I want, but I wanted to run my plan by some more experienced people to make sure I'm not missing a step or going completely down the wrong path.
As I see it, my CAD file will have a total of 5 main layers (plus comment layers or construction layers as needed):
Bottom - Where the parts will be placed on the bottom of the playfield
BottomPilot - Where pilot holes should be drilled on the bottom of the playfield (holes will not go through the material)
Holes - Holes that will be drilled/routed completely through the playfield
TopPilot - Where pilot holes should be drilled on the top of the playfield
Top - Where the parts will be placed on the top of the playfield
I intend to create blocks (one for each component) that will be on multiple layers. For example, the flipper component will be a block that has a Bottom layer that includes the mounting bracket, a BottomPilot layer showing where the pilot holes should be drilled to attach the mounting bracket to the bottom of the playfield, a Hole layer that includes the 1/2" diameter hole that needs to be drilled through the playfield, and a Top layer that shows the flipper bat itself. I will then position these blocks in their proper locations until everything looks the way I want it.
I know I will need to use a CAM application to convert the final DXF/DWG file into GCode that can operate on the router. Since the Bottom and Top layers do not affect the playfield itself, I will not be using those for routing purposes. I assume that I will need to run 3 separate programs on the router, one each for BottomPilot, Holes, and TopPilot, while flipping the playfield over once so that the router can work on each side separately.
So, my questions at this point are:
- Does it seem like the way I am conceiving of the layer setup will get me to my end goal? Should I be looking in to using a 3D CAD program instead?
- I plan on doing the design from the top side of the playfield, which means that the Bottom and BottomPilot layers will show the locations as they appear from the top side, not as they appear from the bottom which is is what will be required when the router is working on that face. Will I need to somehow "mirror" the BottomPilot layer in my CAD file before sending it to the router, or is this something that a CAM application can be made aware of and handle on its own?
- Does anyone have experience with using freely available CAM programs to take their 2D CAD and accomplish a similar goal? Any recommendations on what CAM software you used?
Thanks very much for any help.