CAD for custom knife design?

O

old_engineer

Joined
Jun 22, 1999
Messages
67
How many of you (if any) are using some form of CAD system to design your knives?

My background is that of a mechanical design engineer. I have used computer aided design tools since their inception and have a high end, 3D CAD system in place as part of my consulting business (which is getting almost no attention since I determined to learn knife making). (This is not a troll by the way, I'm not actively pursuing design work right now.) I have designed several fixed blade knives on my system, and tried several strategies for developing designs that would be flexible (easy to modify based on customer or task requirements), while still being esthetically equal to what I could produce using sketches. I'm still thinking about this, but I've reached a couple of conclusions:

1. I can probably work effectively designing fixed blades on CAD, although the appeal of my designs has yet to be judged.

2. Some changes are easy (scaling a design, combining a blade with a different handle), some are harder ("noodling" a design to optimize it visually).

3. The design of fixtures to aid in the knife making process almost "falls out of the computer" as the knife is designed.

4. The real power of CAD will be more apparent in the design of folders.

At any rate, I'd be very interested in your experiences. I'd also be happy to have continuing discussions on the use of CAD as a knife making tool. These could be either on or off line.

Thanks,
Bob Couture, the old engineer
 
old engineer.
You might E-mail Larry Chew he in heavy into CAD Designing of his own knives and does design work for many well known production knife makers (Ti knives and mission are the two that I know of)
Hope this helps.
chewman@swbell.net

Kevin

[This message has been edited by K Robinson (edited 17 November 1999).]
 
i'm pretty sure it's used in cnc machinery. i'm also pretty sure it's used in folder design too. i think it's the price wich stops most makers from using it.
 
I use a program called autosketch. Sort of a CAD for dummies.
wink.gif
It's easy to use with no commands to learn. It reminds me of an etch-a-sketch. I start with my 3 points, pivot/backstop and liner split. Then design the blade and make the handle to fit! Program even rotates the blade inside the handle to check for clearances etc. I don't miss the old paper and pencils and erasers anymore!
smile.gif
 
old engineer,
My college training was in drafting and design with an emphasis in mechanical design.
I used to do CAD work for a living (major burnout). After almost 10 years of being out of the game i bought a simple program called
QUICKCAD. It will probably take me a while to get the hang of it. So much has changed since the last time i used a CAD system. I too am looking to use this for folder design.

Barry
 
I use Auto Cad lite for all kinds of stuff!

Helps with folders a bunch! AutoCad LT 97 is as good as Auto Cad 11 it replaced!

I have been known to draw a hole pattern with Cad, glue or tape the drawing to the part, center punch thru the drawing and drill.

Have also been known to draw a knife with Auto Cad, glue the drawing to the steel and grind to the line.

I wouldn'y be without it!

Doug
 
O.E.,
I program, setup and run CNC lathes, mills and grinders at my full time job. All of our parts are designed in AutCad. I have to taylor the CAM generated programs for our particular machines to the point where I manually write a lot of them! I used AutoCad to draw two liner lock folders. Not being very fast with it, I could have done it on paper in a fraction of the time! If I ever get into doing more folders, I would like to check out AutoCad Lite. That seems to have more than enough capability for what I need without all the 3D modeling and wire frame views. I've seen a knife made by Larry Chew and they are PRECISION!
Neil

------------------
Just updated 10/31!! New Knives, New Pics!!!
http://www.geocities.com/Eureka/Meeting/5520/index.html

 
Dr. Lathe:

I purchased AutoCad Lite to keep the cost down! Full blown AutoCad is over $2K and lite is less than $500. It works for every thing I ever asked it to do!! I don't need the 3d stuff ether. By the way, programs are out there cheap that will take an AutoCad file and write a tool path for you! Saves much time if making a complex part!

Doug
 
I am currently running Surfcam. I have also used Master CAM and played some with AutoCAD. SurfCAM is by far IMO a superior package. I also make use of Digitizing equipment. Nearly all of my CAD work involves the design of molds and fixturing for the manufacture of Thermo sheet products. (Kydex Sheaths and holsters) However for therapy I occasionally design knives. One of my favorite routs to go is to take a hand sketch and then digitize it (yes I know that is cheating … but I do not have much time) this rapidly eliminates many of the steps needed to remove the mechanical look that some CAD knives have. I could also use this same process to reproduce a quality handmade. CAD & CAM is the way to go for the best possible knives.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top