WIP- CAD database of rods and tubes for mosaic pins- Release 1.0 available

Schleifstein

Schleifstein

Joined
May 19, 2013
Messages
185
So, in the course of trying to work out some mosaic pin designs I put my CAD skills to use drafting out a design on screen to check for tolerances and such. Drafting everything from scratch was getting tedious, so I started making blocks that are easier to move around and copy over and over. Then, instead of going out on the web to to find one particular tube or rod size to fit my design I thought, why not draft the supplier's whole catalogue so I have all the blocks ready to go and I can just go nuts?

The point of this database is to work from stock sizes I know are available, so I don't have to tear my hair out trying to find the last piece for my design.

I will make this CAD file available here soon (dropbox link) along with a link to an open source CAD program for those who want to try it out.

If someone has a supplier for small diameter copper, brass, nickel silver, etc, PLEASE let me know. So far I've been googling "copper tube" and seeing what I find, but no one seems to have a really comprehensive selection. This will go much faster :D if you guys have some tips. I've already been referencing McMaster.com alot as well as redmetals.com.

Thanks for looking!







 
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Sandow said:
Small diameter being a relative thing... jewelry supply houses have wire in many sizes

nickel silver
http://www.thunderbirdsupply.com/product.aspx?cat=ZC

copper
http://www.thunderbirdsupply.com/product.aspx?cat=ZW

brass
http://www.thunderbirdsupply.com/product.aspx?cat=YW

-Sandow
Click to expand...


Thanks, Sandow! I hadn't thought of jewelry suppliers. My only concern is that the wire needs to be completely straight so the pattern at one end of the tube matches the other end. Does anyone have a favorite method for straightening wire? I guess you could cram a bent wire into the "V" form by a piece of steel angle and tap on it while rotating.
 
I'm also adding a handy chart that converts from standard to metric, in case you can't find the standard size and want to use the closest metric in a pinch.



Btw, I'm using a .0035" gap offset around all the material, for epoxy to flow between the materials, per a comment elsewhere on BF. It's the magenta linetype in the posted photos. Does that sound good to you guys? Should I go bigger or small in the glue gap?
 
Ok, here we go. I'll call this the beta release because I still have a BUNCH of stock sizes to load into it. Experienced CAD users should have no trouble. Please comment on your experience and things you would like to have seen added or fixed.

The database file can be gotten here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/zcdhk9pauz2jo7w/Pin Patterns Beta.dwg




If you don't have AutCAD, but do have a functioning .edu email from your school you can get the full AutoDesk Software Suite FOR FREE!. You just need basic AutoCAD 2014 to use this file. I STRONGLY RECOMMEND YOU GO YOUTUBE SOME "BASICS" VIDEOS IF YOU HAVE NO PRIOR CAD EXPERIENCE -- Don't be shy;) It's not as hard as you think.

http://students.autodesk.com/?nd=download_center

If you do not have a .edu email, then try out on of these freeware CAD programs:

NanoCAD http://nanocad.com/

DraftSight http://www.3ds.com/products-services/draftsight/overview/#vid1

Siemens SoldEdge http://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/en_us/products/velocity/solidedge/free2d/index.shtml
 
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Very nice of you to share this. I'll have to d/l this at work and check it out.
Thanks man.
 
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