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EXPANDING YOUR HORIZONS

Using CAD Mechanical Software in Design Projects
by George Martin

Start ı Drawing The Line ı Scaling New Heights ı Fitting In ı Sources and PDF

FITTING IN

Looking at the total problem, I printed out all of the parts that needed to fit inside the enclosure. I then cut out the parts from the drawings, allowing me to move them about looking for ways to fit them in the box. I need to plug cards in the card cage, so I didnıt want to hide that cage in the enclosure.

Also, I need to be able to remove each of the internal components individually if possible. I probably could have (should have) done this step on the screen, but I didnıt feel as comfortable with that approach. However, if I had a lot of parts to package, the computer would have been the better approach. As I get more comfortable with the software, Iım sure Iıll switch to the screen. The last step, creating all of the views I needed to check for fit, I did on the screen.

After my experimenting, I concluded that if you have a packaging project, need to design and detail a mechanical component, or just want to use mechanical CAD for a hobby project, either software will fit the bill. Also, the cost is not prohibitive. And, Iım sure there are a variety of CAD software packages available.

I havenıt tried to generate illustrations like the ones you find in userıs manuals. You need more artistic skill than I have to produce complex diagrams. However, I see cable drawings as a probable next task on my list. Iıll give you an update after Iıve completed a couple more projects.

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