AutoCad/PlasmaCAM Files?

Equipment Proton Packs
1

Hey guys, I have decided to start up on a new Proton Pack for my Industrial Math course for the following year. We have to make a project involving wood (MDF), plastic (PVC), and metal (aluminum) into something we can wear or carry. I figured the Proton pack would be perfect for this. I was going to make the motherboard out of Aluminum, and we have a PlasmaCAM cutter in our metal shop. Using the software isn’t fun, nor is it friendly to our measurements from the plans, but it can import AutoCad files. However, our school doesn’t offer AutoCad, so I’m stuck there.

Anyone know if they ever have been, or if anyone has (or could make? :cool: ) just the plans for the motherboard of a Proton pack?

2

This might be possible with some minimal clean up.

Take Stefan’s PDF of the motherboard and open it up in AutoCAD, or similar CAD program. Extract the vectors for the motherboard, scale to size and you’re done.

If not.. it would probably take about 15-20 minutes to redraw the motherboard in CAD software.

3

I want to see a build! Awesome math project!

4

The problem is that we don’t have any CAD software at school. Unless you know of a decent, free program I can get and use at home? Otherwise I’ll see if anyone who I know has AutoCAD can do it for me.

5

What filetypes can you import into the CNC cutter?

6

You have cutters but no software to make the files? Why isn’t that part of the class?

7

The software is known as PlasmaCAM however we are told if you want to learn to use it, you have to read the book. I’ve read half of it, and no where does it say anything about being able to draw something with a curve. Infact, it reccommends importing from AutoCAD just to make anything. It’s some old school shit.

As for it being a part of the class, the metals part of the class only taught us welding, so most people are going to be cutting and welding things together. I’m going a step above!

1 Like
8

If it can import AutoCAD, chances are it can import anything that’s a 2D drawing. Honestly, your professor should be able to suggest something.

9

I wouldn’t be surprised if you can use .ai or .eps formats, in which case I have plans I’ve been working on for the majority of the pack & parts finished. You should find out for sure what it can natively use.

10

You might be able to import the PDF directly into PlasmaCAM.

11

I tried and it wont accept .pdf’s.

However, a friend of mine can operate the software and he’ll be either helping me with PlasmaCAM, or writing up an AutoCAD file for the hell of it.

12

I have done a model in Catia v5 of the proton pack and most of the thrower. I can give you a dxf file of the mother board which hopefully auto cad can bring in. I’m not 100% sure if it does as I’ve not used auto cad for years

13

If you’re using Stefan’s mobo dimensions, you need to check the radius of the top right corner.

14

AutoCAD will import .dxf files if they are created in the same or earlier release.

I use it everyday, but only 2-dimensionally.

15

What parts do you plan on machining and on what machines? If you have any machining questions both cnc or manual I have an exstensive background in the field so don’t be afraid to ask.