SolidWorks 2017 Multiple Start Threads
Today we are going to talk about the enhanced functionality to the Thread feature in SolidWorks 2017, mainly using multiple start threads. There are various reasons why someone might use threads with multiple starts. The main one is that it allows the lead distance of a thread to be increased, without changing its pitch. This proves useful when fine threads are required, but at the same time you want a quick advance, for example like that on camera lenses. In our examples, we have a single thread with a pitch of 1/8”. One full turn gives us a Lead of 1/8”. And in the other, we have a 4-start thread. One full turn here, gives us a Lead of 1/2", allowing for a quick connect and disconnect. In both examples, however, 1/8” pitch is maintained. Another design advantage of a multi-start thread is that more contact surface is engaged in a single thread rotation. A common example is a cap on a plastic water bottle. The cap will screw on in one quick turn but because a multi-start thread was used, there are multiple threads fully engaged to securely hold the cap in place. In addition, because the lead angle is [...]
Employee Spotlight – Russell Jennison
Today we would like to introduce you to Russell Jennison, our Post Processor Manager here at Cimquest. Here are some interesting tidbits of information to get to know him a little better. 1. What are your responsibilities at Cimquest? Post processors are the link between Mastercam and individual machining centers. I customize these to maximize customer productivity and make sure every machine a customer wants to utilize talks effectively with Mastercam. I am building a library of technology and a team to better service our customers as Cimquest expands. 2. What industry do you come from? I have always worked in manufacturing or engineering design in various forms with over 10 years in the CNC realm. 3. Where are you from (hometown)? Brampton Ontario. A suburb of Toronto. I was born in Wales UK, but my family moved to Canada when I was two years old. 4. What is your educational background? University of Waterloo - Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc) in Mechanical Engineering 5. How long have you worked at Cimquest? 2017 will be my 6th year. 6. What are your hobbies? Music performance and recording. Yoga. Being outside. 7. What do you enjoy most about your job? Solving problems all day [...]
Introduction to 3D Metal Printing with Desktop Metal
Join Cimquest and Desktop Metal on Friday, May 19th at 9 AM for an informative webinar on 3D Metal printing, a new and affordable addition to the 3D metal printing industry. This new technology promises to be a game changer in the way products are brought to market in the future. You don’t want to miss this opportunity to learn more about it. In this webinar Ben Arnold from Desktop Metal will provide an introduction to 3D metal printing with Desktop Metal. Both the desktop Studio system and the Production system will be reviewed, including their unique applications. Register today to learn how Desktop Metal plans to reinvent the way engineering and manufacturing teams produce metal parts - from prototyping through mass production. WEBINAR DETAILS Friday, May 19th 9:00 AM EDT Free to attend online Just click the button below to go to the registration page. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. [button link="https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/782081904009711875" color="default" size="" stretch="" type="" shape="" target="_self" title="" gradient_colors="|" gradient_hover_colors="|" accent_color="" accent_hover_color="" bevel_color="" border_width="1px" icon="" icon_divider="yes" icon_position="left" modal="" animation_type="0" animation_direction="down" animation_speed="0.1" animation_offset="" alignment="left" class="" id=""]Register Here[/button]
Simplify Sacrificial Tooling with 3D Printing
The Problem: Complex composite parts with hollow interiors are difficult to manufacture. Complex composite structures, with hollow interiors, present unique manufacturing challenges where internal tooling, generally referred to as a cores or mandrel, is required to define the hollow internal features. Any part configuration that traps the mandrel inside the composite part, requires sacrificial tooling* or a more complex, collapsible or inflatable tool. *Sacrificial tooling – tooling that is only used once and must be broken or washed out. Current sacrificial tooling technology uses materials such as eutectic salts, ceramics, cast urethanes and other similar materials. These options present many challenges, including: Difficulty handling due to fragile material properties Require tooling to produce Limit design freedom due to production or removal methods The Solution: 3D Printing (Additive Manufacturing) Stratasys FDM® technology is capable of producing geometries in dissolvable thermoplastic materials. Although these materials were originally developed to serve as support structures to enable printing highly complex geometries, OEMs and tier suppliers in the automotive and aerospace industries have been utilizing their unique dissolving properties for sacrificial mandrels. In an effort to improve their solution and value to the sacrificial tooling market, Stratasys released a new soluble material dubbed ST130™ along with an in-depth [...]
Nylon 12CF – New 3D Printing Material
There is a new game-changing thermoplastic material for the Stratasys FDM family called Nylon 12CF. The CF is an abbreviation for carbon filled. In this material, chopped carbon fibers are added to a proven FDM Nylon 12 polymer blend resulting in one of the strongest thermoplastics in the FDM material portfolio. Commercial production of carbon fiber began in the early 1960's, resulting from requirements for lighter weight parts and alternatives to metal. Its low thermal expansion, heat resistance, and chemical stability made it a viable solution for aerospace parts as it offered ten-times the strength of steel at one-quarter of the weight. Over the years, the use of carbon fiber branched out into many other industries. It is extremely popular in performance racing, where it is used to create composites that are light and have exceptional fatigue characteristics. For 3D printing, Nylon 12 CF provides the highest flexural strength and highest stiffness-to-weight ratio of any FDM material currently produced and a tensile strength on par with other high-performance FDM materials. Appropriate uses include strong but lightweight tooling, functional prototypes and end-use parts in aerospace, automotive, recreational and industrial applications. In tooling applications, thermoplastics might have the strength but lack the rigidity that is [...]
Reverse Engineering Sheet Metal to a Flat Pattern
Today we are going to talk about how to reverse engineer a used sheet metal part back to its original flat pattern. This can be challenging at times, since sheet metal parts tend to bend and distort with normal use. Geomagic Design X can assist you in interrogating the geometry of the part, and reverse engineering it back to the original un-warped shape. After scanning the part, you can import the resulting point cloud into Geomagic Design X and clean up scan file. Next, convert the points to a polygonal mesh, and Auto Segment the mesh. By auto-segmenting the mesh, Design X creates regions made up of polygons that have similar curvature values. Thus, it becomes easy to identify and interrogate geometric shapes. You can then use these regions to create and establish your Datums. At this point, you can start reverse engineering your CAD file by tracing over the mesh profiles, and creating real 2D and 3D geometry. Design X keeps a CAD history tree of everything you’re doing. When you have captured enough information from your polygonal mesh, you can then export your work to your CAD software. In CAD, you can complete your design by converting your solid model into [...]