I am currently looking for some ideas to create in autodesk inventor. I am in a class and we are starting on projects. I have already made a clamp to hold my Beseler lens, I will hopefully be rapid prototyping it sometime next week. If anyone has any ideas or any drawings that they would like to share, I could see about getting them into 3d. I will try to get a picture of my clamp drawing up soon. I will also take a picture of the rapid prototype when I get it done. So if you have any ideas pleas post thm

Is this a mechanics software only, or can you test an optical system as well?

Hey, good luck. Once upon a time I was an architectural draftsman, and I've always loved Autocad. Later on, I started doing some mechanical drawings, and eventually picked-up on Solidworks. I did use Inventor for a little while, and to be honest, I can't remember why I switched to Solidworks. Especially now that Autocad Mechanical is some-what integrated with Inventor. Autodesk's software has always made other CAD programs seem tedious and "doodle-y". Anyways, Good luck, I wish I could send you some solidworks files to re-draft into Inventor, but, I think it'd be best if I did that myself.

r

A few weeks ago i tried to improve my CAD skills too.
I was looking for things to construct, that are challenging but don't keep you occupied with for days .
e.g drawing a PC fan was fun,
I did it in ProE though.

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wahaca It is just mechanical software. To the best of my knowledge you can not do optical tests on it.
I have never used solid works or anything else besides autocad and google sketchup. I like inventor the best so far it is far less tedious than autocad, and it seems just as powerful. Obviously though if I was doing 2d drawings autocad would be the way to go.
That PC fan is pretty cool, I think I may try my luck at it, the fan blades look a little tricky though.
Here is a drill jig i drew up on inventor, I am making a real model out of metal, pretty much all of the surfaces are ground so it is a pain in the ass. The V-block has to be square within +/- .0003.

and Here is a robotic arm that I made.

I am not entirely sure I'm on the right track here, as far as what you're asking for, but if you could prototype a light engine for the 575w lamp that has a built-in cut out and mount for the pro reflector, plus an adjustable mount for a precondenser, I think you'd have quite a few customers lined up to purchase it (the 575w is really popular with builders right now, but most are trying to rip light engines out of older projectors and OHPs.)

That robot arm looks great. Didn't know you can do that with Inventor.

I was bored and had to digitize a clothespin.
The spring was kinda tough..

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Sensibul I think the problem with trying to rapid prototype is it makes the part in photopolymer, which is a plastic so the heat would probably be a problem. Thats why I came up with the clamp basically a mechanical part. Although next semester I will have access to a cnc brake, and tons of cnc mills, lathes ect. So if I get one rapid done I could maybe get some done next semester out of sheet metal, That is if I get all of my projects done. ??????? the possibilities....
If anyone wants to know more about rapid prototyping this site is good.
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/stereolith.htm
I personaly don't know a whole lot about them...but I am learning.
Here is an example of a part made on a prototyping machine.

And by the way that clothes pin looks cool. The robot arm I did as an assembly so its pretty cool you can click on the different piviot points and make the finger move and stuff.

Another cool thing about rapid prototyping is you can take your finished prototype and make a sand mold out of it. Then you can take and pour metal into the sand cavity and make a cast part. It is called sand casting. Alot of people do it diy right in their garage. That would possibly be another option but as of now I dont have that option

Hi sensibul

Was just wondering if you would be able to send me the information about the 575w bulb base and so on to build a light engine. I to have a little experience in solid works and have designed a few bit and pieces and then had them cut out in sheet metal with a robotic plasma owned by a friend. I would quiet easily be able to design and build them for probably a reasonable price.


I have attached a file of a piece I did for work ( My farther and I have a small manufacturing business)


If anyone is interested let me know


Cheers

Christian

Here

are some photos I took of the rusty prototype

sorry about the quality use my phone

cheers

Christian

HDTVaddict has done some nice models of the 575w bulb itself and one variety of fixture. You can check 'em out in this thead. Maybe he can send the models to you?

As far as the rest of it, I think starting a new thread and asking for feedback/interest would be your best bet. I'm more or less set with my setup, though I'd consider buying something custom built for the pro reflector and a 4.5" diameter condenser.

Something along the lines of the 150w light engine johnzo used to sell (or maybe still does?), but one that could be mounted horizontally or vertically, and have adjustable mounts for the reflector and condenser.

Cool stuff Rotorhead. We just got a CNC Laser and a water jet this semester @ school. My instructor has been doing some pretty cool stuff on them. I am yet to have the pleasure of using them. They are pretty intimidating

Hi

I haven't had any experience with the water cutters and the lasers although I do know with the lasers you can cut extremely large depth and still have a high degree of accuracy. The plasma that I have access to is only good for cutting up to 10-15mm. Although they also have a high def plasma cutter which can cut deeper. here is a link to the companies website.

http://www.advancedrobotic.com/plasma.htm

cheers

could you post your fan file?

Hmm.. File is to big for upload (even compressed). Send me an pm pls.

wow after looking at this many time I just realized that I also use auto desk inventer, its a great program. Do you think you could make the 575w HMI bulb and holder?

sorry,but i have to bring something up.

Sent HDTVaddict that fan file, although it may not be so great it took my nearly 2 days to finish that fan. Did i get back a little "thank you" or something, no.
Ok, can live with that.
Lately some other user send me about 3! personal messages, saying he needs urgent help with a spring he has to do.
Although i am not working with Autodesk Inventor i described how i would do it ( general) and even looked up the right tutorial for him.
I asked him to tell me if it worked for him. Did i ever get a response, no.
This p***** me off somehow.

I don't expect anybody to fall on his knees in thankfulness but a little feedback would be nice sometimes.

P.S.: now i feel better.

Ok so I know its been awhile but I got really busy with school I did however manage to get my clamp in both virtual form and a rapid prototype. I did find a few flaws after I had done a stress analysis in inventor. I should have made the two holes on the outside opposing tabs oblong, because they move when the clamp is clamped. I also stupidly thought for some reason as I was designing it for my lens that my lens diameter was 3in so I made it that way. Big mistake my lens is actually 4in duh..... Well here it is in virtual My design did change a little befor I prototyped it.

And Real Life

I just wish I had designed it properly. Also Most of my projects rendered together

I am going to try to further a "carrer" in "drafting" so if everyone likes to see them I will continue to post.
Thanks AJ

Here is my final project I did for my class

Hi

I must say they are some pretty sweet models.

As I know how much work goes into building these models I appreciate you previewing some of your models even if they are not related to diy projector. I would also like to ad some models that I have been working on ( sorry to hijack your blog) I have included A few bits and pieces that I did for my projector

cheers

That was a IEC power socket that includes a fuse and a switch just to state the bleeding obvious. Also here is the standard triplet and pro-reflector models as well. have done a few others bu they are not quite finished yet.

No thats cool I wouldn't exactly call this a blog...You have some great stuff. I enjoy seeing what other people are doing. But ne way you said you do all of your work in pro e is that correct? I have been thinking about buying solidworks because I can get a sweet deal on a two year license since I am a student. And everyone who has cad pictures should post....as I said I like to see what other people are working on.

Hi

No I have done all my models in solid works. And after learning it a little bit and then buying a text book I feel I would never use another program again I recommend solid works because it is just a sweet program although my vista laptop has a little issue with it but i think that is because its vista x64 scrapping vista to go back to xp vista is shite.

P.S. sorry for the late reply been a bit busy at work and was on holiday's on the Gold Coast for The Big Day Out music festival.

cheers

christian

this is my triplet.
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CAD vs. Reality

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Thats great g247 What program did you do that in? Also how long have you been doing cad?