Hi all - I'm starting to design some parts for various projects using the very excellent eMachineShop software and service but I'm new to CAD and not clear how to go about learning more. I know that there are CAD/CNC gurus on this site, so I'm hoping that someone will have some advice or pointers for a newbie getting started.

It's not clear to me where I can go to learn the basics, or share experiences with other users. Is there a forum anywhere that has some eMachineShop-specific discussion? Failing that, where do I go to get into this stuff?

For example, one part I need is a shaft machined with a slight taper and some hubs (so it should be turned on a lathe), and a spline (which would require milling). And I can't for the life of me figure out how to do this.


Thanks,
Phil.

cnczone
This site has quite a bit of info on cnc and general milling stuff, hope it's helpful

Last time I checked Dolphin CAD was giving away their CAD package. It can be upgraded to CAM, but most here wouldn't use it. There is a bunch of online training videos on the site to get you started. It is only a 2D package, but it may get you started.

Thanks guys.

I use Autodesk Inventor and couldn't be happier. Search around and I'm sure you can find it.

This is a $10K+ product not exactly the thing to learn on??

Not that it makes much difference, but its only $5k. I wouldn't recommend using it to learn on, but it is the absolute easiest CAD software I've ever touched.

I know joechevy, as well as a couple machinist friends of mine, highly recommend Solidworks. I'm trying get a hand on it also. One of my friends recommended Sketchup for easy modeling and design (www.sketchup.com)

EDIT: I jsut got around to downloading Sketchup, freaking nice and easy as hell to use. Great program to mock up a projector. I got playing with it and had one modeled it 3d within an hour.