If you decide on a common file format (and it works), then you don't need
to use the same software to create those files. This file sharing would be
easier of course in 2D which is a shame as 3D is sooooo powerful, but better
2D CAD than 0D CAD.
You have plenty of talent to set up an FTP repository for the files. After
a short time you will be cutting and pasting assemblies from your library. IF
you save the files generated for CNC machine control then when you need a part
you can just send the file to the shop (set up notes included please!) and get
it made.
There are so many advantages to going with CAD CAM that I think ERPS ought
to make it a goal to switch over to CAD as a finish to the KISS program. That
is KISS is not finished to you have a set of drawings in a portable file
format. It is worth a couple of months of effort to do this. Although this
won't advance KISS technology it will get you ready for building more complex
machines later. How many drawings has KISS generated so far?
I have been talking mechanical, but all this applies to circuit board
design as well. I know you use a lot of off the shelf, but as you get down the
road a bit you will need specialty items. If the are kept in a library of
files you can just send off to a circuit board house to have them made when
you need them . Of course the mounting holes in the boards would match the
holes in the mounting bracket. You would only have to go through this design
process once, you can correct errors in a CAD file real easy, progress is
built in. Of course use "save as" for the new file and move the old one to the
outdated directory. As a side effect you have a history.
David Masten wrote:
> On Sat, 2002-07-20 at 13:55, Alex Fraser wrote:
> > There was some talk on this list of getting and using a CAD program.
> > Are the current drawings being done with computers? What software have
> > youse guys settled on?
>
> As Dave W pointed out, we have a few people doing pencil drwaings. I am
> playing around with VariCAD which has full solid modeling and is
> available for both Linux and Windows. It has problems though.
>
> We have not found a good solution. A good solution includes the
> following: Available on both Windows and Linux, inexpensive, both
> imports and exports most common interchange formats, and has a bunch of
> useful features. Nothing actually meets those requirements.
>
> Dave
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