DeskProto user forum

Lex,

I am currently working on a complex part. (See attached image.) The fact that DeskProto's index machining feature enables me, in my garage, to produce such a part is fantastic.

That said, I am currently on my 4th iteration of the part due to my inability to mentally juggle the various transformations that are required to fabricate the part. My DeskProto project contains 8 distinct parts, each with many machining steps. Juggling those 8 parts in my mind is challenging.

If DeskProto could be enhanced to keep track of the sequential machining of the 8 parts, it would eliminate a dramatic amount of work for me and would save a good bit of aluminum. By keeping track of the sequential machining, I mean transferring either the Z-grids and/or the simulation results from one part to another.

I know that others on the forum have previously requested such a feature. Do you believe that such a feature could be added in the future?

Also, do you know of any ways to manually share Z-grids and/or simulations from one part to another? Perhaps, there is a way to display as a ghost image the simulation from a previous part.

Thank you.

Hoyt

Hi Hoyt,

That is an amazingly complex part to machine !
Indexed machining from 8 sides: it will indeed be challenging to correctly plan this process.

About transferring Z-grids between parts: I assume that you want to use these as visual aids, so not in the calculations (as that would be impossible). What we have on our wish list is a combined simulation of the part: running the toolpaths of all parts over one combined simulation model. Is that what you have in mind ?

This also will be complicated to implement, though not impossible. It will not yet be present in Version 8.1, perhaps in the next major update...

You can already export Z-grids and Simulations as STL file, via Create > Extra > Export...
When you import such STL file it will be visible in all parts. When importing you can give it a rotation that applies to that STL file only. Not sure if that will be useful though, as a view with many items would result.

Would it be possible for you to share some results ? It would be very interesting to see that such complicated 5-axis project can be achieved !

Lex.

Lex,

"Running the toolpaths of all parts over one combined simulation model" is exactly what I am requesting. I am glad to learn that this feature is on your wish list. I would like to add my vote to put the feature near the top of your wish list for version 9.

I will experiment with exporting Z-grids and them transforming them so that I can visually see the results of previous machining. Perhaps, that will be a work-around until version 9 is available.

I will be happy to share the machined part when it is complete. If you don't see a post within a week, then I will be working on version 5 of the part. :)

Hoyt

That looks like three separate parts welded together to me.
Does it really have to be made in one piece?

Martin.

Martin,

I have attached a photo of the original. Difficult to tell if the part contains welds.

Hoyt

More images of this bracket project can be seen in forum topic 1557.