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Old 01-02-2019, 02:24 PM
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astronwolf astronwolf is offline
Lost his Drifter
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Northeast Ohio
Posts: 1,277
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Feyd
Does anyone have a line on DXF or SVG files for fins, centering rings,
rocket stands, etc?

I was thinking about starting to design my own stands, but didn't want
to reinvent the wheel. I'm sure with the huge amount of experience on
this forum someone has already done this.

I use Corel Draw to draw simple shapes for fins, centering rings, etc. Based on my experience working with laser cutters is that every file needs tweeking. I have no expectation of being able to draw a 2.000-inch circle (for example) and have the laser cut a 2.000-inch diameter part from that drawing.

I use whatever cutter is available at the maker center that I go to. I always make test cuts and test fit the parts. Depending on the machine, the 2.000-inch diameter circle in the drawing might end up a 1.992-inch diameter bulkhead, or it might be a 2.006-inch diameter bulkhead. It's going to be a too loose or too tight fit in ST-20 tubing, for example. The variability has to do with the thickness of the laser beam at the surface of the part (the kerf), which varies from machine to machine, how well the beam can be focused, and even the thickness and type of material that I am cutting. The drawing has to be scaled so that I can account for the laser cutter's kerf and the material that I am cutting. Once I get the drawing dialed in to a particular machine, I can create parts that have the dimensions and tolerance that I want.

So, in my opinion, getting some stock drawing that someone else made is kind of useless. The drawing will still need to be worked on. Your best bet is to pick whatever software that is compatible with the work you want to do, and learn how to use it to draw your own parts.
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