When designing what goes where (PCB's, transformer, other hardware etc) in an enclosure, or even determining the required enclosure size to fit the components, is there a simple, dimensionally accurate, CAD program that is suitable?
In particular, I'm trying to find a CAD program that can be used for plotting drill holes, annotation (text) etc in enclosure bases, panels etc.
DWG compatibility would be preferred.
There's a plethora of CAD programs around, many of which would be overkill (and have an associated steep learning curve) for what I require. Added to this is that some of the simpler commercial CAD packages don't seem to have demo downloads (e.g. Turbocad Designer).
2D CAD would, I think, be sufficient but comments from members would be appreciated.
In particular, I'm trying to find a CAD program that can be used for plotting drill holes, annotation (text) etc in enclosure bases, panels etc.
DWG compatibility would be preferred.
There's a plethora of CAD programs around, many of which would be overkill (and have an associated steep learning curve) for what I require. Added to this is that some of the simpler commercial CAD packages don't seem to have demo downloads (e.g. Turbocad Designer).
2D CAD would, I think, be sufficient but comments from members would be appreciated.
I use A9CAD at home because it is free.
It draws the shaped I need and has measurement functions.
There is a bit of a learning curve as I have used AutoCad (2D) at work.
The symbols are very similar (most the same) but they do some things slightly different.
I'm not sure it would be the complete package you are looking for...but it is free.
It draws the shaped I need and has measurement functions.
There is a bit of a learning curve as I have used AutoCad (2D) at work.
The symbols are very similar (most the same) but they do some things slightly different.
I'm not sure it would be the complete package you are looking for...but it is free.
You might take a look at DraftSight from Daussalt. It is close to AutoCad and it's free.
Free CAD software * for your DWG files: DraftSight - Dassault Systèmes
Free CAD software * for your DWG files: DraftSight - Dassault Systèmes
I was going to suggest A9CAD as well.
The low tech approach is to use paper with a grid and the actual components or paper cutouts to represent them.
Free Online Graph Paper / Square Graph Paper PDFs
A university book store should have engineering note pads with a grid pattern that's good for sketching stuff.
The low tech approach is to use paper with a grid and the actual components or paper cutouts to represent them.
Free Online Graph Paper / Square Graph Paper PDFs
A university book store should have engineering note pads with a grid pattern that's good for sketching stuff.
Thank you to one and all. Some very helpful information presented.
As Dangus suggested I looked up the online graph paper and that takes me back more than a few years I can tell you! Actually enjoyed doing the work 'manually' rather than sitting in front of a PC and having first to learn a new program before becoming productive.
It's quite therapeutic 🙂
So, I'll meander through the suggested prormas and and as I have time but for now - and particularly because I'm looking at 'one-offs' I'll stick to graph paper for the placing of 'internals'.
Now where's my T square, compasses et al ....
However, for front panel design I will need a program for third party machining. Any views on a simple program for this?
Full CAD is over kill at this stage but still need DWG for the target supplier Modu.it.
Cheers
As Dangus suggested I looked up the online graph paper and that takes me back more than a few years I can tell you! Actually enjoyed doing the work 'manually' rather than sitting in front of a PC and having first to learn a new program before becoming productive.
It's quite therapeutic 🙂
So, I'll meander through the suggested prormas and and as I have time but for now - and particularly because I'm looking at 'one-offs' I'll stick to graph paper for the placing of 'internals'.
Now where's my T square, compasses et al ....
However, for front panel design I will need a program for third party machining. Any views on a simple program for this?
Full CAD is over kill at this stage but still need DWG for the target supplier Modu.it.
Cheers
One option is, for front/back panels, try Front Panel Express: Front Panel Design Software and CAD Conversion Service. It is free to use and you can get them to fabricate or you can purchase optional software to generate ".dxf" files.
Good reviews as well.
Good reviews as well.
Thanks rsavas for your added input.
I looked up Front panel Design and apparently it can now natively output DXF.
However, if I've read it correctly, it's an infringement of the license to use these DXF files to manufacture panels by a different supplier.
I looked up Front panel Design and apparently it can now natively output DXF.
However, if I've read it correctly, it's an infringement of the license to use these DXF files to manufacture panels by a different supplier.
How complex is your front panel?If its only a coupl of holes scan a quick pencil sketch of it up and I'll see wot I can do.
Thanks for the offer marce. Much appreciated but the design is still somewhere in my head. I'm actually putting the project together at the moment (slowly) and working out the arrangement of the 'sum of the parts'. Right now I'm working on the external PSU. Next are the amp modules..
Where maybe you (or someone) can help is in how to fit an LED to a 10 mm thick front panel? How does one do it? Holes/rebates for switches etc are a doddle but not sure how to mount an LED(s).
I've taken your advice and downloaded the 'quick start guide' for Draftsight and printed it. So I'll be working through the bits and pieces in the next few days (or maybe weeks).
Guess at some time I'm going to have to learn CAD ;-)
Thanks once more!
Where maybe you (or someone) can help is in how to fit an LED to a 10 mm thick front panel? How does one do it? Holes/rebates for switches etc are a doddle but not sure how to mount an LED(s).
I've taken your advice and downloaded the 'quick start guide' for Draftsight and printed it. So I'll be working through the bits and pieces in the next few days (or maybe weeks).
Guess at some time I'm going to have to learn CAD ;-)
Thanks once more!
That's a shame, but there maybe a work around, if you modify the .dxf after you export them are you still in voilation? For a project for your own use, I really do not think it matters, if you are a manufacturer and profit from this activity, then it is another story. It is still a great tool to use to sketch up your thoughts and print them out. I did this, printed out my front panel drawing so I could use it as a template, to do my own fabrication using the drill press & files etc.
Good luck Rick
ou can use somhing like this:
DX1091/YL - BULGIN - LED INDICATOR, 5MM, YELLOW | Farnell United Kingdom
or for a better more modern look, drill a 5mm hole and plug it flush with the panel frot face with some 5mm acrylic rod, then glue or fix the led behind
the acrylic light pipe. Even better use a smaller led than the standard 5mm or have a stepped hole.
You can have fun with LED's and acrylic rod sheets etc using the latter as light pipes.
DX1091/YL - BULGIN - LED INDICATOR, 5MM, YELLOW | Farnell United Kingdom
or for a better more modern look, drill a 5mm hole and plug it flush with the panel frot face with some 5mm acrylic rod, then glue or fix the led behind
the acrylic light pipe. Even better use a smaller led than the standard 5mm or have a stepped hole.
You can have fun with LED's and acrylic rod sheets etc using the latter as light pipes.
Rick, yes, I'd consider importing to say Draftsigh and re-exporting but eventually I guess they supplly 'free software' to make a buck or 2 from the panels which is their right.
So I'll do it the 'hard' way.
Thanks for all your help!
So I'll do it the 'hard' way.
Thanks for all your help!
Marce, actually I buy most of my stuff from Farnell. I work in the Middle East (Kuwait) and Farnell give a great courier service here (the postal service sucks).
The LED you indicate has a chrome collar though which I'm trying to avoid as the panel is 10 mm aluminium.
The light pipe is an interesting idea. Hadn't thought of that. Thanks!
Now I just have to find the acrylic pipe ..
The LED you indicate has a chrome collar though which I'm trying to avoid as the panel is 10 mm aluminium.
The light pipe is an interesting idea. Hadn't thought of that. Thanks!
Now I just have to find the acrylic pipe ..
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