Fusor CAD models
Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2010 1:59 pm
Recently I've noticed a few people making CAD models of their fusors before/after building them, probably for presentation purposes.
However, having used AutoCAD, SolidEdge, and Inventor, I know this can be a very tedious process.
In case it interest you though, Inventor is BY FAR the best program to use. I'm entering ISEF this year (as a competitor - last year I was an observer, too young to actually participate), and I of course would need a lot of technical data/analyses for the apparatus. Inventor lets you perform stress analyses on the actual chamber, so stress points can be highlighted.
Okay, I know this is starting to sound like an advertisement now, but the point being, if you are going to try to make a CAD model of your fusor, use Inventor. It's a bit more complicated than AutoCAD, but the options you have when you are finished are so much greater.
Attached is an exploded diagram of my reactor. (This is one of Inventor's downsides, though - a very tedious explosion method: their "automatic" explosion consists of you either manually tweaking each part, or settling for a poor idw sheet.)
Hope this random comment/advice helps.
Ben Bartlett
However, having used AutoCAD, SolidEdge, and Inventor, I know this can be a very tedious process.
In case it interest you though, Inventor is BY FAR the best program to use. I'm entering ISEF this year (as a competitor - last year I was an observer, too young to actually participate), and I of course would need a lot of technical data/analyses for the apparatus. Inventor lets you perform stress analyses on the actual chamber, so stress points can be highlighted.
Okay, I know this is starting to sound like an advertisement now, but the point being, if you are going to try to make a CAD model of your fusor, use Inventor. It's a bit more complicated than AutoCAD, but the options you have when you are finished are so much greater.
Attached is an exploded diagram of my reactor. (This is one of Inventor's downsides, though - a very tedious explosion method: their "automatic" explosion consists of you either manually tweaking each part, or settling for a poor idw sheet.)
Hope this random comment/advice helps.
Ben Bartlett