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JnWaco
Oct18-09, 07:42 PM
Hi,

I'm designing a product using very very simple springs and gears and was wondering if there was a good software that can help test designs, preferably an inexpensive program.

The design itself is very simple, and I don't need full blown CAD or anything that stout just yet.
JnWaco
Oct18-09, 09:21 PM
Nevermind - I just drew it by hand - design is simple enough to test with prototypes.
MATLABdude
Oct20-09, 02:30 AM
Nevermind - I just drew it by hand - design is simple enough to test with prototypes.

Years and years ago (about a decade), I took mechanical drafting in high school (complete with old-skool(TM) drafting machines, exhortations to rotate the lead to maintain constant line thickness, and erasing shields).

To this day, I draw (admittedly simple) one-off mechanical / prototype drawings with H or 2H lead and dimensioning, and then just photocopy the drawing to give to the machine shop (which conveniently eliminates the gridding, increases the contrast, and prevents smudging / destruction of original).

Nice skill to have when you need something quick and dirty, and good way to work on the mental imaging / visualization abilities.
JnWaco
Oct21-09, 09:53 AM
Years and years ago (about a decade), I took mechanical drafting in high school (complete with old-skool(TM) drafting machines, exhortations to rotate the lead to maintain constant line thickness, and erasing shields).

To this day, I draw (admittedly simple) one-off mechanical / prototype drawings with H or 2H lead and dimensioning, and then just photocopy the drawing to give to the machine shop (which conveniently eliminates the gridding, increases the contrast, and prevents smudging / destruction of original).

Nice skill to have when you need something quick and dirty, and good way to work on the mental imaging / visualization abilities.


Yeah, I like to draw, and the concept I'm working on is super simple. I need to go read up on motor sizes, battery capacity, etc., now!
inventeer
Oct22-09, 01:34 AM
You might want to check Solid Edge for a Free 2D CAD program.