CAD Programs

[TYZ 67]

Anyone use CAD (Computer Aided Design) Programs to build their chassis' or suspension. If so what programs are best/easy to use. I bought the Chassis Engineering book by Herb Adam already. Thanks in advance.

Tyler

[greencactus3]

ive been using autodesk inventor for mine.
its my favorite out of all the 3d modeling software ive used.
solidworks, ug, catia, pro-e.
but solidworks was pretty nice too

[freebird]

i have been using Cad programs for the last 15 years. By far the best system that i have used is solidworks. It is the most freindly solid design system and it is a very powerfull system.

[DDY RCKT]

I love Solidworks. Been using it for years. I have a need for the integrated FEA, though, which is why I haven't tried Inventor. I'm sure it's fine. Problem is, those are expensive! I have license to use them at home because of work.

However, most people don't have the money or luxury of the licensing. There are alternatives. I've used this one a bit, and I do really like the interface. Perhaps not as robust as some of the others, but if you are just starting out, it's really well equiped as a learning tool. Best part about it, if you can deal with the constant stream of email spam, is it's FREE!

CoCreate OneSpace (http://www.cocreate.com/products/ModelingPE-Overview.aspx)

[jannes_z-28]

If you just want to start out with simple stuff you can try Google Sketchup. There is a large community around it with people sharing stuff. There is a lot of autostuff to find there.

Best of all it is free!


Jan

[DDY RCKT]

If you just want to start out with simple stuff you can try Google Sketchup. There is a large community around it with people sharing stuff. There is a lot of autostuff to find there.

Best of all it is free!


Jan

:thumbsup:

It's a pretty robust program for what it is.

[TYZ 67]

Thanks everyone. I just downloaded the Google one. Is there a specific portion that involves chassis or suspension or are you only able to do a 3D diagram of what you want to build?

[warren1328]

I use Inventor every day for work &, while it took some adjusting after 15 years on AutoCAD/Mech Desktop, it's pretty easy & the graphics & libraries & calculations are excellent

[greencactus3]

i have heard that solidworks will send you older versions for free if you give them a call.
being a student, i can get most of these software for free so i dont need to bother trying :D

[DDY RCKT]

Thanks everyone. I just downloaded the Google one. Is there a specific portion that involves chassis or suspension or are you only able to do a 3D diagram of what you want to build?

Go download CoCreate. It's free, and gives you a comparison tool. Google sketchup is a little bit more for landscape modelling than what you want to do, at least that's what it was originally intended for. It has evolved, but it's not really meant for what you want, you know?

[B Schein]

Trying to design your suspension from scratch in a solid modeling program is kind of difficult. On or Formula SAE car we used a combination of Mitchell (win geo), Adams Car and Optimum K to get the geometry points. Then we did a Solidworks mock up to verify all the planes and used that model to design all the suspension hard parts and the rest of the car.

[ironworks]

Hay Tyler we use Solidworks at my shop if your needing some actual seat time. I believe you still live in Bako.

Rodger