"Stuart Fields" wrote in message
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"bildan" wrote in message
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On May 18, 7:44 am, routund wrote:
wrote:
conclusions are similar to the ones you pointed to.


BTW, I don't think casting has any place in prototyping. Design the
parts with SolidWorks, email the file to a CNC shop who will mill them
from billet and ship the parts in a week. Machined billet parts are
FAR better than castings - and cheaper.

I like your idea. I'm looking at a new transmission, possibly planetary,
for my helicopter. The SolidWorks software is a bit expensive for just
prototyping a single item. Do you have any idea how to get this done
without having to layout a bunch of $ for SolidWorks? Your idea is good
because the cast aluminum transmission I would be replacing was done in
some guy's mother's garage and checking for flaws was not done. I've
already found serious flaws in other castings provided with the helicopter
kit.


Stu,

Draw it with anything, even pencil, and pay to have someone draw it in 3D.
Software and the skill to use it is like tooling itself. Unless you intend
to do more than one project, you can have it done for much less than you
will invest doing it yourself.

But I do agree about machining from billet. Unless you plan to produce in
quantity, castings of this complexity are a waste.