Getting to Dream. Draw. Print. Do.

This post if from fellow Mechanical Engineer and friend of the Awkward Engineer, Greg Fischvogt

If you’re anything like me, finding solutions to problems doesn't stop when you’re off the clock. My name is Greg and I’m an inventor in corporate America by day and a dreamer by night.  As a full time employee at a large global company I have nearly endless resources at my disposal.  25+ full time model makers, SLA rapid prototyping, photopolymer printing, vacuum casting, lathes, mills, wire machines, laser welding, access to the latest version of CREO, and most importantly of all, someone else’s check book!  One would think that I would be well positioned to dip my toe into the pond of prototyping and one-off design outside of work, but for some reason it just doesn't seem all that easy.

The modern innovation process as I see it is:
Dream
Draw
Print
Do
(There are more things that could be added to the list, but getting started is half the battle!)

Currently I find myself stuck in the dream stage.  Many of my ideas tend to get trapped in the world of poorly cobbled together prototypes and Home Depot hardware aisle creations that sometimes get the point across, but often don’t always cut it.  They fall short in some way and this is where many of my ideas die. I am well aware that there are tools out there that could easily bring my ideas to the next level, but I've found that something as simple as CAD software can be a significant barrier to making well thought out functional models.

As I see it, CAD is a gateway to discount prototyping (something that every inventor is looking for). Long before you ever make your first physical model, a simple 3D part or assembly can sort out most design issues. This allows you to iterate and continue on without ever spending time or money learning the lesson the hard way. When you finally do feel comfortable with your idea, automated manufacturing techniques are instantly at your fingertips.  With a few clicks of a button you could submit your ideas to additive rapid prototyping houses, CNC machining services, your own 3D printer, or share something as simple as a screen grab in an email to your friend.

Sounds great. Where do I sign?

Naturally I find myself in the position where I’d want something that’s “good”, but the fact of the matter is most of my ideas don’t come with a business plan to justify the expense. Most mainstream commercial CAD software is far too expensive for the average Joe to justify having some fun with. The majority of packages have an entry level price of approximately $4000 USD with annual maintenance costs of approximately $1250 USD per year.

It seems like the product design process has seen some serious change over the past 5+ years.  Where simply making a model was the most cost prohibitive barrier to implementation…now it seems that CAD software may be the new front runner in a world of ultra-cheap prototyping.

My advice? Don’t let the price of CAD software stop you from getting out there and trying your ideas.  Something is better than nothing.  Reject the notion that owning professional quality software is the only way you’ll be able to create models on your own. Lower your expectations on what the software is capable of doing.  There is a whole world of free to discount CAD programs out there that will likely meet the basic needs that you have to get started.  With a little money invested, if you decide you really love doing this you can always consider upgrading in the future.  Getting started is half the battle, make good use of these discount tools!

Resources for free to discount CAD access:

See Makerbot’s “choosing your hammer”
http://www.makerbot.com/support/guides/design/

Join a local hacker space like TechShop
http://www.techshop.ws/

Alibre Personal Edition

http://www.alibre.com/products/hobby/

Author’s note: Since writing this article I have decided to take my own advice and have purchased a license of Alibre Personal Edition.  This software is not free, but seems to be similarly featured to software I use on a daily basis and heavily discounted for what it is capable of.  Time to start clicking some buttons!