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  1. cpretty

    Solidworks Simulation Pros & Cons

    We move the files to the remote machine. As all files are on a network anyway, they must be moved as part of simulation workflow, so which PC it gets moved to is the only issue. After a few situations with an 8 hour analysis reducing the users workload to shuffling papers as even email was too...
  2. cpretty

    Solidworks Simulation Pros & Cons

    A quick recommendation for Simulation is to setup a dedicated computer for running the analysis. Use Remote Desktop or similar to log in and do your analysis. Advantages are that the hardware can be optimised for analysis, the computer doesn't run any other software, the engineers machines...
  3. cpretty

    Flip top cap closing automatically in mould?!

    Capitol vial have some details here. http://www.capitolvial.com/tech/overview.aspx Craig Pretty
  4. cpretty

    Solidworks representation of a lake bottom - how to?

    I had a quick attempt at this a while ago and this is the approach I took. Scan the map (or use an electronic copy). Insert into solidworks so it can be traced. Create a plane and label for each contour line. Trace the contour line onto it's appropriate plane. This is where I differ from a lot...
  5. cpretty

    A Bad Manager

    Pat, Cass, I have been debating whether I am the factor myself sometimes. My first job was a 10 year excercise with a very good experience overall. A good company with good people and a strong work ethic. I only mentioned that one from the point of view that geing asked to coddle someone can...
  6. cpretty

    A Bad Manager

    Some of these engineering ethics posts make excellent reading. Like Dilbert but worse, because it's real, and sometimes hits quite close to home. My last 3 jobs have had situations similar to that described in OP. Describing them may provide an insight to how it can work. 1) Work on a...
  7. cpretty

    Design resources for overmolding

    Urethane moulding may be a reasonable way to acheive your goal. Tooling can be as cheap as a machined block of MDF with some varnish on it, or CNC machined plastic. There are also many choices of hardness and colour. If you choose a commercial supplier of this process they should be able to...
  8. cpretty

    Design resources for overmolding

    Have a look at the Santoprene website. Their design guides are pretty good at answering your questions. Another good option to get some ideas is to go and purchase some plastic cooking implements with soft touch handles. Have a good look at how they do it, cut them up to look into section...
  9. cpretty

    Compare Geometry - can anyone get this to work?

    Doing cavities or combines on similar parts to check for the issues explained rarely works. Zero thickness or invalid geometry are the end result often. I have never used compare geometry. From the OP description I imagine it is a nice interface on the combine/subtract tools, so will suffer...
  10. cpretty

    Airtight interlock design

    Here is one of the best at doing this sort of thing. http://www.capitolvial.com/tech/overview.aspx Their process is quite a tidy solution to acheiving a good seal plastic parts. Craig Pretty Tru-Design Plastics
  11. cpretty

    Chain Construction, how to pattern mates in assembly?

    I don't know of a method for patterning mates, but there are definately ways to make it easier. If you look up mate references you should be able to get to a stage where you just pull the parts into the assembly and they automatically mate. You may need to create left and right hand versions...
  12. cpretty

    Using a motor to rotate a sphere from the inside

    Fake it. Project the image onto the surface of the sphere from the outside. Then it just becomes an image manipulation problem, with the sphere able to rotate in any direction irrespective of the image. Craig Pretty Tru-Design Plastics
  13. cpretty

    Mineral Filler for PP in drinking water use

    A little feedback from my trials on this. I am happy to report that sizing and shrinkage were as expected. Largest shrinkage - Natural PP Slightly less than above shrinkage - Blue coloured PP Control size - PP with PTFE Less shrink than control size - PP with 40% talc From analysis of the PP...
  14. cpretty

    Mineral Filler for PP in drinking water use

    I am have had a bit of a think about this and am thinking about the phase change of the polymer material and how that affects the cooling. I found the following graph http://www.gammadot.com/Techzone/nexus/PP/PPcp.htm and was thinking about the classic boiling water scenario where energy is...
  15. cpretty

    Mineral Filler for PP in drinking water use

    Thanks for all of your replies. I must have asked a good question to get all 3 gurus replying so promptly. I had been thinking of the PTFE as an inert 'filler' so hadn't really thought about shrinkage differences due to polymer versus mineral. Checking out the data sheets, I should have...
  16. cpretty

    Mineral Filler for PP in drinking water use

    As the advice is so useful on this forum, I am using this early into my investigation into a different material for our product. We currently manufacture a ball for a ball valve out of PTFE filled polypropylene for our 'premium' valve. We are required to machine the ball to obtain a perfectly...
  17. cpretty

    Screen captures for reports etc

    If you want a high quality image of your model, drop it into a drawing and save as Tiff or PSD. This gives you the ability to output images at print resolution eg 600dpi rather than screen resolution 72 dpi. Note - you don't need PV360 to obtain higher resolution renders. By using the various...
  18. cpretty

    Piano Black in acrylic?

    Hi all, We have been contacted by a client with the request to manufacture a moulded part in piano black (like every product at the moment). I remembered the discussions in http://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=243108&page=1 so have been looking over those. The customer is already using...
  19. cpretty

    Stress question to help streamline component

    I assume you are using the FEA express in SW by your comments on how you set it up, and the look of the pictures. This is totally inadequate to give a good indication of any stress. You can't constrain it properly, and it is greatly simplified. A quick thought on any analysis. The hook needs...
  20. cpretty

    Sprue bush?

    Cheers for the insight, and the good response. I thought there may have been something odd going on, as the two of the three responders were people that usually provide helpful insight. We have now started tooling with sprue bushes. After further investigation in house it would appear no-one...

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