Designing and engineering by yourself (without expensive CAD software)? 1

Helepolis · Jan 19, 2017

Hi all,

I'm a B.Sc. Mechanical Engineer (specialized in product design) and i have an idea for a potential product that i want to design and engineer.

I think that i have the skill set to make it at least to the first prototype, but I'm not sure how to approach the CAD modeling part.
Basically I'm not sure how i can design something privately (from home) without buying an expensive CAD software (i.e Solidworks, Fusion 360 etc.).

I know there are free CAD software but which one is best suited for the job (modeling plastic injection and metal parts).

So my question is where and how to start, can someone recommend a decent free CAD software? or any other suggestions.

Thanks!

P.S

Hope I've posted at the right forum [wink]

.

drawoh · Jan 20, 2017

Helepolis,

Do you need full-blown parametric CAD? Take a look at Onshape.

QCAD and LibreCAD both are Free Software. These are not up to full, commercial mechanical design, but you can do design, and prepare drawings.

If you are willing to spend some money, there is BricsCAD and VariCAD. Both of these have some 3D[ ]capability.

--
JHG

Helepolis · Jan 20, 2017

Thanks for the help i'll check the software you mentioned.

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Designing and engineering by yourself (without expensive CAD software)? 1

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