Like some others out there, I've started learning how to use Onshape. I'm still coming up-to-speed, but I really like its parametric modeling - being able to change a dimension and have it propagate to all related components automatically. I'm using this flip-top cart project as an opportunity to get more proficient with it.
Here are a few screenshots of the design so far - this is mainly to show how I'm planning to lock the platform in place. As with the rotating hub, this was another chance to differentiate my design. The expected benefits of this locking approach are:
The edge-mounted stationary stop prevents the platform from rotating past 180 degrees. This is necessary to keep the cords from getting twisted and stressed.
The edge-mounted stops should provide solid locking with a minimum of play.
It's dead simple. The pair of sliding stops will ride along either a square or dovetail bar (haven't decided), each having a quick-release cam clamp (not modeled) to lock it in place.
The cart design is not finalized, but here's how the platform should function
Can you also print and render drawings with onshape?
Hi Dutchy. Onshape does allow you to create drawings, although I've not explored that aspect too much yet. Yes, you could exchange the table, but I wouldn't want to try to lift it off with both tools attached. I can feel a pull in my back already.
Dutchy, you can render drawings to any scale you want, including 1:1, both in 3D and in 2D. I worked on a belt grinder design last year to better learn Onshape and as part of that I was able to render a full size drawing which in my case was much larger than a standard 8.5x11 page. IIRC, the drawing is downloaded to PDF and then I used Acrobat to actually print it page by page. Acrobat has an option to add cross hairs for alignment purposes and once I printed and taped it together, the dimensions were perfect. This ability is perfect for printing paper templates.
--Nathan, TX. Hire the lazy man. He may not do as much work but that's because he will find a better way.
I did something similar with the top on my flip-top cart. It is nice because it stops and you do not have to fiddle with lining up knobs or anything. I added a sliding piece side so that all 4 corners are resting on the sides. I also used window sash locks to make it all nice and tight. All 4 corners look like this.
--Nathan, TX. Hire the lazy man. He may not do as much work but that's because he will find a better way.
Lazyman commented about 14 hours ago I did something similar with the top on my flip-top cart. It is nice because it stops and you do not have to fiddle with lining up knobs or anything. I added a sliding piece side so that all 4 corners are resting on the sides. I also used window sash locks to make it all nice and tight. All 4 corners look like this.
Oh, I see. You have a wide sliding piece that part of the platform sandwich. That's clever. I'm going to start without any clamping like you've done with your sash clamps. But I have some ideas in mind for doing that should I find them necessary.
I added the sash clamps in part because it clamps everything nice and tight and makes it more stable. I found that with the sides being so tall with only the axle holding them together, it tended to sway a little in use and locking it down at the corners definitely helps to prevent that. Also, I have the sliding piece on all four corners so I do not need them to prevent it from pivoting while in use but some sort of locking mechanism may be required if you do not have the other 2 corners supported as I do, especially if you put something like a planer on it. When the board gets out far enough on the unsupported side, it could cause it to try to flip over.
--Nathan, TX. Hire the lazy man. He may not do as much work but that's because he will find a better way.
The stationary stops on one side of the platform will automatically support two corners. The other two corners will be supported with the sliding stops. I think I'll have good support, but I won't know if racking will be an issue until I've got the tools loaded.
One of the other design criteria is for the planer bed and the drum sander bed (the tool opposite) to be at the same height as my workbench top so that it can be used for outfeed support. Due to the max height of the drum sander, I'll most likely have to outboard the casters in order to drop the cart low to the ground. This will also allow me to maximize the height of the bracing at the lower back, so hopefully side racking won't be too much of an issue.
Can you also print and render drawings with onshape?
Hi Dutchy. Onshape does allow you to create drawings, although I've not explored that aspect too much yet. Yes, you could exchange the table, but I wouldn't want to try to lift it off with both tools attached. I can feel a pull in my back already.
Lazyman commented about 21 hours ago new Dutchy, you can render drawings to any scale you want, including 1:1, both in 3D and in 2D. I worked on a belt grinder design last year to better learn Onshape and as part of that I was able to render a full size drawing which in my case was much larger than a standard 8.5x11 page. IIRC, the drawing is downloaded to PDF and then I used Acrobat to actually print it page by page. Acrobat has an option to add cross hairs for alignment purposes and once I printed and taped it together, the dimensions were perfect. This ability is perfect for printing paper templates.
Thanks. Now I work with Fusion 360 from autodesk, but the subscription will expire in about six months. And it is always good to look around you.
Dutchy, Checkout the free self paced classes that Onshape has on their website. They are pretty good and include an exercise that you can download , usually using the the same example in the class. For me, completing the exercise at the end, really helped drive home the content of each class and definitely help me to learn how to navigate the software, menus, etc. In a couple of instances, I went back to repeat the class when I could not remember exactly how to do something as I was drafting a design, which really helped.
--Nathan, TX. Hire the lazy man. He may not do as much work but that's because he will find a better way.
Ross, what prompted your exploration of Onshape? You were (or still are) a SketchUp user, weren't you?
I'm still using SU 2017. I've been reluctant to use the new web-based versions, mainly because I don't like browser-based apps, and because the web-based version doesn't support user-created textures, which I use in most of my models.
Lazyman commented about 11 hours ago new Dutchy, Checkout the free self paced classes that Onshape has on their website. They are pretty good and include an exercise that you can download , usually using the the same example in the class. For me, completing the exercise at the end, really helped drive home the content of each class and definitely help me to learn how to navigate the software, menus, etc. In a couple of instances, I went back to repeat the class when I could not remember exactly how to do something as I was drafting a design, which really helped.
A couple of years ago I never had thought that I would learn making 3D drawings on my PC. For my work (I'm now retired) I have used Autocad from time to time for making simple drawings. My first drawn model was the Super Dexta. I did it in autocad which is 2D. I thought that I went mad 😁. LBD tried to learn me SketchUp. I was glad with the help from LBD! but not with SU. Than I started learning Fusion360 which took a lot of hours, but in the end I prevailed. I saw some vids from Onshape and what I saw is similar to fusion360. What I also looked at is the cost and I suspect that I can't use onshape for free either because I'm selling the drawings. I don't get rich from that and try to keep costs down as much as possible, Onside looks great for what I saw but isn't cheap.
In short, whether I switch remains a question, but thank you (both) very much for the response!
I'm still using SU 2017. I've been reluctant to use the new web-based versions, mainly because I don't like browser-based apps, and because the web-based version doesn't support user-created textures, which I use in most of my models.
Hi Ron. I didn't abandon SU 2017, but I do find it tedious to tweak designs with it. I downloaded Fusion360 a while back, poked around, but didn't spend enough time to learn it. I saw Onshape mentioned here on this site recently, and thought I'd see what the commotion was about. I'm still in the crawling stage in learning it, but for iterative design, it's much better than SketchUp in my opinion.
Onshape does have its downsides. As you mentioned, doesn't do surface textures, it can be difficult to understand the various constraint dependencies that control the model, its 3D navigation around the model is kind of clunky (mainly rotating), so there are definitely pros and cons to both programs.
The commercial restriction is a killer for a small business such as yours, especially at $1500/year. Looks like you can get F360 for 3 years for just a little more.
--Nathan, TX. Hire the lazy man. He may not do as much work but that's because he will find a better way.
Thanks for the explanation, Ross. It will be interesting to hear your opinions after you’ve modeled a few projects with Onshape. It sounds like there may be a place in your toolbox for both applications.
Have you (or anyone else here) ever played around with FreeCad? It’s an open-source 3D parametric modeler. I’ve only heard of it and have never tried it, but it might be a solution for anyone trying to monetize plans or items produced by it.
Have you (or anyone else here) ever played around with FreeCad? It’s an open-source 3D parametric modeler. I’ve only heard of it and have never tried it, but it might be a solution for anyone trying to monetize plans or items produced by it.
I have tried it, but wasn't happy with it. Mainly because making a series of drawings (for printing) was in my opinion not possible within one file. However it is a "small" program and you can download it easy, for perhaps it is sufficient for you. BTW there are plenty of vids on youtube
