I have an idea for a new project. I'd like to scratch build my own chassis. It's there a pc program I can use to mock it up on
There are loads of CAD packages of varying complexity, if that is what you mean.
But do you need to do it on a PC.
There is nothing wrong with using balsa to make a real model. It is a well used technique and often gives you more of an insight into the problems you
may encounter.
I use Solidworks for CAD work, it is a truly amazing tool. Expensive. But very good.
quote:
Originally posted by balidey
I use Solidworks for CAD work, it is a truly amazing tool. Expensive. But very good.
Start with people, engine, gearbox etc. Stuff you can't change the shape or size of.
The chassis is something that naturally follows to join all the bits up.
That's how mine evolved.
Paul G
Why not mock it up full size? Just get cheap tube, cut it to length and tack it together. My car is fully modelled in CAD but the full size mock-up I
made was a great tool for working things out.
You'll get a big pile of steel for £50 and then you can try things out to your hearts content.
The biggest problem with CAD is not the modelling of the chassis but getting hold of the models for all of the bits that you need to fit into it. Its
taken me years to get a decent library of parts to populate my car design and without them it would be a fairly useless tool, how do you know the size
and shape of the engine bay you need if you dont have a CAD model of the engine?
Whereas if you have an actual engine you can mock up the chassis around it.