Software for designing with aluminum extrusion?

Syngyne

I'm looking at possibly building a new simpit/computer desk, and have been eyeing 8020 and the like aluminum extrusion. Does anyone have any experiencing designing/building with it, and do you have a preferred software you use for designing? I asked my brother (a mechanical engineer), and he said he uses Solidworks, but I do not have $alaska to spend on software I might only be using once.

Elvenshae

You might try Fusion 360 - they have a version that's free for hobbyist / home usage.

Feral

Second nomination for fusion 360. It's just the right complexity IMO

Cello

I previously used Fusion360 but it is also now depriving free users of a lot of functionality to make you buy the full version and I got annoyed

SolidWorks does have a Maker version that is difficult to figure out how to install since they make you use their impenetrable 3DSExperience site, but once you pass that hurdle it works like the SolidWorks Standard install on your computer, for $9/month

You may want to do some research to be sure that's what you need, though, depending on how complex your design is etc

Like, are you planning to weld, or screw pieces together, are you using rails or sheet metal or what

Syngyne

No welding, the majority is going to be aluminum extrusion with whatever off-the-shelf connectors are available. There are going to be a few areas that will require plates for mounting controllers, keyboard tray, VESA arm for a monitor, etc., and it’ll need a way to mount rails for a car seat.

Cello

Syngyne wrote: »

No welding, the majority is going to be aluminum extrusion with whatever off-the-shelf connectors are available. There are going to be a few areas that will require plates for mounting controllers, keyboard tray, VESA arm for a monitor, etc., and it’ll need a way to mount rails for a car seat.

Oh, wait, you mean rail/square tube style? (Engineering brain had me thinking you were getting actual parts extruded and I was confused as I've never heard the parts referred to that way, haha.)

If you're doing something with stock parts then use the CAD files they have on the McMaster-Carr website. Even if you're not buying from them they're typically standard sizes and they have files for pretty much everything including fasteners. For example, this might be what you're looking for?

https://www.mcmaster.com/structural-framing/

Anyway yeah, my personal preference is SolidWorks but mostly because I used it a lot for work in the 2010s. Fusion360 is a bit more approachable but it depends on if you need engineering drawings as well in 2D to give to a shop, because I think they limit you on those in the free version now too? Can't recall. There are free alternatives like FreeCAD but you uh, get what you pay for.

Syngyne

Cello wrote: »

If you're doing something with stock parts then use the CAD files they have on the McMaster-Carr website. Even if you're not buying from them they're typically standard sizes and they have files for pretty much everything including fasteners. For example, this might be what you're looking for?

https://www.mcmaster.com/structural-framing/

Thanks, that's pretty much exactly what I'm looking for. I'll give Fusion360 a spin. I don't think I'm going to need engineering drawings, as I imagine this is all going to be just various lengths of framing, but who knows.

Radiation

Oh hey! A bit late to this party, but hopefully this helps.
https://vention.io/
Web based design place. You can order parts from them, but I've found it helpful to design something in their software then cut the 8020 I ordered from somewhere else to size referencing what I drew up.

Edit: Evan and Katelyn did a video a long while ago about them designing an enclosure for their robots.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iERXSS_BtGw
The extrusion they have is a pretty blue, but I found some 8020 cheaper and was content with the grey.