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[Bernie_of_CPE]

Hi Guys,

I use TurboCAD V3 for generating laser cutting files, here is an example of the kind of things I make.
2001: Space Station V Project
This drawing was created over a three days by screen grabbing images and importing into a file, tracing and relatively sizing the basic structure. Obviously there was many months of research as no plans exist and very few reference photographs.




Exporting layers as .DXF files to import into the lasercut software is pretty easy with a little tweaking I have started to make this model. It's 32" in diameter


Once the parts were cut and assembled they form a complete ring - no glue as yet but self supporting.



The acrylic tubing used for the spoke arrangement needs to be cut to size and a second ring of frames made to model the incomplete still work in progress ring as in this image.



Accuracy of drawing and cutting are the key. TurboCAD is perfect for this task and very well suited to using with my Laser system. I am planning to make many more models from Classic Sci-Fi and TV series. This model will be available as a kit eventually and this prototype model has been well received by my website members. I am planning to render this in 3D when I learn more about TurboCAD and it's capabilities as this is my first venture into any CAD software as such. The learning curve is very steep but as you can see well worth the effort. This model would have been very difficult to make any other way.

Please feel free to ask any questions (my contact details are below) or visit my website. I have many more projects that I can publish here if people are interested.

Bernie.

Bernard Walsh - Custom Product Engineering (CPE)

1, Coln Square, Thornbury, Bristol, South Glos, BS35 2DA
Tel: 07525 021 077
bernie.walsh@mac.com
www.eagletransporter.com
Laser cutting, Vacuum Forming, CAD Design, Prototyping, Light Engineering, Industrial Model Making

[JBorlaug]

Outstanding work Bernie! my my- have I got a job for you! will be communicating! Johnny

[Bernie_of_CPE]

Hi Guys,

Happy New year

Not updated in a while so thought I would post a job I am currently working on. Recently I have had the chance to loan the original studio model from the 1975 TV Series Space: 1999 made by Gerry Anderson with a view to CAD'ing the surface details and producing a blueprint. Later I want to convert some of the layer files into cutting files as I had done for the SSV Project I did last year. I have just bought my first ever brand new wide format printer a Hewlett Packard Z2100 I have just unpacked this beast and not actually connected it to the iMac as yet, more on this later....

I have 100's of high resolution images of the Alpha Moon Base Model taken with my Nikon D70s camera and decided that i would first import some of these with a view to just tracing them as this seemed to be the shortest path from a to done..! Problems became apparent straight away with parallax distortion due to my camera set up and reducing everything to scale. I decided to use this as a guide in form only and soon resorted to measuring and drawings what was in front of me directly from the model itself.

Here are a few images to illustrate what I am talking about, firstly a few of the model, it's amazing that it has survived these years 35+ years, thank god for the fan base of these shows, they are a committed and passionate bunch.

Images Copyright Bernie Walsh CPE 2011 / www.eagletransporter.com




The model is build from block board (a type of plywood) covered in acrylic sheeting and decorated in plastic kit parts, this technique was invented by the model makers from the Gerry Anderson Studios and was used since the 1960's to add interest and detail as cheaply as possible. These were the pre Star Wars days remember and anything digital was a pipe dream at best.

The centre building from this maze of a model is Main Mission the bulls eye in a dart board layout. I have started to draw all it's elements in layers here:




There are 26 parts of buildings that complete the layout as can be seen here:







I'll update as the work progresses just thought as I work with unusual projects it would make an interesting change.

As an aside if anyone else has used the same printer and has useful set up or general use information i would be grateful.

Bernie.