Heeks2

I have been working on Heeks2 CAD/CAM software to replace HeeksCNC.

It is still a work in progress. I am trying to make it more hackable by having all the user interface written in wxPython for python3.

The functionality shouldn't be any different than HeeksCNC, but its architecture is different.

 

I have made a .zip file which can be downloaded and extracted on an Ubuntu 64-bit PC. ( I checked it on Ubuntu 20.04 and Ubuntu 18.04 )

I would appreciate someone trying it and help me develop it by finding problems with it.

 

Heeks2.0.1 for amd64ubuntu.zip

This download includes all the binaries needed; for wxPython and for OpenCASCADE, so will work on a new install of Ubuntu.

Preparing geometry using Area objects in HeeksCAD

Sometimes it is much easier to create your shapes by cutting and joining existing shapes.
To do this, I use the Area objects in HeeksCAD.

For example, if I have a shape like this:

and I want to make the shape which is the circle with the rectangles subtracted from it.
I can right click on each item in the Objects window and choose "Convert to Area"

So, I get 3 Area objects. Then select all three Area objects, using the Ctrl key to select multiple objects. Make sure to select the circle area first. Then right click and choose "Cut Areas"

 You then get the shape you want.

You probably want to turn it back into a sketch, by right clicking on the area and choosing "Make to Sketch" ( you need to click on the Objects window before the sketch appears for some reason. ) You can then delete the Area object.

The shapes must be closed to work.

With this shape:

 I cut the inside circle from the outside.
Then I cut the other circles from the outside.
Then I intersected the triangle with what was left.
This is the result:

heekscad website

As a google search of Heeks or Heekscad doesn't bring up my paid for domain name "www.heeks.net", I decided to cancel it. All it did was link directly to my google sites website https://sites.google.com/site/heekscad/

Unfortunately I realised after, that I link to it from my HeeksCNC software, which many people have downloaded, for the Help links from dialog boxes and from the "Online Help" menu item.

If you want these help items to work, simply download the latest trial software from my website https://sites.google.com/site/heekscad/

If you have the full version of HeeksCNC, please send me an email and I'll send you a link to the latest HeeksCNC 1.3, so you can download it.

HeeksCNC 1.0

I made a release of HeeksCNC 1.0, my CAD/CAM software, for Windows.

You can program drilling, profile and pocket operations.

You can then run a simulation of solid removal.

This amazing software is less than $20. Get it here

model exhaust cone

I made a model exhaust cone from aluminium, to fit a friend's 1/5th scale Bloodhound SSC model.
I used the manual lathe for most of it, but did the bore with a 16mm tool on the Bridgeport milling machine.
The details were done using the 4th axis on my Sieg KX1 and a 3mm milling cutter. I made a bit of a mistake when I forgot to set the profile operation to the surface, so it dug into the part. Hopefully still looks good enough, though.

My 3D Printer now has a webcam

I've set up a webcam on the 3D printer, which is in it's own room. So I can spend the day watching it from downstairs. :)

We moved the CNC Bridgeport to the new workshop and it got connected up today and it still works. :)
We milled some slots in some steel, to celebrate.