Alibre parts Library poll.
- Thread starter cclark440
- Start date
I selected "voluntary but am uncertain as to how that differs from not having to pay (Option 2) unless it would only be available to registered Alibre users.
Seems like it would be a good idea, although I've managed to find most of the parts needed in either the Alibre Pro Parts Library or on the Thomas Register site.
Mike
I'm not really sure what to pick. Thus far the library is impressively extensive, but other than nuts and bolts it really doesn't have what I need it to have. A million parts, and I'm using something else. :wink:
I don't see the benefit to a native part library... after all, if you're going to use a 1/4"-20 x 1.5" hex bolt (for example), why would you need to change it? If it's not long enough, select another one. Too small, go up a size. It WOULD be nice if all the parameters were parametric, and thus I could change my 1/4-20 bolt to a #10-24 on the fly.
Other than that, I see no reason for native parts. What, specifically, were you thinking cclark440? Why native?
I was thinking that native Alibre parts would be one step closer to this.
If the parts were Alibre files, all of the dimensions could be changed in the equation editor. Say you needed a special 1/4-20 x .550" bolt. I know you will not find one in the Parts library.
In all honesty I have not found what I needed in the parts library more often than I have found something I need.
I also am unsure how to respond. When I first installed the library, I took a quick look and was very impressed with the list of vendors that are included. However, I just yesterday went in to get a number of pieces of special hardware, but could not find what I needed -- the manufacturers were there, but not the parts that I am using. I was able to get IGES files of all but one of the parts at the respective mfr sites, and will likely have to create the last model myself.
I guess that I can live with it the way it is, but I agree that completely parametric basic hardware like nuts and bolts (et al.) would be very nice indeed.
Regards,
Greg
The library
A central library is a good idea, save time and energy having to re-make a part. As stated in another message, you need a certain part from a certain company (i.e. a connector for SAMTEC). Maybe instead of making people pay to access it, users could be allowed to DOWNLOAD as many as they UPLOAD! This would give users a reasion to add to it. If a library also had links to other parts libraries as well, (i.e. PLANTSPEC or PARTSSPEC by ThomasRegister) that would be nice. :idea:
A central library is a good idea, save time and energy having to re-make a part. As stated in another message, you need a certain part from a certain company (i.e. a connector for SAMTEC). Maybe instead of making people pay to access it, users could be allowed to DOWNLOAD as many as they UPLOAD! This would give users a reasion to add to it. If a library also had links to other parts libraries as well, (i.e. PLANTSPEC or PARTSSPEC by ThomasRegister) that would be nice. :idea:
Parts Library
I voted Voluntary.
This would be under the impression that there are manufacturers out there who have their parts modeled in some other format already. It seems to make sense that it would be to their best interest to supply this free of charge.
What would the cost go to cover anyhow? Would this be to pay whoever it is that would be running the library or to the person modeling the hex bolts?
Why not start something where people can contribute completed Alibre Models (that consist of pieces from the parts library)
The things that I model will be of no use to some and helpful to others. I'm sure that works the other way as well.
If there was an atmosphere of contributing to an Alibre Library, an added perc of using alibre, then rather than posting a message, waiting for a reply, getting clarification to what the reply was, you can save alot of time by just looking through a library of images and downloading what it is that you can use.
It would take someone some time to manage and organize it but I think that once it was set up, it could take care of itself.
I voted Voluntary.
This would be under the impression that there are manufacturers out there who have their parts modeled in some other format already. It seems to make sense that it would be to their best interest to supply this free of charge.
What would the cost go to cover anyhow? Would this be to pay whoever it is that would be running the library or to the person modeling the hex bolts?
Why not start something where people can contribute completed Alibre Models (that consist of pieces from the parts library)
The things that I model will be of no use to some and helpful to others. I'm sure that works the other way as well.
If there was an atmosphere of contributing to an Alibre Library, an added perc of using alibre, then rather than posting a message, waiting for a reply, getting clarification to what the reply was, you can save alot of time by just looking through a library of images and downloading what it is that you can use.
It would take someone some time to manage and organize it but I think that once it was set up, it could take care of itself.
Re:
If you need a 1/4-20x.550" bolt, you're either going to live with a .500" bolt, use a .625" or .750" bolt, or pay through the nose for your extra .050". :wink:
Part of the reason a parts library is good is because it makes you more aware of what standard hardware exists. If everyone designed with bolts in increments of .050", your BOM would suddenly explode with custom hardware, and your budget would blossom out of control. Using standard sizes is good for the budget, and just good practice.
I can see changing one size bolt for another (or going from fine to coarse thread, or jumping up to the next length, etc.) but not creating custom lengths or sizes or whatnot. Again, I'm not sure I see the benefit of native Alibre parts.
Besides, can you imagine how LONG it would take to do that? A million parts? :shock: I sure wouldn't want that job! :wink:
cclark440 said:
If you need a 1/4-20x.550" bolt, you're either going to live with a .500" bolt, use a .625" or .750" bolt, or pay through the nose for your extra .050". :wink:
Part of the reason a parts library is good is because it makes you more aware of what standard hardware exists. If everyone designed with bolts in increments of .050", your BOM would suddenly explode with custom hardware, and your budget would blossom out of control. Using standard sizes is good for the budget, and just good practice.
I can see changing one size bolt for another (or going from fine to coarse thread, or jumping up to the next length, etc.) but not creating custom lengths or sizes or whatnot. Again, I'm not sure I see the benefit of native Alibre parts.
Besides, can you imagine how LONG it would take to do that? A million parts? :shock:
I sure wouldn't want that job! :wink:Cont:Alibre Library
You know what I found to make my hardware library selection smaller is having one size of each type, say a pan head, or hex head screw #2, then just re-scale it to a #4 of #6 and so on. Most "standard" lenghts are in 1/16" inc. At least from the ones still making hardware. I did this with most of the other hardware as well, washers, nuts and rivets etc. This also works well with connectors(i.e. DB, pcb interface)
Editing with a computer is easy anyway, right. :wink:
You know what I found to make my hardware library selection smaller is having one size of each type, say a pan head, or hex head screw #2, then just re-scale it to a #4 of #6 and so on. Most "standard" lenghts are in 1/16" inc. At least from the ones still making hardware. I did this with most of the other hardware as well, washers, nuts and rivets etc. This also works well with connectors(i.e. DB, pcb interface)
Editing with a computer is easy anyway, right. :wink:
Comment: Free Library parts online
8)
My liks to Free Library parts online in solid format (IGES, SAT, STEP) are:
https://www.sdp-si.com
https://sdp-si.com/eStore/
Mechanical Hardware: Bolts, gears, sprockets, joins...
http://www.traceparts.com/en/online/index.asp
Very Hardware and parts for manufacturer
http://www.mcmaster.com
Tubing
http://www.firstcadlibrary.com/
Parts for robots
http://www.virtualcad.com/
Bolts, joints, bearings
http://www.web2cad.co.uk/
Parts of manufacturers e.g. FAG,FESTO, REXROTH, PARKER,NSK,....
http://www.3dcontentcentral.com/3dcontentcentral/
Links to Parts of Supplier Certified and User Library
Alibre Inc. would work with Traceparts and Web2cad to that the standard parts appear in the Solid Alibre format.
:idea: Thanks to who can send me more links.
8)
My liks to Free Library parts online in solid format (IGES, SAT, STEP) are:
https://www.sdp-si.com
https://sdp-si.com/eStore/
Mechanical Hardware: Bolts, gears, sprockets, joins...
http://www.traceparts.com/en/online/index.asp
Very Hardware and parts for manufacturer
http://www.mcmaster.com
Tubing
http://www.firstcadlibrary.com/
Parts for robots
http://www.virtualcad.com/
Bolts, joints, bearings
http://www.web2cad.co.uk/
Parts of manufacturers e.g. FAG,FESTO, REXROTH, PARKER,NSK,....
http://www.3dcontentcentral.com/3dcontentcentral/
Links to Parts of Supplier Certified and User Library
Alibre Inc. would work with Traceparts and Web2cad to that the standard parts appear in the Solid Alibre format.
:idea: Thanks to who can send me more links.
some additional links (collected from the Yahoo Groups Group):
http://www.cadalog.com
http://www.tenlinks.com/CAD/MCAD/products/parts.htm
http://cadregister.com
Can't use it
I can't use the parts library function. Some kind of firewall issue. Sure would be great if I could.
Thanks for the links everybody. The SDP one is great! One strange thing though, a bearing I imported as STEP, if I select an edge , the inner and outer diameters are split in two (half circle) instead of a complete circle.
Eric
I can't use the parts library function. Some kind of firewall issue. Sure would be great if I could.
Thanks for the links everybody. The SDP one is great! One strange thing though, a bearing I imported as STEP, if I select an edge , the inner and outer diameters are split in two (half circle) instead of a complete circle.
Eric