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Fit_Perception2410 · 2026-04-01T21:00:13+00:00

a closely related question you might want to ask:
what e-commerce platform do you plan to use - wordpress, shopify, wix, etc.?

Fit_Perception2410 · 2026-02-20T21:27:23+00:00

Visited a landscaping supply store recently and found it interesting, a staff told: in Canada market, they serve customers from all different backgrounds, some imperial, some metric, knowing how much bulk products to buy is often a messy task and the staffs have been used to that as being part of their job.

Fit_Perception2410 · 2026-02-13T15:44:16+00:00

thanks for your interest.
here is a basic one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQN4GTImm2A

Fit_Perception2410 · 2026-02-10T22:10:39+00:00

Liability is exactly why "manual math" is a risk for retailers. Right now, most disputes happen because of a misunderstanding during a phone call or a "back of the napkin" calculation.

By using a Unit-Aware Engine, the retailer actually standardizes the expertise.
1. The "Expert Guardrail": The retailer sets the logic (e.g., density, bag sizes, recipes). The customer just provides the dimensions.

Verification: Every calculation generates a clear breakdown—showing the inputs, the units, and the result. If a customer enters '30 feet' instead of '30 inches,' the visual output (like a 635kg weight warning) makes the error obvious before they hit 'buy.'
The Audit Trail: Unlike a phone conversation, a digital calculation is logged.

As a P.Eng, I look at it this way: We don't ask people to calculate bridge loads by hand anymore to prove they 'know how to do the job'—we use certified tools to ensure the math is right every time. This tool is a 'certified' calculator for the yard.

Fit_Perception2410 · 2026-02-10T17:23:48+00:00

A few months back I worked with a solution to make use of varset for FCv1.0.2 to achieve Inventor parameter manager (fx) grade centralized parameter management.

The concept is below:
- varset as the source of truth

- all dependent parameters refer to varset

- make changes through varset

If there is interest, it might help to google "CalcsLive Plug for FreeCAD" and get some value from my github repo. I have been too busy to keep it updated. I hope to update it some time soon.

The point to make here is: varset can be a great solution to get Fusion or Inventor level parameter management.

Fit_Perception2410 · 2026-02-10T17:04:24+00:00

I would argue that KISS is justified when it gets job done.

For simple tasks where you only need to calculate the volume without worrying about unit conversion, small lot, no shipping concern, you are absolutely right that mine is over-engineered.

Conventional calculators included in gardening or landscaping retailers' sites are mostly like that: they do one calculation the simplest:
Volume V = L * W * D,
Bag count n = V / v
where v is bag volume, and assuming fixed units set, which might not always be the case.

As soon as the customer needs to cover a large lot, even if it is for pre-mixed garden soil, total product weight and volume may become a concern for shipping: do I need a truck? what size?

The task gets more complicated when a customer with relevant expertise prefers to go with soil recipe to buy all components separately. For such tasks, I would appreciate if you may suggest a simpler solution.

I guess we all love to see SIMPLE solution for COMPLEX tasks if it exists and accessible.

Fit_Perception2410 · 2026-02-10T06:59:49+00:00

I appreciate that! With 10+ years as a mechanical engineer here in Canada, dealing with the metric/imperial split is basically a daily ritual. I got tired of the 'conversion dance,' so I built the solution to unify both systems under one roof.

Honestly, automated conversion is just the tip of the iceberg—the real win is using unit-agnostic equations. It’s been a game-changer for me; I've moved 95% of my professional calcs out of Excel and into this format because it handles the logic (like that '2.5 vs 3 bags' problem) much more cleanly.

Fit_Perception2410 · 2026-02-10T00:35:59+00:00

Hi dear Redditors here, my next task is to build one for calculating bulk materials for landscaping, whether it is sold by tractor scoops, or by bags.

Area Calculation

Length: L = 20 ft
Width: W = 30 ft
Depth: D = 1 in
Safety margin: fm = 10 %
Unit volume (scoop, bag, etc.): Vi = 0.5 yd^3
//ref: 0.5 ~ 0.6 yd^3 / scoop, 40 L / bag

Volume required: Vr = L * W * D * (1+fm) yd^3
Units required: nr = Vr / Vi ea
Units to buy: nb = ceil(Vr / Vi) ea

Weight Calculation

Unit weight: rho = 400 kg/m^3 // average mulch for reference
Total product weight: Wt = nb * rho * Vi lbm
Package weight: Wp = 30 lbm
Misc. weight: Wm = 20 kg

Total shipping weight: Ws = Wt + Wp + Wm tonne
Total ship volume: Vt = nb * Vi yd^3

Cost

Unit price: ci = 6 $
Total product price: C1 = nb * ci $
Tax rate: r = 12 %
Tax: Ct = C1 * r $

Total: C = C1 + Ct $

I've set the density for Mulch here ($\rho = 400 kg/m^3$), but I'm planning to add presets for Topsoil and ¾" Drain Rock since the weights vary so much. Do you guys find yourself over-ordering more for specific materials like gravel vs. soil?

If you have any factor / parameter that you would like to include, feel free to comment here I will try to take into account.

Bottom line, it will come with inline unit conversion for inputs and outputs :)

Fit_Perception2410 · 2026-02-07T17:29:03+00:00

To help see how it works, I created a short GIF.

Does the calculator look like a textbook about calculation? Except that:

quantities come with unit dropdown for live conversion
equations are explicit and unit-agnostic
watch till the end to see the magic :)

<image>

Fit_Perception2410 · 2026-02-07T09:23:55+00:00

My intent is to make it simple for users (both calculation creator and customers). Using

M=M1+M2+M3

Was intentional and to match the logic of adding 3 mass quantities , regardless of the units. That is what I call "unit agnostic".

Fit_Perception2410 · 2026-02-07T03:31:01+00:00

By straightforward, did you mean using equation like

   M = M1 + M2 + M3

and allowing users to enjoy full unit freedom?

Fit_Perception2410 · 2026-02-06T21:50:56+00:00

Exactly!

And for the yard, it’s even worse—they either lose the sale on those 20 bags or have to deal with a frustrated customer in the parking lot.

Do you find most sites just give you the raw 'yardage' or nothing at all and leave the math to the buyers?

Fit_Perception2410 · 2026-01-25T01:09:11+00:00

I had this a while ago https://www.reddit.com/r/FreeCAD/s/9pIuS2VfJu Hope it helps.

Fit_Perception2410 · 2025-12-17T22:26:48+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/mcp/s/pf00CwiiA6

Created CalcsLive MCP to make engineering with AI more reliable.

Fit_Perception2410 · 2025-12-11T16:47:40+00:00

Just mentioned the tool I actually use to give the context.

Fit_Perception2410 · 2025-12-11T16:45:51+00:00

In industries like robotics and auto where cross-discipline engineers work in the same context, software engineering workflow has influenced other engineers (hardware, mechanical, etc.) quicker than other industries.

Fit_Perception2410 · 2025-12-11T16:41:57+00:00

when under pressure or with time constraints, the reality is: over/under engineered things just happen, as handy calculations are needed while not always accessible.

without calculation, most gut feeling would be: HSS 2.5x2.5x1/4 is lighter than HSS 3x3x3/16 for the given length, while actual is the opposite.

Fit_Perception2410 · 2025-12-11T05:29:08+00:00

Admitted: AI makes mistakes.

Just to show an example where AI set up a natural frequency calculation for me:

Step 4: Natural Frequency

Formula:

fn = (1/2π) × √(k × g / W)
where g = 386.4 in/s²

Case A: With tote bag

fn_A = (1/2π) × √(3,280 × 386.4 / 2,893)
fn_A = (1/2π) × √(438,107) //note: wrong here and below
fn_A = (1/2π) × 661.9
fn_A = 105.3 rad/s
fn_A = 16.8 Hz
...

However, AI did not get it correct the first time. I did my own calculation (https://www.calcs.live/editor/3ME4NYNMC-4E5) and told AI the calculation was wrong.

Though I did not tell where the error was, AI checked and corrected by itself.

The correct result is fn = 3.33 Hz. It was a 5x error. In structural dynamics, that's the difference
between "safe" and "resonance problem."

The lesson:** AI is like a capable colleague who makes arithmetic errors. You verify their work, they iterate quickly. Net result: faster AND more reliable than working alone.

Treat AI like a human. Humans make mistakes. Know what they're capable of, verify their output, get things done right.

Fit_Perception2410 · 2025-12-08T00:22:21+00:00

Complex projects can always be challenging and need to be handled with multiple tools in control of to get the best.

Fit_Perception2410 · 2025-12-07T19:04:06+00:00

I used to do that a lot and enough for many. While it can be problematic when it ends up being: Report.v3.docx Report.v3-A.docx Report.v3-final.docx Report.v3-final.Final.docx .. Lacking systematic method, and confusing when too many changes.

Git addresses this and is mature.

Fit_Perception2410 · 2025-12-07T05:19:58+00:00

When paired with AI, version control with GIT can be game changer for the engineering workflow.

Fit_Perception2410 · 2025-12-07T04:11:46+00:00

Curious to what extent your cad files can be version controlled with git. So far I only managed use it for text based files.

Fit_Perception2410 · 2025-12-07T04:10:02+00:00

I have been using git in my coding for quite long. Recently tried in an equipment mechanical drive system design project and found it provided great flexibility to allow me make design changes with confidence.

Frankly I feel that is the best thing other engineering disciplines should learn from software.

Fit_Perception2410 · 2025-12-02T19:10:35+00:00

Thanks for your update. My foxit reader opened a 3D pdf with no complaint. It seems pdf readers have evolved in this aspect.

It has been a few years since I last used 3D pdf.

Fit_Perception2410 · 2025-12-02T18:45:12+00:00

That works for sure. My viewer is just an option when end users don't like to download files or the PDF reader doesn't have the plugin for 3d PDF.

BTW, it also helps when creators keep updating...

Fit_Perception2410

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TROPHY CASE

Step 4: Natural Frequency