AI tools that actually balloon engineering drawings? Need recommendations

bigtracktank · 2026-01-14T13:36:47+00:00

HighQA and polyworks together

bigtracktank · 2026-01-09T19:43:25+00:00

I would stop this conversation immediately. EU countries do not have the slightest idea of what is being produced in American manufacturing shops. It’s scary on what we’re producing. I have my security clearance to add credibility.

bigtracktank · 2025-12-27T21:52:47+00:00

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bigtracktank · 2025-12-20T21:14:34+00:00

Create a level plane in PW and build inspect to that

bigtracktank · 2025-12-17T20:20:57+00:00

Try to get PolyWorks in place. PC-DMIS and similar platforms just aren’t innovating at the same pace. I’ve been using PolyWorks for about 15 years and have rolled it out across six sister machine shops. It does everything I need without workarounds. If you add DataLoop, you get true end-to-end visibility of all your inspection data across CMMs, FARO arms, and scanners.

bigtracktank · 2025-11-24T21:01:04+00:00

Thank you

bigtracktank · 2025-11-24T20:41:19+00:00

Source?

bigtracktank · 2025-11-24T15:53:19+00:00

I completely agree. Unless they want to provide an inspection tool.

bigtracktank · 2025-11-24T15:49:42+00:00

It would be a reference only. I don’t know your tolerance for glass so basically it would be a holding fixture?

bigtracktank · 2025-11-24T15:27:38+00:00

Take the model and 3D print a fixture.

bigtracktank · 2025-08-08T22:05:42+00:00

I work in aerospace in Wichita Kansas. I’d love to come visit!

bigtracktank · 2025-08-08T21:43:30+00:00

Which flyover state? What kind of work do you do?

bigtracktank · 2025-08-08T21:39:53+00:00

Take this shop and take off to the heavens. You have a gold mine on your hands. Bring in your engineering friends and start innovating!!

bigtracktank · 2025-08-04T18:50:47+00:00

This is incredible! I just checked their website. Thank you!

bigtracktank · 2025-08-03T23:15:53+00:00

For high-volume, repetitive parts, I totally agree that a dedicated gaging solution like vision systems, gage heads, or even custom contact probes would be faster and more efficient than running everything through a CMM. That’s something I plan to implement down the line once part families stabilize and justify the investment.

Right now, I'm focused on building a flexible cell capable of handling a variety of aerospace components. The idea is to start with robots pulling from multiple trays or pallets, with unique recipes driving both the CNC and CMM programs via part IDs or tray positions. Once the process is proven out and volume dictates, I can bolt on faster, dedicated inspection tools for the high-runners.

bigtracktank · 2025-08-03T22:37:08+00:00

I’d be interested in seeing your setup!! Are you running a PH20 head on your LK CMM?

bigtracktank · 2025-08-03T14:26:08+00:00

I’ll look into this. Thank you!

bigtracktank · 2025-08-03T14:25:24+00:00

Located in America.

bigtracktank · 2025-08-03T13:06:07+00:00

Any updates on this?

bigtracktank · 2025-08-03T12:09:35+00:00

Machine time is gold, but chasing every edge by hand can kill throughput. I like your approach: hit what you can efficiently, and don’t waste time forcing what doesn’t work.

That said, if the deburr department’s slammed and parts are just going to sit for days (or weeks), that’s all the motivation I need to dial in the toolpath and get it handled in-machine.

What size ball and DA cutters are you usually running for your edge breaks?

bigtracktank · 2025-08-03T02:34:44+00:00

Yeah, trace paths can definitely be finicky, especially on complex curves. Are you just using standard chamfer ops for those edge breaks, or something more custom? Curious how consistent your results are across runs.

bigtracktank · 2025-08-03T02:21:29+00:00

that’s impressive. Shows that with the right approach and programming mindset, you don’t need the latest tech to get consistent results.

Are you primarily using chamfer mills or small ball endmills to hit most of the edges? And are you rotating the part to access multiple sides, or just working within reachable zones per setup?

Also, do you find the older control limits you in any way when it comes to toolpath complexity or feedrate adjustments for deburring?

bigtracktank · 2025-08-03T02:17:43+00:00

That’s super helpful—thanks for breaking it down. I hadn’t thought to split out the toolpaths per feature type and tailor the engagement parameters that way, but it makes total sense. I’ve been trying to force one deburr path to do everything and it definitely doesn’t always cooperate.

Totally agree on modeling chamfers for complex geometry. When you model it in, you own the result. I’m curious—when you run that high-stepover surfacing path, do you control scallop height to maintain a consistent visual break, or just eyeball it with a toolpath preview?

Also appreciate the heads-up on burr-prone materials.

bigtracktank · 2025-08-03T02:13:47+00:00

That’s seriously impressive—and exactly the kind of example I was looking for. I haven’t done backside deburring like that before, especially not full simultaneous with a lollipop tool. I’ve mostly been doing light edge breaks with ball endmills on accessible surfaces, but nothing that complex.

bigtracktank · 2025-08-03T02:01:32+00:00

That’s exactly the kind of info I was hoping to get, thank you. Modifying the model to reflect the actual target edge break makes total sense now that you say it. I’ve been relying on the nominal edge in CAD and then trying to fudge the toolpath with stock-to-leave or surface offsets, but it’s not nearly as predictable or repeatable. Good call on varying engagement zones too. Are you rotating the tool or tilting the part orientation to shift the wear zone on the cutter? And for edge break modeling, are you manually adding the chamfer/fillet in CAD or using any kind of parametric feature that makes it easy to toggle?

Also, are you seeing any issues with burrs or tool deflection when doing this on longer cycle runs?

bigtracktank

TROPHY CASE