DXF plan question(s)

[bdillahu]

A couple of really dumb (I'm sure) questions, but if somebody could point me in the right direction, I would sure appreciate it.

1) What are the constructs called where you have panel lumber (plywood, etc) with notches and tabs that fit together and form a "skeleton" of the animal, airplane, chair, whatever? Seems like that would have some name, but I haven't ran across it.

2) Is there any software commonly used to design such things? I have a couple of things I want to make with that "skeleton" design, but wondered if it is all just manually done, or is there a better way?

Thanks for any help!

Bruce

[Al_The_Man]

Mock-up and Wire Frame come to mind?
Wire frame is common in Cad programs.
Al.

[metalworkz]

Hello Bruce,

I was going to say 'tab and keyed' but that is not really the same thing. The skeletal items are basically keyed but the mating parts don't necessarily have tabs, but might also be keyed? There has to be a specific name for it and someone here is bound to supply it.
Regards,

[CarveOne]

Originally Posted by bdillahu A couple of really dumb (I'm sure) questions, but if somebody could point me in the right direction, I would sure appreciate it. 1) What are the constructs called where you have panel lumber (plywood, etc) with notches and tabs that fit together and form a "skeleton" of the animal, airplane, chair, whatever? Seems like that would have some name, but I haven't ran across it. 2) Is there any software commonly used to design such things? I have a couple of things I want to make with that "skeleton" design, but wondered if it is all just manually done, or is there a better way? Thanks for any help! Bruce

Are you thinking of dovetails? There are many shapes that can be used for joining panels besides the ones commonly seen on drawer fronts /__\ like this shape. Look at some dovetailing jigs on woodworking supply sites. There are some rounded shapes that can be made on a CNC machine from CAD files. They look more like ovals or fingers.

CarveOne

[Switcher]

bdillahu,

Are you talking about the 3D dxf puzzles?

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40567

[CarveOne]

Originally Posted by Switcher bdillahu, Are you talking about the 3D dxf puzzles? http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40567

I think he is. They are called dino files even if they are other animals.

CarveOne

[bdillahu]

Originally Posted by CarveOne I think he is. They are called dino files even if they are other animals. CarveOne

Yes, that's what I meant... hadn't tried searching for the "dino" part of it (since I'm not interested in making a dinosaur :-)).

Anybody have a guess how these are created (easily)?

Thanks so much for the help!

Bruce

[CarveOne]

Originally Posted by bdillahu Yes, that's what I meant... hadn't tried searching for the "dino" part of it (since I'm not interested in making a dinosaur :-)). Anybody have a guess how these are created (easily)? Thanks so much for the help! Bruce

I don't think there is any quick method. (I could be wrong though.) After importing a PDF image and scaling it to the desired size, the image is traced in a CAD program by hand as polylines. The notches are made to whatever thickness wood you will use.

The more of these one does the faster one gets at doing it. Up to a point. It is still a lot of work.

There is a thread in this DIY-CNC Router Table Machines forum where lots of them are posted for download. Links to other sites for downloads can be found there as well.

CarveOne

[tpworks]

slot-together assembly

[bdillahu]

Originally Posted by tpworks slot-together assembly

Thanks, that led down an entire separate path of sources, really appreciate it!

Interesting (to me) that the big, early user of this seems to have been doll houses :-)