Stephen, I haven’t had a chance to get on my PC for any length of time to figure out exactly what I did, but I did get enough time to know I used DraftSite (free program) to import the DXF files into (from the LR2 files on Thingiverse) and printed them from there. Trying to do it as a PDF from acrobat did not yield the correct dimensions (no matter what, it scales). In DraftSite you can print to a “window” region and it will print in a 1:1 scale. You have to do multiple prints for each part and them tape them together on the mdf to cut it out. I remember googling to figure out how to do it.
Work (and life) should give me time tomorrow to sit at my computer to figure out exactly what I did and then I will post up instructions.
We must be on the same wavelength…I did a similar thing yesterday. I thought that the LR2 files from thingyverse would yield the correct size also. So I went and downloaded the files. I used an online DXF viewer. The Y plate on the screen looked much larger than a single sheet of paper. So I went to the print function and was expecting several pages to print out…however it printed out on a single sheet apparently reduced in size. I didn’t know about printing a window. So now armed with that info will keep trying… Thanks
Barry these are great pics, but do these pics zoom out where I can see the entire plates? I can’t really see from and to the points you’re measuring from. I’m not asking you to take more pics…just if these can be zoomed out a little. Sorry if I’m a pain
What Barry’s pics are showing is the 611Plate is about 9" by 5 1/2" and the Y Plates are 13" x 6". This will give you are good idea if your prints are coming out 1:1.
I just downloaded and checked the program that Ryan has linked on the FAQ Page: https://www.solidworks.com/sw/support/edrawings/e2_downloadcheck.htm and it is the easiest way I’ve seen to print large scale 1:1 drawings. Just load up the file, click on Print, Choose the 1:1 option and then to the right of that option is a 4way arrow button (called Pan) click on that and then you can move the drawing around in the Print Preview window so that you can print 1 part of it, and then on the next print, print the other half. This works great - I just tried it.
Okay …I downloaded it too last night…well I’m using a Mac so I downloaded it. I also installed Draftsight for Mac which is a beta version. Keeps crashing. I can get it to print the first page of the drawing, but that’s it. From what was on the 1st page I expected it to print 3 or 4 pages. Didn’t know about the pan function.
I was wondering about the exact size of the part so I can check it against the taped up pages. I am assuming the exact size of the part is critical or are there any allowances?
Was on my way to Office Depot, but they don’t print DXF. Converting to PDF seems a little sketchy size wise.
I will work with the “Pan Function”. When you Pan over does it know where the 1st screen stopped?
It will only print 1 page at a time - whatever is in the printable area. You have to use the pan feature to move it in the print preview window. It doesn’t know what it printed before so print the left side first and then th right side. There will be more then enough overlap in the middle for you to line them up manually after you print them out.
The size of the parts are critical otherwise the printed parts won’t line up properly and the machine won’t work right (if at all). They need to be printed full size or it just won’t work.
Got it finally. Got the full size print of the plates and the measurements.
DID NOT have to glue or tape. I had an old laser printer in the closet that prints on Legal Size paper. (8 1/2 x 14)
Was following everyones instructions, but could not get it to work on my Macbook Pro. When I installed the program Ryan and Jeff recommended on my old Windows machine I had many more setup options on my layout and printer.
I also did some measuring from the original DXF file. I’ll attach that PNG file to this post. I had to manually pull the lines when measuring so I won’t vouch for 100% accuracy. Measure for yourself, but this will give you an idea. I do not know the size of the holes or drill bits needed at this point, but I’m sure there on the website somewhere.
Thanks for all the help, especially Jeff, Ryan and Barry. I’m sure I’ll have many more questions the further I go.
Someone look at my measurements and see if they look correct please.
That looks correct. I forget the size of the holes but can check. I just put my calipers to them to get a measurement and then picked the correct sized drill bit. The diameters of the holes aren’t as important as the spacing in-between the centers of the holes (center to center need to line up so the plastic printed parts will fit correctly. The hole sizes themselves are big enough for the bolts to go through.
@Jeff, So buying the printed parts before cutting the plates would probably be best to insure correct fit.
As far as taping or spray gluing the paper “plates” templates to the MDF for cutting…are you cutting through the paper template with your saw or are you tracing around the template with a pencil etc…? Is glue on the wood any issue when you’re done cutting and have the finished plate? Wonder if tracing over template with carbon paper would yield a good pattern on the MDF? Ok thanks.
