|
|
- Machine Design Magazine on DIY
Manufacturing & Alibre
By Leslie Gordon,
Machine Design Magazine
DIY Manufacturing
August 26, 2010
Leslie Gordon
Senior Editor
Resources:
Alibre Inc., www.alibre.com
"Personal” machine tools and inexpensive CAD let one-man
shops straddle the line between traditional manufacturing and more current
approaches.
No doubt, trendsetting approaches to so-called personal manufacturing have
turned old-school ways upside down by giving almost anyone the means to make
stuff. Over the last few years, Machine Design has featured articles about
several of these approaches. For example, “Fab it Now” (May 22, 2008)
discusses the development of a “personal fabricator,” an additive machine
about the size of a microwave oven that anyone can purchase for a few
thousand dollars. The builders used it to 3D print everything from robot
parts to small working batteries. And “Rapid Prototyping ‘On the Cheap’”
(January 14, 2010) talks about how mixing social networking with digital
fabrication is a recipe for rapid mass customization. In addition, “Social
Networking in Engineering” (May 19, 2009) discusses how social-networking
technologies such as blogs, wikis, and RSS feeds are changing how engineers
and manufacturers work.
Software helps democratize design
According to Max Freeman, vice president of marketing at Alibre, Richardson,
Tex., its CAD software targets “midnight engineers” — individuals in the new
economy trying to start up their own businesses. “Inexpensive programs such
as ours facilitate the democratization, if you will, of technology,” he
says.
The basic version of the 3D CAD software costs $97. “Previously, our
software ranged between $1,000 to $2,000,” says Freeman. “Our intent was to
open the door for hobbyists and home guys who couldn’t afford higher-end
packages. To an extent, this approach was successful, but at that price we
still didn’t really grab them. The $97 version, though, our bread-and-butter
software, has had a great response. We also provide CAM software for about
$4,000, much less expensive than the mainstream-system costs of $10,000 to
$30,000.”
Alibre users make everything from simple trinkets to full assemblies with
3,000 parts, says Freeman. “For example, a retired Air Force officer designs
wheelchair systems in 3D CAD that let disabled vets get into a good-looking
hot rod and drive it instead of grandma’s van,” he says. “Another guy
designs special brackets for car seat belts so short people don’t get choked
by the belt. Yet another individual makes aluminum yo-yos, which, believe it
or not, are hot among a certain global young set. All of these individuals
make a living manufacturing something.”
The contents of all photos, graphics, and text are protected by copyright
and may not be used or reproduced without prior express written authorization from the
publisher.
|