Sjack Abeling Gravity Wheel and the Worlds first Weight Power Plant

[AquariuZ]

Keep in mind that I also draw my CAD models with a wheel around 1000 units in radius, since working within this range of numbers is easier for me.  But I scale the entire thing by .001 before importing to WM2D.  Then the wheel is only 2 meters in diameter.  It's that easy.

M.

I believe I have AutoCad lying around somewhere. Would it be worthwile to design in AutoCad and then import DXF? Or is it too much hassle (not an autoCAD user)

[AquariuZ]

I Fixed the file

Now that´s an egg. Great thanks!

[mondrasek]

I believe I have AutoCad lying around somewhere. Would it be worthwile to design in AutoCad and then import DXF? Or is it too much hassle (not an autoCAD user)

Well, there is definitely a learning curve.  I'd say it would be good to learn for the long run, but doubt you'd enjoy the frustration for this current project.  Alternatively, Cherryman can continue generating models for all in Rhino.  I only used that ages ago for file format translation, and am not sure about the learning curve.  It is not free but had a free 30 day evaluation at that time.

Anyone know of a free 2D CAD or drawing package that is:

1)  Simple to learn
2)  Can accurately draw all the basic 2D geometric shapes and elements
3)  Has basic editing tools like cut, extend, trim, move, copy, mirror, array, offset, scale, etc.
4)  Can export as DXF

?

Or any simple CAD or drawing package that offers a free trial period with the same features?

The inability to accurately size and place objects in WM2D frustrated the hell out of me at first.  But using CAD also has it's issues.  Sometimes it is easier to rotate objects in WM2D when they are already tied together with constraints.  But if you export out of WM2D in dxf and then reopen in CAD you lose accuracy.  So EVERY change you want to keep in WM2D needs to be done in CAD first and then imported. Or else you begin to degrade in accuracy along the way.

I'd also still recommend bumping up the Integration Error in your sims as far as you can stand.  At least when you are zeroing in on a final design and not just doing gross testing.  Better to let it take a few minutes to generate accurate frames than to show quick inaccurate ones that may lead you to think you have a desired effect that does not exist.  But, of course, down and dirty is fine for initial testing.  Just like the slot profiles in Abeling's video wheel.

M.

[oscar]

Anyone know of a free 2D CAD or drawing package that is:

1)  Simple to learn
2)  Can accurately draw all the basic 2D geometric shapes and elements
3)  Has basic editing tools like cut, extend, trim, move, copy, mirror, array, offset, scale, etc.
4)  Can export as DXF

qcad community release.
interface and handling are much like autocad.
file format is dxf.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qcad
download windows binary from:
http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=240145

[Grimer]

I predict that all computer modelling will be unsuccessful since it uses the laws of mechanics as we know them.

I believe there is an additional law governing the interaction between gravitational acceleration and inertial mass of which we are not yet aware. Something like the law of magnetic induction, say, discovered by Faraday. Every Sunday I am privileged to pass by the shop where he worked as an apprentice bookbinder two centuries ago.

However, don't let me put you off your worthy herculean task. Even negative demonstrations are worth having because if the Abeling motor does prove to be a goer it will lead people to ask why their mathematical models failed.