Dynamic/Parametric Blocks for Cabinet Parts

[chris.newman0]

I wanted to know if anyone had used either of these blocks to create cabinet parts for CNC machining? Currently we have to layout each part of a cabinet in autocad and send it to a gcode program.

I don't know if it would be possible to have say a block that contains all the parts for say an upper wall cabinet, that its properties like different hinges, more shelves, different thicknesses of edgebanding...ect could be changed with lookup lists and such.

Just curious if anyone has done this and would like to share some insight on how you've done it. I took some of ChrisN's ideas with the cabinets and ran with them just using dynamic blocks for shop drawings. I will post them in the sharing forum.

by the way ChrisN what is your last name??

Thanks guys! lots of help around here.

[fkellogg]

[quote=chris.newman0;966766]
I don't know if it would be possible to have say a block that contains all the parts for say an upper wall cabinet, that its properties like different hinges, more shelves, different thicknesses of edgebanding...ect could be changed with lookup lists and such. [quote]

I'm not sure that dynamic blocks are your way to go on this issue.

There are a ton of cabinet making programs out there that will take care of all your cabinetmaking needs (according to them) with them you can design the room, select the cabinets, configure them, render them, break them out into parts, separate the parts by material, arrange the parts onto your size of sheet goods, apply machining, print labels........

Look up pattern systems, cabinet vision, microvellum, 20/20, etc. Any woodworking magazine will have ads. I do not endorse any of them specifically.

Of course they all cost several months' pay just to purchase, Then several more in learning curve and screwed up materials, only to end up gathering dust on the back shelf of your hard drive.

On second thought, maybe DB's are not such a bad idea. If you had a lot of time, you could build some of that in. Elevation height and width are easy, Depth is a whole nother matter

I myself designed a method of making cabinets that uses one material, one machine, and no paper drawings. Two paint-grade entertainment center base cabinets could be cut on the cnc in about 45 minutes, and assembled way before the next sheet with the two uppers came off the table. I used dynamic blocks for the tab & slot joinery, the shelf pin holes, the simulated raised panel doors, etc.
I have posted some of those blocks previously.

PS. Stock size Kitchen and Bath cabinets are generally made in 3" increments, and rarely over 42" wide without a center divider/shelf support.

Good luck!

[chris.newman0]

fkellogg,
Thanks for the reply, I guess I could have given a little background. We purchased Pattern Systems, and like you said it is on the back shelf collecting dust. There are just to many variables and backdoors with it that made it too cumbsersome. We've also looked into Microvellum, although it is rather expensive.

I work at a cabinet company where we normally do commercial casework. We're a small shop so expensive software is tough to get. We just upgraded from ACAD 2002 about 6 months ago. My project manager uses excel files to create the simple cabinet boxes, doors and all that. I usually do the specialty cabinets directly in autocad and export to CadCode (g-code/nesting program)

I've just been intrigued by these dynamic blocks and we're a little slow right now and am just looking into speeding up some simple casework when I have to create it in ACAD.