Retic enclosure

[kelzerman]

Hey all, just a few pics of my future project for my baby retic. Its an 8' cage. There is a few changes I want to make. Right now I designed it with 1/4" tempered glass but have some 3/8" tempered laying around. So I may use that. This is just a rendering of the enclosure and will be creating blueprints with all the hardware and dimensions. Right now it is a melamine cage with sliding glass doors using aluminum tracking. I need to add ventilation and will probably be using a saw tooth lock made for display cages.

If anyone is wanting copies or would like to add ideas that would be greatly appreciated. I am not sure when I will get the drawings done as work has been really busy.

[EL Ziggy]

Lookin good Kelz. Can't wait to see the finished product. When can you get to work on mine? :)

[kelzerman]

Thank you!

Hey I enjoy doing this. You tell me what you want and I will do it. I cant promise any timelines. Between work, the kid, and animals, oh... and the old lady :0 I don't have much time on my hands.

I have always been interested in animal enclosures and with my engineering background I eventually want to start up my own little side job. I just need to get my name out there.

[thinkbig317]

Looks sweet so far!

[EL Ziggy]

I've always had great respect for engineers and people that can build things with their minds and hands. I'm planning on buying some custom enclosures next year for my two kingsnakes. I'll definitely keep you in mind. BTW, is that St. Clair Shores, MI you're from? I'm a MI native relocated to GA. Got too cold for me up there :)

[kelzerman]

Well thank you!

Yes, I am in Michigan and very jealous of you right now. It is about 15 degrees here and I am not enjoying it lol.

[LarryS]

Very nice! Looking forward to a build thread.

Not to rub salt in the wound, but it's been low 80's here. I don't know how you guys do it. Brrrrrrrr

[kwhitlock]

Well thank you!

Yes, I am in Michigan and very jealous of you right now. It is about 15 degrees here and I am not enjoying it lol.

Where are you in Michigan..this weather been cold as hell!

[kelzerman]

I am in the south eastern part of Michigan. St. Clair Shores.
Where are you located?

[dbank999]

Looks good.

What program are you using? I used SolidWorks all through school, and now use UniGraphics NX7.5 for work.

Would love to get something like ProE for home but I can't afford that :eek:

My suggestion would be to add a small substrate dam in the front on the bottom, this way you wont have substrate falling into the tracks... that is of course if you plan to use a substrate :)

[kelzerman]

I am using Autodesk Inventor 2013. This is paired up with cim-tech's solid cim. This 3D model is fully engineered and with a push of a button I can have this nested and out to a cnc, generate a cut list, and parts list. "BUT!" It is kind of pre-schoolish. So, I do my 3D models in Inventor then export them out to AutoCAD and do my drawings there. I like to have more control over the drawing aspect. Any programs like Solid Works or Inventor have drawings that look like a 10 year old did them. :eek: Then part out the project my self and use Cim-Tech's Router Cim automation software for the machining.

I am not bashing any software here I am just saying every program plays there part.

UniGraphics NX7.5... you work for GM?

Oh I wanted to add I forgot. I was planning on adding some substrate dams/supports to each side of the aluminum tracking. I am not sure how strong that will be and with a larger snake like a retic I do not want to take any chances. I want something that would stand up to a heavy weight boxers punch ;) I have two cats and would like to keep them.

[dbank999]

I agree, all the softwares get you what you need, just at different levels. Personally I love modeling in solidworks, it is very user friendly and intuitive.

CamWorks is an absolute nightmare and has basically no user control, just "generate" and pray.

I'm an NC programmer for GE Aviation, got my Mechie degree at Wentworth Institute of Techonology in Boston. Was a great school, they really teach you how to work in the field, as opposed to just teaching theory like a lot of larger schools do. I mean hey, I had this job lined up before I even walked across the stage to get my diploma LOL

I'm really mostly interested in advanced manufacturing technologies, and I may go for my masters in manf engineering.

And true for a retic, make sure the substrate dam is well reinforced. You could run that model through a FEA and see what happens, not sure what the maximum "punching" force of a retic is though LOL

[sharthun]

Nice design!:cool:

[kelzerman]

Thank you!

[guyabano]

That looks great! Personally, I'd add a litter dam. Other than that, perfect.

[kelzerman]

Thank you! I am going to move the tracking in and put a stretcher on both sides of it. keeps the substrate out of the track and adds a little support.