# Tube framing software...

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#### LArzfromarz

##### Well-Known Member
Does anyone have a suggestion for a software package that will help me design (properly) the tube framing for an original design EAB.
Actually any direction towards design of the frame components would be helpful.

Larry "LArzfromarz" Romig

#### PTAirco

##### Well-Known Member
Are you talking about a CAD program or an analysis program for truss frames?

#### bmcj

##### Well-Known Member
HBA Supporter
That would probably be a simple FEA (Finite Element Analysis) program and a good table of materials properties for tubes.

#### LArzfromarz

##### Well-Known Member
Are you talking about a CAD program or an analysis program for truss frames?
Actually both to be prudent.
Truth is I'm probably out of my depth on the analysis part. I can understand the results easy enough and the goals are the same as everyone (except the boat builder guy), strength and light weight.
I can see everything in my head and have flown the basic design in X-Plane, so I can get the idea into pixels.
I don't really want to spend the next 6 months learning a software package just to get started.
Again I think I know what the frame should look like, or I know form I'd like it to be in.
BTW, 2-place, side by, high wing pusher, w/twin tail booms. 4130 frame, Al wing, fuse comp covered. Jab 3300, center mounted drum fed .50 cal, 2.75" rockets under the wi... oops never mind the last parts.

Any volunteers? (small v not the Tenn kind:gig

You guys are great-
Larz

#### Mac790

##### Well-Known Member
Actually both to be prudent.
http://www.homebuiltairplanes.com/forums/design-structures-cutting-edge-technology/5025-what-software-do-you-use.html

About FEA you don't have too many options, there is a Femap demo version but it's almost completly useless, it has 500 nods and only about 50 elements limitation (I was able only to create about 30% of the Acro Sport fuselage).
I heard that the ABAQUS has 1000 nods limit in demo version, so it should be much more useful.

Seb

#### Topaz

##### Super Moderator
Staff member
Log Member
Does anyone have a suggestion for a software package that will help me design (properly) the tube framing for an original design EAB.
Actually any direction towards design of the frame components would be helpful.

Larry "LArzfromarz" Romig
If it's a simple tube truss, it may be a more efficient use of your time to simply study a bit and do the calculations "the old-fashioned way", albeit with a calculator.

#### Ivan

##### Active Member
My truss software of choice is GRAPE. It's available as a freeware download. There's a bit of a learning curve, but it does the job for me. Hope it's useful.

Ivan

#### heytwo

##### Member

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I will be making some frames using bicycle methods .

100,000 PSI CRS steel tubes ,brazed into steel lugs .

Bicycle frames dont break , brazing is more reliable

than TIG .

Im buying Yamaha R1 engines . wt is 120 lbs , 188 H.P.
chain drive ( like the Wright Bros ) .

#### devidmartin

Its might be a 200$or less. #### autoreply ##### Moderator Spreadsheet software . write your own CAD . I was once told that the highest grossing software in aerospace is Microsoft Excel. Consider that excel is 100-500$, Catia and more specific stuff is above 10.000..

Having said that, even undetermined structures can without the slightest problem be solved with Maple/Matlab and it takes you maybe a couple of hours to set up everything. That way you can still easily vary material properties, lengths, dimensions.