If you have ever tried to layout a conic section on sheet metal, cutting just the right piece, that when rolled over and joined on edge, you have a cone with the exact shape, size and angled openings desired, you know it’s not easy. Who might need to do that? If you’re designing an exhaust pipe for your motorcycle project it could come in very handy to get it right the first time with little waste of materials and effort.
Got this link from Andy pointing to a software program called, amazingly enough, “Cone Layout.” You feed in the dimensions needed for your pipe, diameter, angles and length and the software creates your pattern which can be output in AutoCAD DXF files or encapsulated postscript. Supported units are meter, inch, foot, yard, radians, degrees, gradients, minutes and points. You can print the pattern across multiple sheets of paper if your project is large. It runs on Windows. It even has a minimization routine to find the best place to locate the seam so it can be laid out on the smallest piece of material possible.
This software was initially designed for building an exhaust pipe for a racing motorcycle but people have found a whole lot of other uses since then. A nice little something for your builder’s toolbox.
Thanks Andy!
Link: Cone Layout
Ry says
I have used this software for a couple of years now . Laying out a normal cone by hand is quite easy , this software offers options for offset cones etc.
we simply plug-in the values and send the data to a laser cutter . From there it just takes a little creative rolling or if you have a cnc roller you just load and then weld the seam. Good stuff!
Mayakovski says
Nice:
Thanks
todd says
Also be sure to download MOTA expansion chamber design software to figure out those cones in the first place.
http://www.iwt.com.au/MOTA.HTM
-todd
aaron says
this might come in handy, now I’ve just got to pull my copy of “scientific design of exhaust and intake systems” off the shelf and get around to reading it. any ideas on an easy way to layout a curved megaphone? (the classic magni style) worse yet, now I’m playing with the idea of an oval curved megaphone…
Ry says
Aaron, to form a oval curved megaphone you will have to make it either in a clam shell design or piece it together with a series of smaller cones . You could always hydro-form it if you have mega bucks for tooling .
todd says
you won’t need money for tooling with hydroforming, just some good welding skills and a pressure washer…
http://www.eurospares.com/frame8.htm
-todd
stinger says
Another cone layout software: STEELSNAKES
http://www.rapideuphoria.com/mat.htm
It’s free. (there is on ~6th page). Two-stroke expansion chamber design software: 2STROKE (under DOS, ~4th page). You have to copy SORT.E file from the STEELSNAKES to 2STROKE’s library (program error).
Pictures about hydroforming: http://www.two-stroke-addicts.freeserve.co.uk/mick/hydropipe.htm
http://www.rhevans.co.uk/exhaust.htm
Kilroy says
Cone layout will NOT calculate offset cones at this time. Ry mentioned over a year ago that it would, but offset cones have not been implemented yet.