How to build a heliostat parabolic reflector

Step 1 Prove it to yourself

Download this template and print it on cardstock, add something shiny cut it out and tape the edges together, don't cut all the way to the center. The template is Deltacad 6 format

Comments

[ookid]

How come I can't open this file? I have an IMac and the parab16 wont open. also the "dxf" file shows up as a bunch of letters and numbers and lines. Please help a newbie out as I'm not good with this stuff. maybe a PDF file or something like that

[peralta]

Hello,I always use the dxf viewer to view dxf files. You can google it, or you can visit http://www.autodwg.com/dwg-viewer/ to download a free trial version to try.

[dylanwinn]

Use Inkscape.

[vallesan]

hi well i use Windows XP but i convert the DXF file to EPS and CorelDraw just click on donwload RAR file on this link http://vallesan.deviantart.com/art/How-to-build-a-parabolic-174064501

[macrumpton]

Here is a free online media format translator that should help: http://media-convert.com/

[phaserlaser]

you need adobe illustrator

[vallesan]

Hi TOOL USING ANIMAL I took you design and convert it to a Corel Draw 14 and EPS ..so anybody can download it from here : http://vallesan.deviantart.com/art/How-to-build-a-parabolic-174064501 if you don't agree let me know i will erase the file .. thx in advance ........................ Aqui esta el archivo convertido a CorelDraw14 y a Vectores en formato EPS .. por favor hay que distribuir cocinas solares para que c deje de contaminar y talar arboles : http://vallesan.deviantart.com/art/How-to-build-a-parabolic-174064501

[radon222]

If I print out this template at some other size, how would I figure out how far out the focus is? I want to make a reflector for a wifi transceiver and I need to know where to place the transciever. When I printed it out on 8.5x11" paper as large as possible using a crapy dxf viewer, I was able to get it to print it on 2 pages at 8.75" in diameter so there must be a way to calculate the focus distance from that...

[bazalaz]

save the dxf file to your desktop then convert it to pdf using anydwg

[bazalaz]

google dxf to pdf converter or go to http://anydwg.com/dxf-to-pdf-ex.html they have a free trial that will convert to pdf for acrobat reader

[rhino]

I also would like to see a dxf.

[GEOD998]

SORRY, NEW TO THIS SITE, BUT WHERE CAN I FIND THE DXF???? ID LIKE TO TRY MAKING YOUR DISH. THANX

[Tool Using Animal]

here yah go

[macrumpton]

Of course we all have the deltacad 6 program... Not. How about a format like DXF or Tiff or Gif or PDF or something that other programs can read?

[Tool Using Animal]

I linked a dxf in the main comment thread