Some of you might be interested in this laser cutting service I recently used.
Laser-cut metal parts Shipped Fast | Instant Quotes
No affiliation or anything and their prices are really good. Upload a dxf file and you get an instant quote based on the thickness and material. I had four of these little adapter plates cut to use 9 pin sockets in chassis cutouts made for 9 pin magnoval sockets. Total for all four cut from titanium was $39 shipped!
Definitely going to use them for making my next chassis.
Laser-cut metal parts Shipped Fast | Instant Quotes
No affiliation or anything and their prices are really good. Upload a dxf file and you get an instant quote based on the thickness and material. I had four of these little adapter plates cut to use 9 pin sockets in chassis cutouts made for 9 pin magnoval sockets. Total for all four cut from titanium was $39 shipped!
Definitely going to use them for making my next chassis.
Attachments
Looks really good, thanks for the info. Local machine shops are $150/hour plus set-up.
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I used to run water blasting pumps that were 42 psi at 10gpm. I could cut though many things with that pump. We started to buy a water cutting machine that was 26k at 2gpm. This was 20 years ago. Before this tech was mainstream like it is now. The trick is to use as fine of a cutting aggregate as possible. With the high pressure of water and the fine cutting material , this would dictate how fine and precise the cut would be.
One of the specs that the military would want , that it would not microscopically fold over the metal. Only seen under a microscope.
One of the specs that the military would want , that it would not microscopically fold over the metal. Only seen under a microscope.
That's a very good find. But they only accept dwg and dxf files. I mostly use the free Sketchup for my projects. Does anyone know of a good free skp to dxf converter? I've found a couple but they don't work very well.
That's industry standard practice, so those formats will be necessary for any fab house.
I'd just learn the new software. Conversion will always have to be carefully checked
and corrected, if it works at all, so just spend the time once and be done.
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Learn WHAT new software?
One that makes compatible files.
10 Free AutoCAD Alternatives - SolidFace 3D CAD
One that makes compatible files.
10 Free AutoCAD Alternatives - SolidFace 3D CAD
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Because it's not free and I don't need to pay money or learn new CAD software just to be able to order a few parts cheaply every now and then. If I wanted to pay money I could just buy Sketchup Pro (actually cheaper than Fusion) as it does export to dxf. I already know the software,
I don't see spending a few hundred dollars a year so I can buy a couple of chassis parts cheaply. Do you?
Actually it is free for the hobbyist. You only pay if you're using it within a business.
Gezuzz, it was just a suggestion. If you don't want to learn, that's ok.
jeff
Gezuzz, it was just a suggestion. If you don't want to learn, that's ok.
jeff
Sample dxf for quoting purposes Dynaco ST70 top plate
A while back I measured a factory Dynaco ST70 chassis and created this dxf file. It may be useful for many reasons not the least of which is to see how much it costs to get this made in various materials and thicknesses before you embark on that new chassis.
The forum will not let me upload a .dxf file so I changed the .dxf to .txt. You will have to change the .txt back to .dxf after you download it.
The dimensions are in inches. I didn't create the hole for the cap capacitor.
A while back I measured a factory Dynaco ST70 chassis and created this dxf file. It may be useful for many reasons not the least of which is to see how much it costs to get this made in various materials and thicknesses before you embark on that new chassis.
The forum will not let me upload a .dxf file so I changed the .dxf to .txt. You will have to change the .txt back to .dxf after you download it.
The dimensions are in inches. I didn't create the hole for the cap capacitor.
Keep in mind that ST70 file is just the top plate. I uploaded a similar file with front and back plates and they were each about $10 a piece and it appeared free shipping for the entire order.
I also noted on their website that they won't do any bending or welding unless you order 50 pcs minimum.
What we need to discuss is how to attach the pieces together. One option is wood. Another might be some kind of extruded L channel that is slotted for the chassis plate and bolts together.
Any ideas?
I also noted on their website that they won't do any bending or welding unless you order 50 pcs minimum.
What we need to discuss is how to attach the pieces together. One option is wood. Another might be some kind of extruded L channel that is slotted for the chassis plate and bolts together.
Any ideas?
That article is wrong. FreeCAD is 3D (not only 2D). Of course you can also draw or export to 2D. I learnt the basics of FreeCAD in the spring this year and I'm working on an amplifier chassis, but it is an ongoing project (not showing any pictures of the complete project yet...).
So far I've successfully created a base plate that I had laser cut at a local shop. Due to the amount of holes it became quite expensive, about €60. For smaller parts laser machining is definitely a cost effective way of manufacturing.
I also created a few parts in aluminium that I sent to a CNC shop in China. This became quite expensive, but I wanted to try it out. Not sure how to make CNC parts cheaper other than building your own CNC mill (you would quickly cover the cost of a few prototypes with the cheapest CNC DIY kits).
The rest I'm machining myself or with hand tools. Here is an example of a hand built bracket (part of the amp chassis):
I'm excited about FreeCAD. It is good enough for hobbyists and I believe it could be enough for many commercial projects, too (although I'm definitely no expert in this area). It has some limitations because in the end it is free, open source software created by enthusiasts. The latest 0.18 version is good (and the soon to be released 0.19 even better), but beware watching old Youtube instruction videos. They are often based on older versions where workflow was different.
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I just ordered some parts this afternoon from Send Cut Send that I've been needing for months.
These guys are great, and have very low prices, and free shipping. They're making my parts today!
I couldn't even buy the material for less than they charged for making and shipping the finished parts.
What more could you want? Give them your business, we need them.
These guys are great, and have very low prices, and free shipping. They're making my parts today!
I couldn't even buy the material for less than they charged for making and shipping the finished parts.
What more could you want? Give them your business, we need them.
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Does anyone know if they will countersink the screw holes? Or is laser cutting only 90 degrees for all cuts?
On a regular tooled CNC you'd have a drill tool path to make the holes then another drill path using a countersink bit to put a bevel on each hole.
On a regular tooled CNC you'd have a drill tool path to make the holes then another drill path using a countersink bit to put a bevel on each hole.
Haven't seen any indication of that capability, but you can email them and ask.
My first order's on the way. I'm gonna think up more stuff to make with their service.
Only a $29. minimum order is insane. They're in Nevada, maybe money from casinos.
My first order's on the way. I'm gonna think up more stuff to make with their service.
Only a $29. minimum order is insane. They're in Nevada, maybe money from casinos.
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