Rapid prototyping services - in metal
Simon Howes
Hi Hax,
What's the hives experience in using all of the wonderful new fabrication services out there today (I.e. shapeways et al)? I'm prototyping up a part at the moment on my 3d printer, but even with the crazy-ass carbon-nanotube-reinforced polymer it just ain't gonna be strong enough. I need metal (and no, the metal powder filaments are not as strong as metal. Not even as strong as vanilla pla, alas).
I think I need it in stainless!
So what's good, cheap, fast? Anything in Europe that doesn't run the ransom-notes-customs-extortion-handling-charge-shenanigans? (I.e not from the US!)
What's your experience? What's good?
Thanks!
Andrew T
If so lots of CNC machinists companies out in the market but what they will charge is another matter..... also will want the design in CAD if complicated.
I had some simple plates laser cut for me in stainless by a company in Kent who were reasonable but did order 200 of them
Billy
Hey Abby,
These guys might be worth a look, http://www.jameshoyleandson.co.uk/
They're based just over the canal from the hackspace.
While they do a lot of standard castings, they also do bespoke work. They work mostly iron and steel, though i don't know whether they do stainless. The charges will go up exponentially with the complexity of the cast, but they've got the experience to do the work, and they have the reputation of standing by the quality of the work they do. It's still a family-run business. :D
It might be worth looking for company's that make food-grade catering machinery, as they'd have the experience in working with those materials.
I'll ask around.
Also, if you find a solution, then please pass your comments on the provider along. I'm always interested in other people's experiences of working with fabricators.
Andrew T
Simon Howes
Heh. I actually own a cnc mill and a cnc lathe!
But I'm really short of time nowadays, so was being lazy. I even have casting equipment and I could make the part with cnc mill & lathe, but there are more important projects to spend time on ATM. I'd rather just shell out the dosh and have the item magic its way into my postbox. Well, assuming the costs aren't astronomical. Its a small part. If I can get it for 100 bucks its well worth it.
I'll see what sort of quotes I get for my part, and report back to the list!
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Paddy Duncan
FWIW I'm having a part lost-wax casted in brass (a bit like an old-school rubber cistern pull handle), by Abbey Castings, and the cost will be £50-60 to make the mould, then £25 per piece....
The Shapeways 3D printed master cost £20.
Brendan Sleight
On Monday, 5 October 2015 11:07:10 UTC+1, AbbyKatt wrote:
What's the hives experience in using all of the wonderful new fabrication services out there today (I.e. shapeways et al)? I'm prototyping up a part at the moment on my 3d printer, but even with the crazy-ass carbon-
I used Shapeways to get jewellery done
http://www.cuffelinks.com/images/smaller-brighter-better/New_Red-Amber.jpg
http://www.cuffelinks.com/smaller-brighter-better.html
Pro:-
* Finish
* Accuracy
* Less time input from myself
* Takes STL files give me physical object.
Cons:
* Cost (but they run promotions every other month)
* Design guidelines - http://www.shapeways.com/materials/steel?li=nav
I used most of the metal on shapeways silver, brass, bronze and steel. In terms of best value is a good price and a good finish. Silver looks like a mirror rather than bling. Happy to answer further questions.
Avoid i.materialise fake metal finish, very poor quality (not sure they still do that option). i materialise has cheaper delivery, but tends to work out more costly.
Paddy - What is the rough dimensions of your piece ? Which material for master from shapeways ?
BMS
Paddy Duncan
Brendan - it's 'strong and flexible plastic'. Looks/feels like nylon to me..
105mm long here's a pic:
From: london-h...@googlegroups.com [mailto:london-h...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Brendan Sleight
Sent: 05 October 2015 21:59
