Okay, I want to get a pattern cut from 22 ga steel sheet. I don't know the whole process, so I'm hoping you guys can fill me in..... Basically I want to know what it takes to turn a drawing into a file that I can give to a machine shop, and have them laser cut or water jet the pattern...

The second part of the question, is how much does this typically cost for a small (3"x5") design? It seems like if I just hand them the file, it should be quick and cheap, like just a few bucks to cover setup time, and materials. I'm not looking for more than 20 of these 3x5 pieces.

At a shop here, it's about a $35 set up fee, cost of the materials, and a fee per hour for the machining.

That's on flat stock and laser cut.

John Stricker

quote Originally posted by ryan.hess: Okay, I want to get a pattern cut from 22 ga steel sheet. I don't know the whole process, so I'm hoping you guys can fill me in..... Basically I want to know what it takes to turn a drawing into a file that I can give to a machine shop, and have them laser cut or water jet the pattern... The second part of the question, is how much does this typically cost for a small (3"x5") design? It seems like if I just hand them the file, it should be quick and cheap, like just a few bucks to cover setup time, and materials. I'm not looking for more than 20 of these 3x5 pieces.

Some places have a fix set up charge, so you might save some if the can do more than one piece. They also might charge you an hourly rate or a linear rate, depending on how they machine the stock, plus they might charge you for making the program depending on how complicated it is. If you can post a drawing of what you want to do, I might be able to tell you how much our shop would charge to do it, just to give you an idea of what to expect. It will have to wait till Monday when I go back to work tho.

[This message has been edited by avengador1 (edited 01-28-2005).]

This is the best I can do right now, it's still all "in my head" Basically I'd need it cut out along that outline, and then there are 2 little "L" shaped slots it would have to cut. Can't have those slots be much more than 1/16" wide, I don't know the cutting width of these machines..... 22 ga steel. a quote for 20 would probably be about right.

For the other part of my question - can I just send them a file to save the setup fee? Or is this strictly a 'send in a drawing and we'll program our CNC machine' thing?

[This message has been edited by ryan.hess (edited 01-28-2005).]

If you have a CAD file, that would certainly help you. They could just upload it to their machining center and run it, once they set up the stock. It certainly wil save them a lot of programing time.

quote Originally posted by avengador1: If you have a CAD file, that would certainly help you. They could just upload it to their machining center and run it, once they set up the stock. It certainly wil save them a lot of programing time.

What's an acceptable format? Autocad? Will it eliminate the setup fee?

What are you making this for? What is it? I need more measurements.
Brad

quote Originally posted by twofatguys: What are you making this for? What is it? I need more measurements. Brad

I can't tell you But I can tell you that it's for a custom enclosure of sorts. Basically I'm trying to decide if it's worth my time for such a small run to just dremel them myself or have them sent out. My time is cheap, but if I can get these things for a couple bucks a piece, it'll be worth it, and I can concentrate on other things.

I was playing with the emachineshop software the other day and I drew a small flat shape with a few holes cut in it (about 3 x 4 inches in size) . Pricing for this cut from 1/4 1018 plate (water jet) was commng out around $100 for a one off so it seems expensive but as soon as you start adding to the number to cutthe cost hardly increases at all, couple of bucks per item if that.
The software is pretty easy to use too. I gave up on turbo Cad but even an idiot like me managed their software and it's been a looooooong time since I did any engineering drawing.

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Dave E

www.ltlfrari.com
Visit the NC Fieros website at TarheelFieros.org

quote Originally posted by ryan.hess: What's an acceptable format? Autocad? Will it eliminate the setup fee?

Depends on the machine/controller they are using. Some machines have their programs converted from an initial engineering program like autocad into a proprietory machine code. You do know they will have to know exactly what radius you want on the left side of that piece, what inner and outer radiuses on the corners-if any, what acceptable tolerances you require etc.

Your disc may decrease the setup fee, but probably won't make it zero. They will still have to either fixture a large blank from which to cut all the pieces out of, or first cut small blanks and fixture each onto the table to machine out your shape.
That's if it's machined on a cnc machineing center (cnc milling machine). I don't know how they do it on waterjet or laser machines.

quote Originally posted by ltlfrari: I was playing with the emachineshop software the other day and I drew a small flat shape with a few holes cut in it (about 3 x 4 inches in size) . Pricing for this cut from 1/4 1018 plate (water jet) was commng out around $100 for a one off so it seems expensive but as soon as you start adding to the number to cutthe cost hardly increases at all, couple of bucks per item if that. The software is pretty easy to use too. I gave up on turbo Cad but even an idiot like me managed their software and it's been a looooooong time since I did any engineering drawing.

Yeah, I was playing with that too, and wanted to see how other shops compare to their prices..... Because quite honestly, I thought their prices were way too high. I was thinking I was paying a premium for using their software...

quote Originally posted by avengador1: It will have to wait till Monday when I go back to work tho.

Giddyup

some cnc's and lasers will read a native .dwg file. most any will read a .dxf. the setup fees aren't much affected by what you give them tough. they still charge for an operator to set up the machine, lock down the stock, and get the machine programmed. the file only gives it the path. the machine still needs to get setup with tooling (cnc) or jet heads (laser and water). then it needs programmed to start and stop coolant (except for laser). typically, setup is $60.00-$120.00. flat fee. the more you make, the lower the cost. and if you go back in a few months of even years, most will keep the program and the setup fee is greatly reduced. do a search on google for custom machining. there are a bunch out there who will do it pretty reasonable righ over the internet. email the file, they send the parts. and many are set up for one off production.

Sorry I didn't get back to you. I had trouble finding this thread, it's a good thing others replied and bumped it up. I'll ask my guys right now to see if they can give me an estimate. Do you have a side view of the piece or is it just a flat piece of stock?
OK, I spoke to my guys and they pointed out that 20 gauge is .0359" thick and 22 gauge is .0299" thick in steel stock. This is very thin to machine. They also said you should look for a sheet metal fabricator to do the job. You could have a wire EDM do the job, but that is expensive as they charge by the linear inch and thickness of the material, but they would be able to do all 20 pieces at once. We just had a 2.5" linear cut done in a block that was about 3 inches deep for $75. You could even have it done with a water jet. My tool makers said your best bet would be a sheet metal fabricator, they probably would be the cheapest. What kind of accuracy do you need for this project? The more accurate, the more expensive it will be.

[This message has been edited by avengador1 (edited 02-01-2005).]