Prototyping
Prototyping
(OP)
Hey guys,
I was wondering how a machine shop usually charges you if you want to prototype something. I constructed the 3D model in catia so hopefully it can be translated to work in most cnc machine. So here are the questions:
1) Does the complexity of the features drive up cost in cnc machining?
2) If a part is relatively simple, would it be cheaper to have it machined manually? Or is cnc usually cheaper?
I was wondering how a machine shop usually charges you if you want to prototype something. I constructed the 3D model in catia so hopefully it can be translated to work in most cnc machine. So here are the questions:
1) Does the complexity of the features drive up cost in cnc machining?
2) If a part is relatively simple, would it be cheaper to have it machined manually? Or is cnc usually cheaper?





RE: Prototyping
Let's start with material. Is it aluminum, steel, cast iron or is it 17-4 stainless, Inconel, tool steel, or whisker reinforced composite aluminum? Cost of material and machinability will impact the cost.
Tolerance is the next area. Is the part +/-.010", +/-.001" or +/-.0001" in tolerance. Tighter tolerance generally increase cost.
Features such as a threaded shaft with 1"-8 V-thread, or 1" Acme thread or 1" Buttress thread impact the cost.
Finish can also impact the cost.
Have the part quoted and take the best price and hope you got a reputable shop.
RE: Prototyping
There are many things which when drive the price, turn around time, qty, tolerances of the part, coatings, surface finishes, number of features and types of features, material etc....
Best thing to do is design the part for manufacturability. If you have a part which you are not sure if it manufacturable or not, then perhaps it is easiest to send the part off to a couple of vendors and gather feedback from them.
We are a prototype shop and we give constant feedback to our customers and ways to improve the design to minimize cost.
In regards to CNC versus manual..
Manual is fine for an extremly simple part... plate with holes drilled in it...
However if you have a part that has numerous features and that has the possibility for growing into larger qty's then 1 then your best to find a cnc shop.
Good luck!
RE: Prototyping
A couple of options are:
1) Smaller scale model of part you want
2) Aluminum or plastic material for prototype
Tim
www.dom-met.com
RE: Prototyping
Thanks again for the great help guys!
RE: Prototyping
They have a site for posting work.
http://
Have a drawing. If nothing else do something in Word with the drawing tool bar.
Tom
Thomas J. Walz
Carbide Processors, Inc.
www.carbideprocessors.com
RE: Prototyping
If you're under 10 parts, the material is garbage steel (A2, D2, 4140, or equiv.), and there aren't too many holes, you're probably going to pay between $30-$60 per part. 10-20 is likely negotiable, and over 20 parts will probably see a discount. That's based on a shop rate of ~$50 per hour. Small shops I've worked with in PA, WI, IL, etc., seem to run a standard rate of $50-$65 per hour depending upon part size/complexity, equipment required, and the amount of engineering/programming required.
If you want the dimensions certified on an inspection report, add another $10-$15 or so to the per piece price. Use a company with ISO certification and it'll cost you more. A backyard shop will probably be a heck of a lot cheaper.
Hope that helps and isn't misleading.
RE: Prototyping
RE: Prototyping
It turns out that i have the files in .igs format on my comp right now. I uploade a couple of pictures of one of the parts. It would be great if you guys could give me a ballpark price.
http://i1
http://i1
RE: Prototyping
drill the hole, then mill each side?
Thomas J. Walz
Carbide Processors, Inc.
www.carbideprocessors.com
RE: Prototyping
RE: Prototyping
Ballpark that one piece at about $515 assuming you want the corners squared, the part remains mild steel, and your geometric tolerances aren't out of sight. That's doing it partially manually, and partially with CNC (bottom-side pocket and radius portions of the part). Each additional part should drop the cost somewhat. If you can live with internal radii in the corners, the piece price will drop alot more. Heat treating the part is going to allow for warp, so if you have heat treatment and flatness specs to hold, the price will likely go up.
Definitely get this one quoted. If cost is an issue, you'll need to discuss with an individual shop what you can do to drop the per piece cost.
And let me know if I'm way off. I'm more familiar with tool & die making wages, so I'd be curious to see what a general machine shop charges. Also lets me know if this was useful at all.
RE: Prototyping
I'd recommend at least a R.25 wherever you can fit it in and still meet your requirements.
It's also going to be a little hard to hold onto. Could you have this part be made out of a RP plastic instead?
RE: Prototyping
RE: Prototyping
On the radii - it would reduce cost on a machined product... Remember, most tools are round. While this isn't always true - ie: edm, etc - it's a good thing to keep in mind.
Also, if there's a shop in your area... see if you can send prints out for quote and then arrange to stop by and see if they can't give you a bit of advice on design for manufacture...
Best of luck.
RE: Prototyping
RE: Prototyping
We usually do a prototype for function before we do a final prototype for the many excellent reasons given.
A functional prototype saves us time and money and usually points out things we didn’t consider originally.
tom
Thomas J. Walz
Carbide Processors, Inc.
www.carbideprocessors.com