Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Andrew Rabbitt on July 14, 2012 at 2:56pm

From my experience, access to CNC machines doesn't necessarily make things quicker, but rather encourages complexity. It's also only part of the story, since tool pathing and design are also (larger) factors.

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Permalink Reply by Wyatt Ciomperlik on July 14, 2012 at 3:20pm

I have to agree with you on most points, but I will argue the fact that access to a CNC has decreased my build time significantly.  Its "fire and forget" so it works on the part while you do something else.

In addition to encouraging complexity, it has proven valuable when I am forced to machine whole gearboxes, swash plates, and frame components.

Meh, this is more of a poll than a discussion... derp.

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Permalink Reply by Jake Stew on July 15, 2012 at 3:19pm

I'm sure I'd hit it up all the time.  There's always some small part or proto board I'm looking to machine.

I had a circuit board cutter a few years back and never used it.  I finally sold it because I needed the money.  Now I wish I still had it.

I think it would be a great idea to set up a free service.  You could require that the project be open-source and documented and that would bring a lot of development into the open source realm I would think.

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Permalink Reply by Wyatt Ciomperlik on July 15, 2012 at 3:30pm

The idea I had on offering low cost (almost free) CNC access was simple.    I have a EMC setup on a 3 axis (will have 5 soon) milling machine.   Attach a few cameras to the machine and connect them to the EMC box.  

When someone wants to use the CNC, they pay me for the raw material and a little bit more (to help with maintenance and the bills).  I give them VNC access to the unit and let them have fun.  When they are done, they pay shipping (USPS is cheap on anything under 70lb) to get the part home.

The reason why I am asking these questions is, I am not going to invest the effort into something no one will use.

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Permalink Reply by Jake Stew on July 15, 2012 at 4:07pm

I think your problem would probably be too many people wanting to use it.  It's a lot of work keeping everything running right and loaded with material.

For circuit boards you'll probably want to batch them up somewhat.  With all the little boards people make here you'd probably get tired loading 2" square boards into the thing.

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Permalink Reply by Wyatt Ciomperlik on July 15, 2012 at 4:19pm

I see what your getting at, although I am working on designs for a PCB autoloader.

I really dont mind loading a ton of boards by hand, keeping in mind that I intend to charge a simple rate for maintaining the cnc.   so, 12x12, 8x6 or 2x2, you are buying the boards, then paying to use the cnc.

For now, I am just trying to get more info on who would use it and how it would effect them.  

I would rather not have this thread turn into accidental advertizement, even though I intend to run it as a "not for profit" situation.  I wonder if diydrones would sanction me outreaching through their forums...

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Permalink Reply by Wyatt Ciomperlik on July 15, 2012 at 4:36pm

I just realized something...  With the 5 axis kit I am making, people can use autocad to create hard foam airplanes.   The working area of the 5 axis is going to be around 3' x 5'.   What can we make out of foam in that large of an area?

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Permalink Reply by Jake Stew on July 15, 2012 at 4:53pm

Sounds like the perfect size for even large fuselages.

That would also be perfect for doing large difficult high-lift wings.  Most of them need a very thin trailing edge, which is hard to make strong enough.

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Permalink Reply by Wyatt Ciomperlik on July 18, 2012 at 3:40am

Its official!  I am doing this. 

I threw this idea around at a few local aviation groups and some techies I know, and I have already been told that right off the bat I would have requests for about 104 sqft of circuit board milling and 5-9 large foam aircraft...   I am now building a 6' X 9' CNC with some good bits (the bits are costing more than the CNC).

Here in about a month or two, I will be publishing the details of my CNC unit and will gladly mill airframes and pcbs.

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Permalink Reply by Jake Stew on July 18, 2012 at 12:43pm

Awesome!  Tooling is always way too expensive.  But I've found that good tooling is a good investment.  It's one of the few areas I've stopped buying the cheapest stuff I can get from China.  And that's just regular tools like drillbits and diamond saws.

CNC tooling is probably even more sensitive to quality.

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Permalink Reply by Wyatt Ciomperlik on July 23, 2012 at 3:30am

Its official.

Towards the end of next month I will be finishing my 5 axis CNC unit and opening its use to the public as a non-profit gig.

The deal I will be offering is simple.  Pay for the raw material you are going to use, electricity that the CNC uses when working on your part, and pitch in a little for maintenance and a beer. 

Initially, I will be milling foam, wood, certain metals and printed circuit boards but as popularity grows, items available will become more diverse.

For those who want to donate, help out or be the first in line, let me know.  I will be providing benefits to anyone who supports me, so contact me for info.

When this goes live, I intend to make a new post in the buy/sell section of the forums.

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Permalink Reply by Quad_Addict on July 26, 2012 at 6:09am

thats a great service but your going to quickly see how it wont make sense,  some stuff i cut specially with aluminum takes time  to do specially the toolpathing portion so if your toolpathing and cutting for people every day your talking hours of your day invested, so is that time  worth the free cost?  its a cool thing to do work for people it is i do it all the time but you will see how consumed you become..

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