Access to Machines and Facilities

[Rick]

Just wondering if it was worth a thread where members who were willing to share - or to be asked about sharing, could let us know what machinery they have access to for cutting, shaping etc, sort of a shared machinery/skills shop?

I think there are a couple on here with access to CNC gear and machinery like that?

Any thoughts?

[g.collins]

Hi Rick
I have a work shop, withe 2 cnc mills, 3 co2 laser cutters, the largest laser is 1200mm X 900mm, a vac former, lathes, saws and so on, I'm also pretty good with 3D cad work, and have lots of cad/cam packages, I don't mined running the odd job her and there, and if anyone is in my neck of the woods, I don't mind them dropping in.
regards Gordon

[Rick]

Hi Gordon
that's just the sort of thing!  Excellent - thanks for sharing.

So can you cut carbon sheet to patterns? Alloy? (what thickness?)

I have a plan in mind and it needs to be alloy or carbon ideally.

Any others chaps?

[g.collins]

Hi Rick
I have cut carbon sheet, I made a small 3D helly, her are some pics of the carbon frame and the tail gear box milled from Alloy. I designed it in Rhino. it depends on the size of the cutter for depth of cut, I'm cutting 20mm sheet now.
regards

[Rick]

That's amazing!  Nice one

I will PM you to ask for some info on what you'd need in order to cut me some stuff shortly (and to ask if you are able/willing of course).

thanks Gordon

[Coyote]

Excellent work Gordon, you`ve got me thinking about various cradles now :)

[Pasty]

bloody impressive gordon!

I got a heath robbinson hot wire setup if anyone wants some dodgey wing cores cut :D

I so wish I lived next door to you gordon

[g.collins]

I'm afraid you hate London Steve, If my wife gets her way we will be back down Cornwall living, so I would have to get a fridge in the work shop for the beers, cuz I reckon you will be living in. :laugh:
its quite an ease job to put a couple of stepping motors on your hot wire setup, and mack it CNC, you could cut some fancy wigs then.
Are we thinking carbon fiber cradles then Coyote :brainwave:

[Pasty]

man would I love a cnc hot wire, I looked into it a while back and I cant justify the cost :(

Be way cheaper for me if you moved back down here... dooooo iiiittt :D

[Coyote]

Plastics and Carbon Gordon, try a few out see if they are any good after a bit of abuse lol

[g.collins]

I can't promise anything Steve, but I have built a few CNC in my time and I may have some spare bits lying around, Ill have a look see what I have.

Sounds good Coyote, let me no when you have some ideas.

[Coyote]

Have you a CAD package i could put my designs onto, my plans are already drawn up - the skywalkers i just need to CAD them

[g.collins]

Hi Coyoty
I have cad software, posed me What you have and I will have a look.

[Rick]

Can you cut this sort of stuff ok Gordon?

http://easycomposites.co.uk/Products/Pre-Preg-Carbon-Fibre-Sheet.aspx

I'm guessing so but can't seem to get my head around how strong carbon fibre can be :o)

[Coyote]

I fancied doing the CAD work myself Gordon, used it before. Ill do some designs and send them down, see what you think or improvements on my CAD skills