Who can machine plastic?
 

I need to get the item below made, it wouldnt be difficult to do by hand, but would be nigh on impossible to keep it all clean and even.

Its about 80x80mm, with each hole 10.5x3.2mm. Probably 2 or 3mm thick.

Any suggestions who can make it?

http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison...1070grille.jpg

Re: Who can machine plastic?
 

You havn't mentioned the material.
If steel or stainless you should ask someone to fire up the laser.

Re: Who can machine plastic?
 

Thread title -----------^^^^^

Re: Who can machine plastic?
 

Oh you are right :D

Re: Who can machine plastic?
 

Try Russisloud

Re: Who can machine plastic?
 

C500 Grill?

Re: Who can machine plastic?
 

Nah m1070 grill.

Re: Who can machine plastic?
 

Yup have pm'd Russ to see if he can work some magic.

Re: Who can machine plastic?
 

For such a grill I´d recommend going down to at least 1mm, better 0,5mm or 3mm with pockets on the back. Gives you the stability needed and looks way better in the end! :)

Re: Who can machine plastic?
 

I was thinking 2-3mm styrene or perspex.

Re: Who can machine plastic?
 

Hmm, does it have to be styrene? Maybe aluminum?

Re: Who can machine plastic?
 

Well, really it could be anything, but it would be easier to build into the hood if its plastic.

Re: Who can machine plastic?
 

I'm sure getting this done with a CNC machine would be the easiest route, but if you can't get someone to do it, I think it could be done with a router and a jig. Or even a jig and drill press an a lot of careful hand filing.

Re: Who can machine plastic?
 

What about 3D printing it???

Re: Who can machine plastic?
 

Russ should be able to do it. The holes are 3.2mm tall, so a cnc bit should do it. If not, yeah a 3d print would be easy.

I must look into getting one of those.

Re: Who can machine plastic?
 

CNC isn't really necessary, but it would speed up the process. A good manual mill and a lot of calculations would give the same result. I could see it being a time consuming part either way. I know how long it took me to make the deck plate for my truck, with a lot of perfectly spaced holes. I did it over the course of a few nights, for an hour or two. Since this is plastic, it would take a little more work to clamp the material and keep it flat too. All of this could be overcome easily enough. 3.2mm diameter is .125", which is not that small, and a very common sized end mill. That helps a lot. Glad Russ is willing to help you. If something falls through with him, I could always give this a shot. If you aren't in a hurry!

Re: Who can machine plastic?
 

Easy to clamp, double sided tape

I would offer to do it for you, but am too busy atm.

Re: Who can machine plastic?
 

3mm is just way too think. Look at the original one, if you stand in front of it an look at it at a bit of an angle you can still look through as it is rather thin material. if you use the 3mm material it just won't have the looks of the original truck. Doing this by hand is really a waste of time, same for printing it and then fixing the surface. CNC is the way to go as it only takes a few minutes to get the g code but with thinner material or you get one to fire up the laser as stainless is pretty good if it is only 0,5mm and your grill will have the right looks.

Re: Who can machine plastic?
 

we have a local machine shop with a water jet, they can cut real thin but your piece needs to be atleast an inch bigger all the way around to give them something to clamp to, also if you set on plastic throw a thin sheet of tin under the plastic to keep the pressure from vibrating the plastic part ie the table spacing can be over an inch apart, good luck!

Re: Who can machine plastic?
 

Did you get anyone to make this for you yet? If not PM me, as I may have some down time on my machines this coming week

--Dan