Originally Posted by william_c  Thanks for the reply guys, Well me and my buddy are going in together and figured we can put in like $5K each so 10K, What we want to do is this
create a 3D model then make a prototype, or if someone sends us a part reverse engineer it to create data
then we want to take the 3D model or reverse engineer data from scanned parts and create molds.
once we then have the molds then make the injection molded parts in hard ABS or some other strong plastic.
We have seen desktop a 3D scanner, desktop CNC machines, desktop plastic injection machines. So I am not sure if we are on the right track or not?
So if we can cut our own molds we feel it would save time and be cheaper? Please let me know if you guys can help as we are open to learning and listening to what is the best way to go about this :-) |
10K is gonna be slim to say the least. If you "have seen" these machines, perhaps you could do some research into specifics to find out it if it meets the needs of what you want to do. There are MANY benchtop milling machines, both homebrew conversions and commercial products. Not all of them will do what you want, and the only way to find out is research. Same with the other things. You need specifics, specific machines, tolerances etc.
Cutting your own molds is a good thing, but understand that just the act of MAKING the mold is an art unto itself. Reverse engineering is another story entirely, and molding is as well. At the very least I'd look around to find a local injection shop that's willing to work with you and actually make parts from your molds.
Again, 10k most likely won't get you where you want to go, especially if you have no experience actually doing this kind of thing. Mistakes are both valuable an expensive, and learning how to do stuff on your own will involve a bunch of these. Again, it's not to discourage you, but I think it's important to be realistic about stuff like this. Start small, with one portion of the project and work up from there. Trying to do a full bore mold shop at home is a BIG project. Take it one step at a time.