Not a CNC guy, basic questions, help?

[williewonka]

Hey all,

I have zero CNC or machinist background, I'm in engineering. Due to my extreme ignorance, I have some very basic questions. Maybe you can help?

The basic idea: I need to have some smallish parts cut from 6061 T6. The parts are similar in size and shape to something like the cam lobes on an engine's camshaft....call them 1/4" thick and about the diameter of a penny. Assuming I have a CAAD file (the shape is a log spiral) of the part, and that the part is just the shape with two additional drilled holes....


1. What is the minimum # of units where a shop will accept this kind of work?

2. If I have the CAAD file, what am I looking at in setup costs?

3. Assuming a big enough run that someone would do the work, and with the shop providing the material, what kind of ballpark price am I looking at for say 1000 units (*when I say ballpark, I'm truly ignorant here...$100per 1000, $1000 per 1000?, I have no idea)

[williewonka]

20 views, nobody has a clue? Really? So much for "largest machinist community"

[HughF]

Get your dxf and stick it in the rfq section... simples

[HuFlungDung]

Yes, posting an RFQ is your best bet. In particular, you need to specify the precision required in the profile shape, or else, disclose what its function is. The precision of thickness and finish on the top and bottom sides can also have a bearing on how the part is produced, and therefore on the cost. Any sort of post machining process might also affect the price of the part in terms of minimum lot size.

If the relationship between the holes and the contour is rquired to be precise, this will also affect the price.