My first product off the Haas

[TravisR100]

I had a few people ask me in other threads what I was going to be making with the new SMM2. My first product is a static port cover for an aircraft. Attached you will find pictures of the first prototype part. It's basically done except for the engraving. The part you see was a test engraving which is why it is engraved on both the front and back side. That's also why the lettering isn't properly aligned on the part. I hope to have the first batch back from the engraver done properly this week so I can get them listed for sale. For pictures of the process leading up to these, see this thread:

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?p=688406

[Geof]

Originally Posted by TravisR100 .....I hope to have the first batch back from the engraver done properly this week so I can get them listed for sale.....

You are not engraving them on the Haas?

[TravisR100]

They're being laser engraved. I probably could have done it on the Haas but I wanted the smooth finish from the laser. Can you get as smooth a finish as a laser by doing it on the machine?

[Geof]

Smooth as a laser? Not really because of course you have to engrave into the metal a few thou. But parts engraved after anodizing can look very nice especially done with a very sharp cutter. You are limited regarding font using the G47 engraving routine but if you are using CAM you can do almost anything.

[crabbass]

You didn't show the extra operation of drilling the holes in the side for the attachment of the yellow flag. Did you get your SMM-2 prewired for a 4th? With a rotary fixture you could complete this step without re-mounting! I agree with Geof engraved text on an anodized part looks great, lazer is nice, but it is an additional step and wont last as long as a cut lettering.

[Matt@RFR]

Originally Posted by crabbass lazer is nice, but it is an additional step and wont last as long as a cut lettering.

Especially once you consider that these parts will presumeably be outside for a lot of their life, the anodizing will fade and the laser etching will not stand out as well, if at all.

[TravisR100]

Crab, no, I didn't show this step. It added a fourth op. I don't have a fourth axis. I'll have to look into doing the engraving on the machine.

[HelicopterJohn]

Hi Travis,

Your part looks really nice. Wish you best of luck with sales!

John

[l u k e]

Been following your threads with interest.
But what the heck is a static port cover, what is it's job? I googled it awhile back and didn't find anything.

[Geof]

Originally Posted by l u k e Been following your threads with interest. But what the heck is a static port cover, what is it's job? I googled it awhile back and didn't find anything.

A static port cover is a figure eight shaped bit of aluminum with O-rings in the circles of the eight. It is used to cover a static port.

That answer is technically correct and completely useless.

[TravisR100]

Geof.

Luke:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pitot-static_system
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Static_port.JPG

The static ports on this aircraft are very similar to those pictured in the second link above however they are obviously much closer together.

[l u k e]

Funny Geof.

Travis, how/why is there a viable market for "you" to make these? Just curious, I would think that the market for this would be tough given how old the industry is.