Help with best machining process?

[tcj2219]

Hello,

Would someone be able to advise what machining process would have been used to machine this aluminum instrument housing? From the attached image it appears that it may have been manufactured in a turning process? If so, how are the mounting ears cut? Before or after the turning of the housing?

One last question if I may? The front has a small threaded ring that secures the front glass to the housing. How would this small threaded ring be manufactured?

I am trying to duplicate the housing if possible, and not sure the best machining method? Instrument is late 1930's vintage if this helps. I have little metal working experience, sorry if this is a stupid question.

Thank you in advance for your reply.

Regards, Troy

[Geof]

It was probably diecast and then the body turned on a lathe and the thread for the ring on the front also done on a lathe; in this case the 'ears' would be cast not cut.

Duplicating the shape precisely may be quite a challenge but if a square front with just corners radiused is okay it could be done on a CNC milling machine from a block of aluminum.

[SORCHEROR]

that part could be done in a new modern cnc lathe with live tooling,but back than im sure it was cast and machined,you could cut it in a cnc mill if you have one
the part looks like its turned even on the ears,maybe a screw machine did them with cam followers,i would bet on it

[eartaker]

This piece would not be hard to replicate. The inner housing could be made on a Lathe and the treads could also be turned. The ears could easily be cut on a CNC mill with ease. Its all in the programming.

[will gilmore]

You could do the entire thing on a cnc mill and thread mill the threaded parts. If you are just making 1 or 2 you could do it on a manual mill and lathe using a boring bar or similar on the mill to cut the curved shapes in the ears and filing to finish.