Non Machinist needs advice & help

[jempro]

Hi all very new here, just signed up. This is going to sound pretty ass backwards but I have just bought a Syil X7 which will be delivered in a few weeks and i know nothing about machining or very little.

Just a short explanation, i have a partnership in a workshop in Perth WA, we are pretty specialised in Electronics Sheet Metal and Screen Printing which has nothing to do with machining right? We have been outsourcing a small aluminium enclosure for many years now, we run 100 or so at a time 5/6 times a year & they have been very stable at that level but more importantly they are just 1 of many products we make for this customer. They know it's not what we do but it works for them & that's fine by us.

What i'm hoping for is some advice on software & maybe some help to get my head around it and perhaps as far as help to program this unit & suggestions the best way to approach this job. The enclosure is two part a Lid & Base
Lid = L 125mm W 79mm H 15mm
Base = L 125mm W 79mm H 25mm

Controller
SIEMENS Sinumerik 808D/A

Travels
X-Axis 15.7" (400mm)
Y-Axis 11.8" (300mm)
Z-Axis 14.9" (380mm

Table Size
27.6" x 11.8" (700mm x 300mm)

[pippin88]

Photo or drawing of the finished part?

Just cut outs of a stock aluminium box?

Do you have other designs / parts to make?

[rodw]

I'm assuming this enclosure is machined out of billet. I have a friend who does a lot of similar work on an older Syil based on a Seig SX3 mill. HF enclosures and the like with even the screws set at 1/4 wavelength apart. Sounds like its ideal for a syil.
I had a quick look at my ally supplier's catalog (Action Aluminium - who is not in WA) and he does not list any suitable bar stock. So I would ask him to cut strips 80mm wide from 16mm and 25mm flat plate which he will do.

So I would start by doing the rounds of the suppliers over there and see how they can help you out.

Plus I'd take a sample to a couple of machinists and talk to your existing contractor to see how they would do it.

My friend now uses Fusion 360 for CAM even if he works in other CAD programs.

[jempro]

Thanks for replying Rod, I have the material stock sorted, I don't think my contractor would be too pleased to know he won't be getting the job anymore & probably not keen too advise us. Yes it seems a lot of people are liking Fusion 360, i fell out of love with AutoCad a few yrs back so not keen on their products. thanks for your thoughts I appreciate it.

Bill

[jempro]

Thanks for the reply,

Photo or drawing of the finished part? - it's a screenshot from my CAD

Just cut outs of a stock aluminium box? - No it's milled from two different sized billets

Do you have other designs / parts to make? - Hopefully but not right now

[pippin88]

Photo or drawing of the finished part? - it's a screenshot from my CAD

I don't see any attachment / photo on any of your posts.

[rodw]

Yes it seems a lot of people are liking Fusion 360, i fell out of love with AutoCad a few yrs back so not keen on their products. thanks for your thoughts I appreciate it.

Bill

I won't say I'm liking Fusion after using Solidworks. Its different I will say but I am better with it now