Prototype Material?

[TeccBoxx]

I was wondering what you guys use for prototype material. I need a piece around

 

12.5" x 8.5" x 4.5"

 

Plus cost is a major factor. Anyone have any suggestions.

[Sandybar]

It depends if the part need to be functional or just to see what it looks like.

 

Pattern Pine is cheap but it is not a good for fuctional.

 

A billet of aluminum that size will cost about $300.

 

I like aluminun for functionality.

 

If that is to much go with Hot toll steel. It will cost about 150.00

[TeccBoxx]

Thanks for the reply Sandybar where is exactly are you getting that size aluminum for that prize my distributer was going to charge around $1000 for 6061 aluminum.

[connormac]

there is a plastic mat'l made just for proto-type work. You can melt the plastic back down and re-use it again. I don't remember what it is called.

 

hope this helps

[iowajim62]

Hi Tazzer,

Don't know where you're at, but here in California that size block would be around $100.00

[Chris Rizzo]

If your just looking for a "looks like" or proofing prototype, we like to use a polyurathane foam..Trade name is "last-a-foam". It is available in a number of different densities, depending on how much detail or surface finish you might be after. A good source is General Plastics, in Tacoma Washington.. phone 235-473-5000. They sent us some 12"x12"x6" samples for free. The major plus with this stuff is you can cut it as fast as your machine can run!

[Sandybar]

Dont use 6061, instead use Cast Aluminum its alot cheaper.

[CNCme]

Most companys have what is called drops.

An alum. bar end, many sizes, from 12'

bars, called drops...I got drops close

to the size you specified fo about $60-70

The thing that makes the alum. cutoff

so expensive is the cutting...From a 12

footer.

 

You will be able to get close to your

size...you might have to cut one or two

sides....but it still cheep to ask for

a drop.

 

HTH

 

Tony G

Unemployed Programmer

N.E Massachusetts - Southern New Hampshire

_________________________________________

 

End mills and tooling are like The "AMMO"

and coolant and chips are like the enemy

under your boots as you advance in the

Manufacturing Battle.

_________________________________________

 

[ 03-22-2003, 08:51 PM: Message edited by: CNCme ]

[TeccBoxx]

Thanks guys for all the help I really appreciate all the help you have provided.

[TheePres]

Tazzer, not sure where you at but as IOWA stated I could also get that for $100..Their is some foam like material with trade name "ButterBoard" that you could also look into.

[Tony]

"Drops"

Anyone that knows about Drops

Gets an A+....

[CAM-mando]

Freeman makes a machineable wax. You can remelt it. Holds size pretty well.

 

Give you an idea of price ... MSC sells a 12" x 6" x 3" block for $48. You can glue it together if needed.

 

look here for more info:

Machinable Materials

 

[ 03-22-2003, 11:02 PM: Message edited by: CAMmando ]

[Trevor Bailey]

Depending on whether or not the model needs to be a working prototype, you may want to use RenShape. It is very sound and extremely easy to machine. You can paint it to get the texture you need for display purposes.

 

If it has to be a working proto, then maybe look into ABS - plastic.

[Mark Lovelace]

Tazzer,

 

Butterboard is excellent stuff. Machines very fast and leaves a smooth finish. It only comes in stock sizes, though, so to get the dimensions you need you might have to buy a 12" x 24" x 6" sheet, at around $250. On the plus side, this will give you lots of future stock for proofing other projects.

 

There are also various weight foams available that will give you a good indication of the finished shape, but they won't provide a smooth surface. Either material is available through Golden West Mfg, at 530-272-1133.

[skeetboy25]

I do 90% of my work in butter board and I love the stuff! requires no coolant, cuts as fast as you can feed and wont chip! I have had bad luck with some cheaper, similar foamed epoxy type products, but actuall butter board is awsome!

[Scott Bond]

Hi all

I have used the Renshape mentioned earlier.

Hi Tony "Drops "

I think we call these "Remnates"---or Rems

Can I still have an A ?

 

[ 03-24-2003, 01:06 AM: Message edited by: Scott Bond ]

[Zero]

We build prototypes here. I've never used butterboard myself, but the guys here that have been building models for 25 years seem to hate the stuff. Something about the smell when cutting, among other things. If the prototype is only a form study, we'll use the poly-based foam mentioned earlier by cmr. That will be the cheapest and quikckest to cut. Very easily damaged though... If you need it to last a little longer go with the renshape Trevor mentioned. still a breeze to cut, with a density similar to that of wood. If it's a working prototype or has thin areas you might want to go with a hard palstic such as ABS or Acrylc.

[Tony]

Sure Scott

An "A" for the same Principal:

Scale covered, Hard spots,

Probally won't clean up to the size you were hoping for ,Steel that Nobody wants.

[iowajim62]

Hi Tony,

We call our saw drops "slugs"

Scaly,Hardspots sounds like CRS

No not, Can't Remember Sh_t

Cold Rolled Steel

[Greg McKay]

MDF has been suggested.

 

cheap

 

Get it at builder supply place. "A real one not "home depot" or "lowes".

[Jeremiah]

We use a foam on very complex parts. One thing to keep in mind, if the actual part is 6AL4V or something similar, you might fly thru the foam and end up fighting the actual part to get speeds/feeds depth/widths dialed in. Yes, I am speaking from a bad experience.

 

my $.02

 

Jeremiah

[Mark Lovelace]

Zoiks! Not MDF! It is indeed a great material for certain things, if you're set up for it, but it is also really abrasive. It will dull cutters in no time at all, and it makes a lot of really nasty, fine dust that gets everywhere.

 

Sorry, Greg. Not meaning to dis you. It's just that I've used a lot of it, and that's the experience I've had with it.

[Trevor Bailey]

I second Mark on that one. Really big mess