CnC Milling?

quickfuze

New member
I am interested in messing arround with some CnC mold making using 3d capture software and poducing green stuff pieces from these mold. Anyone have any tips on affordable milling systems? I expect to spend some money, but have been able to locate a \"hobby\" machine. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 

Legacy Account

Active member
Expect to pay thousands for something good enough to work on 25mm scale stuff. Even the dodgy Denford Triacs that we\'ve got in schools still go for serious cash 10 years after buying them.
 

airhead

Coffin Dodger / Keymaster
CnC\'s aint cheep, most got $10k & up.

my dentist has a small 3 axis machine that will mill an onlay. After a 3d image of the tooth is taken, the machine mills a crown to fit the broken/chipped tooth. Have no idea what he shelled out for the machine, but the onlay was cheaper than a crown.
 

airhead

Coffin Dodger / Keymaster
why not just talk to a good machine shop that has a CnC machine? You can either provide them drawings or save a bit more money and provide them the code. I\'d talk first and get a general idea of whay you are talking about:
matierials,
coding time if you don\'t provide it.
CnC run time.

number of parts is crucial. The first one is very expensive, after that, they get downright cheap - kinda like silkscreen shirts, lots of upfront costs.

Reaper is using CnC for masters on some of their CAV minis - don\'t know how much is business secrete, but they could probably point you in the right direction.

Without giveing up patent rights, can you give us a general idea of what you are after?
 

Legacy Account

Active member
Or you could just go straight for stereo-lithographical mastering...

I\'ll post a link when I get home. It\'s surprisingly cheap really.
 
A lot of the #D rapid protyping done these days is done in Rhino 3D heres the companys website once you have a design their are many services who will output your designs for you

Keep in mind its still not that inexpensive to do.. Rhino costs anywhere from 600-900 depending where you buy it and output time is about $15.00 a hour.. a small 10mm tank model for a game like cav can take 30-40 hours to print.

The details can be spectacular.
 

minimaker

New member
Originally posted by SpacemunkieProbably restricted to slightly larger, action fig and bust scales, but it\'s worth a go I reckon :)
That\'s a form of 3d printing actually, not stereo lithography. That\'s more expensive but has a better precision and finish. This is the finish of the printer: http://www.3darttopart.com/product%20info.php
(bottom of page)
 

finn17

New member
If I am not mistaken...

A lengthy apprenticeship is also necessary unless you are already qualified in engineering. Far better to outsource I would imagine..
 
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