[Closed] CNC

I think it depends on the complexity of the parts you're going to make, the number of axes you need control of, number chucks, size of billet etc etc. You really can chuck as much money as you like at these things. For an industrial 5-axis machining centre you'll be starting at several tens-of-thousands and go up from there. Unless you are planning on multi-year pay-back with continuous production, sub-ing out batch production would be cheaper. IME/O.

Would you be looking to supply the NC code, get them to develop it form 3D model, or work it up from 2D drawings and test the cut-paths?

It'll be quite expensive to set yourself up. There are some basic machines available for around £1000 but you can get something reasonable 2nd hand for 3x that. You'll also need a good stock of sheet material and reasonable space.

Getting one-offs or small batches can be pretty cheap. There are plenty of companies out there. Either 2D/3D milling or routing and laser cutting will do. Just email them a drawing with numbers. Laser cutting is usually the cheapest, maybe around £1-£5 for a small (10cm) part. Prices shoot down with quantity.

EDIT: Also 1-2mm is very thin for wood and pretty thin for plastic.

Give my mate a call, he has a small CNC router that he does small prototype work for folk on:

http://www.xtremedesignkendal.com/HTML/Prototyping.htm

As nickjb says - that's pretty thin. Have you thought about waterjet cutting? Aquablast in Gt Yarmouth used to do jobbing work.

EDIT: Doesn't look like they're there any more.

I'm out of my depth.

The components are about 80x70mm, 1mm thick, very simple, I'd need to produce 10 for about £2.50 for it to be viable (excluding material costs). I'd produce all of the CAD/Modelling and would be looking to start with 2000 or so units.

I'm simply speculating, taking a bit of a risk. Like I said all advice and links/contacts are extremely helpful.

Put it this way - if you sub-out the production of 2000-ish parts, that is a fixed cost - and assuming you sell them all then you should at least break even. This way someone else has the hastle of sourcing material, developing any NC code required, finishing, quality control etc. All you have to do is pick up the phone and get the best price you can for the finished product.

To do the manufacture yourself - at this stage - will require you to have the headache of all those tasks PLUS the capital cost of the machines and stock material which are still your problem/debt if you sell nothing/the project doesn't come off.

1mm wood would be very fragile. 1mm plastic would be pretty flexible (similar to a plastic stationery folder). Depends what you are making if that is appropriate. You need to know what plastic you want. Acrylic is probably the most popular for small batches if you want a good finish but 1mm would be weak. PVC would stronger. Aluminum probably wouldn't be much different in price

I doubt you'd get them down to 25p each CNCd. Maybe from china. Its worth emailing a few UK companies just to get an idea. I've used dennyplastics and apt123 before. Both were OK.

If you want to email me off a public forum you are welcome to. If I had a bit more detail there might be some other options.

This doesn't help the OP at all (sorry), but my eldest duaghter has today been on a taster day at a local school. As part of the day they did a DT lesson in which they got to produce their own laser cut plastic 'thing' for on top of their pencils.
She was well impressed but not half as much as me - the stuff kids get to use at school now is amazing!

The set up time for any job will be the same whether you want 10 or 1000, that's what will drive the cost for such a small number. From the sound of it you don't want multi axis cnc stuff, just to cut out from sheet. For only, I'd try by hand unless it was a really complex profile. Start with a metal template as a master.
You could look on some of the radio control model forums, they use small routers to cut out foam models.
Look here for a start:
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1175772

CNC = computer numeric controlled what?
CNC Water jet cutter?
CNC milling machine?
CNC laser?
CNC wire cutter,

I was a cnc milling machine operator/programmer for 20 yrs, i'd say contract the work out (to China)

A decent m/c, even though i don't know what you want, will cost lots and lots because thats the nature of it. Plus tooling 😉

There are companies which will allow you to upload a .part file to their website and receive a rapid manufactured component through the post. I remember reading one such advert in Professional Engineer a few weeks back, I'll try and dig it out.