Weekend CNC project

Robert E Morey · Post by **Robert E Morey** » Mon Feb 01, 2010 4:53 am

Some pix of my weekend CNC project. I made some 1/6 scale lift hooks in brass. These will be soon used for casting masters. The black ABS plastic pieces were to test the programs before cutting metal. The hooks involved 4 separate CNC programs, one for the trapezoid baseplate shape, 2nd for the side "hook" profile, third for the two bolt holes, and the final one for the underside with the mounting pin. The bolts will be fake as the hook will be a detail part not actually functional. It was a fun challenging project to learn some new CAM software. I included some pics of the CAD model, and final CAD assembly (with bolt heads). The single smaller cross hole will be drilled on manual mill.

Happy building. First the idea...

Then lots of machining.....

To finish machined parts....

Adrian Harris · Post by **Adrian Harris** » Mon Feb 01, 2010 7:51 am

Wonderful looking parts Bob.

Do you need to decide how to split up the cutting process or does the software tell you how to it wants the material presented ?

Adrian.

Sven Strobbe · Post by **Sven Strobbe** » Mon Feb 01, 2010 10:41 am

Bob

I didn't realize those pieces were that small after the pictures with the coin...
Amazing job but it was to be expected of you...

Can't wait till i get my hands on a CNC machine...

Regards

Sven

Brian Leach · Post by **Brian Leach** » Mon Feb 01, 2010 3:41 pm

Bob,

Nice job!

I just bought an EMCO FB-2 and cannot wait to try to do something like what you did.

Looks really good,
Brain

Robert E Morey · Post by **Robert E Morey** » Tue Feb 02, 2010 3:21 pm

Adrian,
Thanks for the comment. You (the machinist) must decide how to machine the part. But you do it just like if you were manually making it. Theres a top profile (looking down on the part), theres a side profile, a base profile, and the holes. So that would be the breakdown for CNC machining as well. This particular part required 4 separate machining programs.

Sven, thanks for the very nice compliment. Making the plastic set up and practice parts was crucial to success making them in brass. This was my first attempt machining a part using a DXF 2D path.

Brian, congrats on getting the FB-2! I'm sure it will give you a lifetime of enjoyment!

Happy tank building all. -Bob

Robert E Morey · Post by **Robert E Morey** » Sat Feb 13, 2010 4:05 am

Couple pix of the finished hooks. These will be used as masters for a spin cast mold.