Hello fellow members,
I run a tiny company part time that makes small aluminum parts for a rather niche market. I have sold over 600 units of our first product and have since developed 2 additional products (this handle is one of them) that I expect to be even more popular- and profitable. I’ve created a video documenting my production process for a cam style quick release handle to show, in detail, the steps I take to make these parts.
I’ve made over 100 of these parts but it took me nearly 6 weeks to do it. Actually, it’s not as bad as it seems. I have Fridays off from my real job so that is my day to work in the shop. I also spent many additional hours working on them during the weekends when the kids will allow (two girls, ages 2 and 5).
My problem is this… it takes far too long to make these parts and there is far too much labor involved! I’m looking for advice on cutting these parts out in such a way that tooling marks are kept to a minimum and cutting speed is at its maximum. Obviously there is only so much that my little Taig CNC mill can handle and perhaps I am already getting all I can out of it. Hopefully those who are more experienced in the world of machining can make some suggestions to a young pup like me that will increase the efficiency of milling these parts.
I’m also not opposed to moving into a bigger machine. I’ve been researching a 3 axis full servo drive turnkey CNC Mill by IH CNC & Machinery (
http://www.ihcnc.com/pages/cnc-mill.php) and it seems like an impressive machine. This is a huge step up from what I have and, if it’s necessary, I can justify the nearly $12k investment. In the meantime though, I’m looking for shortcuts, tricks, and improved techniques to make my life easier. Heaven forbid these new products take off once I begin advertising them and I’m unable to keep up with demand because I didn’t tool up correctly or was doing things the hard way because of my inexperience.
I’ve only been at this for about 6 months so don’t beat me up too badly, but everyone’s advice, as well as criticism, is welcome.
Thanks,
-Aaron
View the video here:
http://gaugerfamily.com/cnc/milling_handle6.htm...or if you're not using IE, try this instead:
http://gaugerfamily.com/cnc/milling_handle6.html