Re: Now if this could be used to make Packard parts

Posted by HH56 On 2011/8/4 20:19:58
Quote:

Mike O'Handley wrote:
Hi,

Actually, though Jay is "well heeled" this machine is not that expensive. I saw that video about a year ago, so I didn't watch it this time; however, if memory serves, that machine costs less than $5K.

It's kind of wondrous and it's kind of sad at the same time. As a young man, I worked as a mechanic for a short time in a huge foundry in Connecticut and I used to marvel at the intricate patterns made out of wood in the pattern shop there. One of these machines can probably put a whole shop full of old time pattern makers out of work by producing patterns in a fraction of the time it takes to fabricate them by hand.

If you're a machine shop that specializes in recreating parts for classoc cars and you need something to create accurate patterns to work from, that machine is a very good investment. In fact, it would probably be a good investment for a club. Members could replicate the part they need in 3D and then turn it over to a machine shop/forge so that the machine shop could use that pattern to exactly recreate the part needed.

Have you ever watched that Discovery Channel show, American Chopper? They have a water jet milling machine that can cut very intricate parts out of solid metal using only water and a computerized pattern keyed into the machine. Imagine coupling this technology to something like that!

Mike O'Handley
Kenmore, WA



Totally agree. Didn't realize the machines had come down in price that much but even more the opportunity--although the cost of the software and 3D laser scanner should up the ante still. I have seen the battling Teutul's show and their machinery. That type of cutting machine was one of the reasons I thought Lehigh compressor reed valves could be made so easily after being scanned in. Maybe I'm wrong but thought the real expense part of any work like that was the time involved in doing the CAD drawing and amortizing the drafting. With a scanner in the process doing the heavy lifting, would think the remainder should be negligible. Fine tuning the program or pattern, then sending it to a machine or casting shop. Price of the material, time needed for someone to mount it in the machine or fill the sand flasks and the profit. While not cheap, I wouldn't think that should require 3000 copies or a down payment on the national debt.

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