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geekhack Community => Off Topic => Topic started by: RiGS on Fri, 25 February 2011, 11:14:10

Title: CNC milling course
Post by: RiGS on Fri, 25 February 2011, 11:14:10

Just want to let you all know, that I have just started a CNC milling course, so custom metal keyboard cases will become a reality in the future.

Title: CNC milling course
Post by: audioave10 on Fri, 25 February 2011, 11:16:53

Cool! I worked a little with CNC mills, but machine shops don't always stay in business very long where I live unless they are huge.

Title: CNC milling course
Post by: Mr. Perfect on Sat, 26 February 2011, 22:11:04

Where do you get training like that? Is it a six month course? CNCs look like a lot of fun, but they always seem to be expensive.

Title: CNC milling course
Post by: RiGS on Sun, 27 February 2011, 04:06:57

Quote from: Mr. Perfect;301580

Where do you get training like that? Is it a six month course? CNCs look like a lot of fun, but they always seem to be expensive.

This is an eight month technician course in Hungary and the tuition is about 1500$.

Title: CNC milling course
Post by: chimera15 on Sun, 27 February 2011, 06:03:52

Cool.  Been watching JMEMantzel on youtube.  He's building a giant robot.  He just got a laser cutter.  I couldn't believe how cheap they are.  It looks like you can get a 100w laser cutter for under 5 grand that would cut metal sheets.  I think that might be the best way to go.  I just need a job now. lol  I could probably make money back by doing jobs for people if I could just get the machine.

I was doing research on ebay.  It looks like a 60w laser is enough to cut aluminum which is all I would need, and you can get that for only a few thousand.

I think this is the one he got.

http://cgi.ebay.com/40W-CO2-Laser-Engraver-Cutter-Direct-Print-USA-/230591092084?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35b04cd574 (http://cgi.ebay.com/40W-CO2-Laser-Engraver-Cutter-Direct-Print-USA-/230591092084?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35b04cd574)

Title: CNC milling course
Post by: RiGS on Sun, 27 February 2011, 13:29:44

I'm afraid you need more than just a laser cutter to make a metal case.

Title: CNC milling course
Post by: blainchen on Sun, 27 February 2011, 14:26:06

Quote from: chimera15;301677

I was doing research on ebay.  It looks like a 60w laser is enough to cut aluminum which is all I would need, and you can get that for only a few thousand.

I think you will need at least 5kW optical power to cut aluminium (60W should be enough for aluminium foil)
Problem in cutting any metal is the reflection itself. Aluminium reflects about 98% of the light.