Metal Laser Cutting

[DavidJHolmes]

Hi Everyone,

Could these be made by laser cutting?



I cant find them to buy anywhere. They are soldered to a PCB to create a connector when in the case. How much do you think I'd be looking at? £££'s??

[tweakie]

Spooky will know as he has a couple of machines going spare but I think you would be looking at a second user price upwards of £100,000.
The laser would only cut the profile which would then need finishing to clean up the part so overall a 'press tool' may be a better option for these items.

Tweakie.

[DavidJHolmes]

Thanks for the reply. I can't afford the machine, just looking for someone to make them. Trying to find the cheapest possible way at the moment

[PhillyDee]

To be quite honest, if its only a couple that are required, probably just make them by hand. You could find someone with a small milling machine. If they are totally flat, you could get them lasrred. If not, then maybe laser with hand dressing. What quantites andmaterial?

[DavidJHolmes]

To be quite honest, if its only a couple that are required, probably just make them by hand. You could find someone with a small milling machine. If they are totally flat, you could get them lasrred. If not, then maybe laser with hand dressing. What quantites andmaterial?

I could do with 1000 of the large, 500 of the small and made in maybe copper, or nickle alloy. Something suitable for conducting electricity as they form a male connector.

[Spooky]

Hiya David,

Not really something I would take on to be honest, what thickness is the material?

You maybe able to get somewhere with Chris at HPC as he has fibre lasers as well now. Is there anything commercially available that could be adapted?

I've mothballed my metal cutters for the foreseeable future, they cost more to run than the return on them

best wishes

Dave

[DavidJHolmes]

Hiya David,

Not really something I would take on to be honest, what thickness is the material?

You maybe able to get somewhere with Chris at HPC as he has fibre lasers as well now. Is there anything commercially available that could be adapted?

I've mothballed my metal cutters for the foreseeable future, they cost more to run than the return on them

best wishes

Dave

Cheers Dave,

Its 0.8mm thick in a conductive alloy or copper. I've asked a few local firms and they've quoted £5k so far which is way out of my budget. To be honest I was thinking maybe £1k! Shows how little I know. That was for them to be pressed and included tooling costs.

I've looked for something that could be adapted but there just doesn't seem to be anything within the length I need. The smaller ones could probably be better adapted out of some quick connects. I'll have to have a proper look.

What is a fibre laser??

[Daven]

Can you adapt any of these?

Dave

[PhillyDee]

I company I used to work for may be able to help. Though I did work in the Aerospace division.

Check under Low Cost Tooling

http://www.ford-components.com/capabilities

0.8mm copper sounds easily within the thin materials spec. Could give them a shout. They also make their own press tooling, but this would be expensive.

[DavidJHolmes]

Can you adapt any of these?

Dave

I looked at those, but they'd need too much adapting.