CNC Laser Machine + Custom Designs + Adams extreme motivation = :)

[CAMAROBOY69]

Hopefully it will be ok listed in here.
I now have access to multiple laser CNC machines. With my knowledge of Autocad and Solid Works I now have the ability to produce many different items out of anything up to 3/4" steel, aluminum, wood, plastic and most other materials.
If you want your cars name in a piece of metal or emblem for your car with the sites name engraved in it let me know. I will probably design my own marker lights and interior lights now that I have access to everything I need. Turn around time will be extremely fast. Shipping will be free within reason.
I just roughly re-drew a rough version of Steves LS1 emblem in less than 30 minutes with nothing in front of me. :) All I would have to do now is send them the dwg and have them cut it out. Just that easy.
If you have ideas you want feel free to post them. I will not duplicate any item that Pascual Marquez has and I am not trying to compete with them. I support their business every way I can. I am opening other opportuinites for people with custom ideas.

[Matt@RFR]

What wattage are the lasers? Are they capable of cutting as well as etching? Can they control etch depth? (Z depth) What are their tolerances (size, location and repeatability)?

Define "extremely fast" turnaround please.

[CAMAROBOY69]

Thanks for the questions Matt. This is new to me so any feedback, questions or help will be great assistance.

-They have 4 lasers. 3,000watts
-They can cut and etch. Some etching approx .01 deep and others so faint you can hardly see it. Almost like a ghost etch
-Tolerance depends on material. I saw a couple cuts that were so close they were the size of hair without melting thru the side.
Steel 3/4" at the very most. They prefer 1/2" but can ocassionally do 3/4"
Stainless up to 3/8" thick
Aluminum 1/4" thick

I can design the part within a week at the latest. Usually I can do it that day but I dont want to make any promises. THats my definiton of "extreme" turn around for design. If you want it I will make sure it gets done within reason.
As for turn around time for the CNC laser, I guess I got really lucky getting mine back the same day. Their normal lead time is 2-3 weeks max.

I also will have access to a CNC mill so whateve I cant get done on CNC laser, I will have the mill.

If you have more questions please ask.

[CAMAROBOY69]

They are also set up to bend many thickness metal and just about any shape.

[BuddyP]

I assume they accept dxf files? I run autocad for a living... I have a local source that does laser cutting but on with steel and SS. This alum. source just may come in handy!! I may be interested in figuring out something with my rear tail lights... not sure if 3/4" will be thick enough or not though. I'll try and scetch something up and maybe I can email it to you and you can see what you think as far as the drawing is concerned.

[Matt@RFR]

What are the specs on the CNC mill? Spindle RPM, part envelope, 3,4, or 5 axis, etc.

Do they have a CNC lathe? If so, same questions.

Design doesn't matter...I'll send you a SolidWorks part.

[CAMAROBOY69]

I assume they accept dxf files? I run autocad for a living... I have a local source that does laser cutting but on with steel and SS. This alum. source just may come in handy!! I may be interested in figuring out something with my rear tail lights... not sure if 3/4" will be thick enough or not though. I'll try and scetch something up and maybe I can email it to you and you can see what you think as far as the drawing is concerned.
Yes they accept DXF files. I convery my Solid works files over to DXF files. Or I just convert my autocad files over. Either way works as long as its DXF in the end. The usually insert the Dxf then give me a quote.

[Martin71RS]

I love laser cutting... have a contact for it... he made me 10mm thick SS flanges for my turbo after a CAD drawing I made (dxf flie)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2005/08/flanges01-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2005/08/flanges02-1.jpg

[bnickel]

Adam, do you think you could do some side marker lights for my 69 stang? let me know if you can and about how much you think they might cost. also have an idea for some custom badges for my car as well but i'll have to get someone to draw them up for me.

Bryan

[Samckitt]

I would like to have some rear caliper brackets, I have them drawn in UG already. How much do you think it will cost to make them?

Scot

[Bigblue73]

Adam, please send me a PM with your phone number. I'm looking for another source for laser cutting for work.

Thanks.

Tony

[Hocky]

I have done some designs in Autocad and then a friend laser cuts it for me. Saves a lot of time and the result is very good. You can do complexe parts with this technique and a TIG. The biggest problem is to know when to stop thinking this way ;)

Fuel pump and filter in tank, complete with catch tank:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

Holes for exhaust thru frame:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

4-link and new frame kickup (not the best picture):
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[wendell]

This post isn't about buying stuff.

That said, is the laser really 3000W. I don't know anything about lasers for cutting but I did some Ramen Spectroscopy in college. Our rig was set up with about a 5w laser that would light cigs and blast quaters. What does a 3000W laser sound like? Is it heavily regulated by the government? I'd love to hear more about it.

[Mean 69]

That said, is the laser really 3000W. I don't know anything about lasers for cutting but I did some Ramen Spectroscopy in college. Our rig was set up with about a 5w laser that would light cigs and blast quaters. What does a 3000W laser sound like? Is it heavily regulated by the government? I'd love to hear more about it.

You have to keep in mind that there are tons of variables in defining how "cool" a laser is beyond just the power output figure. Cutting lasers for metal are almost always infrared lasers, with YAG (about one micron wavelength) and CO2 lasers being the most widely used. There are some processes that other lasers can do much better, for instance Excimer lasers that operate in the UV, with substantially lower power output. Wavelength, spectrum, beam size/quality, pulsed versus CW (continuous wave) and many other specifications play into the output. And you bet, lasers of all classes are defined, by the FDA (which is the Food and Drug Administration) in a subgroup called CDRH (Center for Devices and Radiological Health). The more harmful the light, the more the manufacturers need to do in order to provide safety (such as enclosed beam paths, interlocks on protective covers, etc).

Spectroscopic sources are typically lower power, broader spectrum and/or tunable wavelength in order to whack the source under test with different parameters to see how it responds.

Lasers flat out rock, I worked in the industry for almost fifteen years, it is amazing the things you can do with them (or rather, the things that you CAN'T do WITHOUT them, like making computer chips). The nastiest one I ever saw was at the University of Rochester, basically the top optics school in the country/world. The had a setup that used about 18 different laser sources all sync'd to fire at the exact same moment, which is an engineering feat to say the very least. The setup filled a huge building, and all of the beams were concentrated onto a target of Hydrogen gas. The goal was to create fusion, the same process the Sun uses to create its output, a completely clean source of power. The output of that laser was in the TerraWatt range, and was so powerful, that all of the mirrors, gain media, bascially everything in the beam path was destroyed after one pulse. Yeah baby, your tax dollars at work!

Sorry for the sidetrack, my other passion.....
Mark

[Steve Chryssos]

You have to keep in mind that there are tons of variables in defining how "cool" a laser is beyond just the power output figure. Cutting lasers for metal are almost always ............anufacturers need to do in order to provide safety (such as enclosed beam paths, interlocks on protective covers, etc).

Lasers flat out rock, I worked in the industry for almost fifteen years, it is amazing the things you can do with them (or rather, the things that you CAN'T do WITHOUT them, like making computer chips). The nastiest one I ever saw was at the University of Rochester, basically the top optics sch.........rraWatt range, and was so powerful, that all of the mirrors, gain media, bascially everything in the beam path was destroyed after one pulse. Yeah baby, your tax dollars at work!

Sorry for the sidetrack, my other passion.....
Mark

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
Well thank you Cliff Clavin.

"Well ya see, Norm, it's like this ... A herd of buffalo can only move as fast as the slowest buffalo. And when the herd is hunted, it is the slowest and weakest ones at the back that are killed first. This natural selection is good for the herd as a whole, because the general speed and health of the whole group keeps improving by the regular killing of the weakest members. In much the same way, the human brain can only operate as fast as the slowest brain cells. Excessive intake of alcohol, as we know, kills brain cells. But naturally, it attacks the slowest and weakest brain cells first. In this way, regular consumption of beer eliminates the weaker brain cells, making the brain a faster and more efficient machine. That's why you always feel smarter after a few beers."

[yody]

that is HILARIOUS@@##@!!! HA!!

[Steve1968LS2]

"Well ya see, Norm, it's like this ... A herd of buffalo can only move as fast as the slowest buffalo. And when the herd is hunted, it is the slowest and weakest ones at the back that are killed first. This natural selection is good for the herd as a whole, because the general speed and health of the whole group keeps improving by the regular killing of the weakest members. In much the same way, the human brain can only operate as fast as the slowest brain cells. Excessive intake of alcohol, as we know, kills brain cells. But naturally, it attacks the slowest and weakest brain cells first. In this way, regular consumption of beer eliminates the weaker brain cells, making the brain a faster and more efficient machine. That's why you always feel smarter after a few beers."

:lmao:

[wendell]

Forget all this money foolishness! The real thing to be concentrating on is LASERS!!! Mean69 lets hear some more laser stories. I've seen what happens when a reflector is mounted wrong side out. Very cool.
In school we used to hold molecules in big magnetic fields, excite them with microwaves and then shoot lasers at them. It was something about free radicals but I pertended that we were making some sort of Ironman robot/monster.

[Steve1968LS2]

Forget all this money foolishness! The real thing to be concentrating on is LASERS!!! Mean69 lets hear some more laser stories.

I want some friggen sharks with lasers.. is that too much to ask for?!?!?

[CAMAROBOY69]

I want some friggen sharks with lasers.. is that too much to ask for?!?!?
:rotfl: :rotfl:

[CAMAROBOY69]

Just for the record I appreciate all the support and positive feedback on this situation. I didnt like how it resulted in arguing and fighting. The nice thing is we will quickly get over it and move on. Ralph is right. I am not mad at all. Just quite confused especially with the gauge clusters. I only have the face CNC out then the rest I physically do by hand. You guys would be sick to your stomach if you knew what I made a year. I dont exaggerate when I say I simply do not make much money at all. Tony just made more money on 1 car than I make in 3 years. Im dead serious!!!!
I have come up with many ideas that people have wanted designs of.
-2002 dash mount brackets in 69 camaro
-4th gen rear seat brackets in 69 camaro
-4th gen front seat brackets
-4th gen 3 point front seat belt brackets
-4th gen 3 point entire rear seat brackets.
-4th gen console brackets
pretty much everything that people like in my car I have already designed but never showed ANYONE the desings. Still to this day no one has seen my designs for any of the listed items.
I never ever show people my idea designs and never offer to sell them. This is the VERY FIRST time I ever even considered making something for someone else. I just figured I would try it out since I received sooo many e-mails, PM and replies to make them. I never expected it to become an issue at all but I am extremely flattered in the positve feedback and support from the members of the site. :grouphug: :grouphug:

I will be talking to Larry on the phone tonight so we can hopefully ge this situation resolved.

[Mean 69]

Don't forget the "LASER" on the "DEATH STAR."

One MILLION dollars..... Moo-hoo-hahahahahaaaaaa

One of the engineers that worked for me was setting up a diagnostic table for testing one of the bigger excimers we were making. It was a pulsed laser, pretty hot little laser pulses. Anyway, he hears this "pop, pop, pop" happening at the same time as the laser was firing. What the heck? Looks at the other side of the table, the laser was firing right at one of the PhD's hitting him right in the a$$.

Okay, enough geek. I'm out.
M

[Steve Chryssos]

I have come up with many ideas that people have wanted designs of.
-2002 dash mount brackets in 69 camaro
-4th gen rear seat brackets in 69 camaro
-4th gen front seat brackets
-4th gen 3 point front seat belt brackets
-4th gen 3 point entire rear seat brackets.
-4th gen console brackets
I will be talking to Larry on the phone tonight so we can hopefully ge this situation resolved.

Sounds like great stuff. I'm sure Larry will help you figure out a way to help you promote your parts. The solution will be way better than any single post. It'll work out for the best in the long run. As for sellin parts, go slow at first and stick to what you know. You have a lot to figure out from boxes to collecting money and everything in between.
I wish you all the best.
/Steve