My company specializes in the design and structural analysis of products. Customers come to us when they need help bringing a new product to market, or to help them improve existing ones.

We have aquired a small CNC machine, which is capable of creating new parts from solid steel or aluminum (billet), from designs I create in CAD.

http://transam.upiprime.com/forums/cnc.jpg

(For anyone that cares, we use Pro/ENGINEER to generate both the part geometry, and to define the cutter paths.)

We have yet to get the machine operational, as it would require us to run a new electrical service to it. Before we do however, I was just testing the waters to see if there is a market for custom, one-off parts.

The idea is that customers would send us their needs. Maybe its a sample part they need another one of, maybe its a broken part they need a new one of, or maybe even just a photograph with dimensions, or a hand sketch. I would then create the part in CAD, and fabricate it on the CNC.

http://transam.upiprime.com/forums/part.jpg

The cost to the customer would simply be an hourly rate to create the CAD model + hourly rate for CNC + material + shipping.

So is it worth it to get the machine up and running? Please vote!

The guys over on my Trans Am forum were asking about custom wheel center caps.

http://transam.upiprime.com/forums/cap_part.jpg

The guys over on my Trans Am forum were asking about custom wheel center caps.

That's something I'm looking at but I need to get my caps measured at a friends shop so a cut file can be made.

As long as you already have the machine, why not fire it up and use it? You may not make much here, although I'm sure some will be needing one-off parts, but I would expect between us and your other forum you mentioned, plus "official" buisness, it would be well worth it.

Devin

why not fire it up and use it?

Because I requires a special 220v, 3 Phase service to be installed with a step down transformer. It's not an expense I am will to spend unless I feel I can justify it with enough jobs. That's why I am running the poll.

Because I requires a special 220v, 3 Phase service to be installed with a step down transformer.
No problem! Just send it to Norway, 220v is standard around here :P !

I like the wheel cap idea. And I also think it would be cool to make some one off custom rear veiw mirrors. Shifter knobs etc. you could come up with one design and transfer it out thru all the parts. I know that they already make some stuff like that, but most of it looks cheap and cheesy. So if you haven't scrapped the idea of gettin it up and running then let me know I am full of ideas on parts and would be more than happy to help you out with ideas that would sell!

I love CNC's and recently posted a review in the Vendor Forum about a guy who made billet badges for me. They are beautiful, but they ain't cheap.

A concern is that one-offs may be cost prohibitive due to your design and set-up expense. Are small production runs an option?

For instance, the disc caliper brackets needed to upgrade 5th gens to C5 brakes? I believe there is a market for a small run, but not at a $100 a pair like one vendor charges. For all I know, a CNC can't handle the metal needed for brake parts, but the small production run idea may possibly be valid.

Your thoughts?

Heck, if I was a rich engineer with a CNC in my office, I'd have a billet gauge cluster and other dash panels, an ECC logo on my TPI throttle body plate (I'd even contribute more to get one.), a billet name plate on my desk, billet shoes, ...

Take care.

I was able to find a temporary home for the CNC machine. A customer of mine has it, and is going to try to get it running.

In the mean time, I am thinking about purchasing a rapid prototype machine, that is capable of creating pieces up to 10" x 10" x 12" out of ABS plastic.

If and when I get it, I'm sure you guys will hear about it!