Shop Development
 

Hey guys, our team just "unearthed" $10,000 of money that we were supposed to get incrementally for three years now, and so we've been trying to figure out what to use the money for. We are thinking, tools (all we have is a desktop drill press and circular saw) particularly a lathe/CNC. Which one would you recommend and from where?

What do you guys think is the best thing to buy with these funds?

Thanks!

Re: Shop Development
 

Lucky you!

Re: Shop Development
 

Another rookie team asked a similar question and got some pretty good responses.

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...hreadid=136600

As far as the first part of your question, are you asking about brands and sources of CNC mills and lathes and is that what your team is dead-set on getting? If not then not knowing where you are in terms of current tools and supplies take a look at the thread and see if it helps some before you make a final decision.

Re: Shop Development
 

There are a couple threads about recommended tools. Look there for some more info. My recommendation is a bandsaw, either vertical or drop. After that many people recommend a lathe, then a mill. 3D printers are nice for small custom non-load bearing parts, and prototypes.

Re: Shop Development
 

I would highly recommend a CNC router table, they are a phenomenal prototyping tool for plywood and sheet aluminum as well as slow machining of stock aluminum if you get the right one.

Re: Shop Development
 

What machine would you recommend for this?

Re: Shop Development
 

http://www.veloxcnc.com/ Has good products and are just about the only manufacturer I have seen advertise their machine being able to machine bulk aluminum. There are many companies and kits out there to look at.

Re: Shop Development
 

ShopBot can cut aluminum. Don't know if they advertise the fact, but tech support will tell you as much. Our students have been programming most of our robot parts on one for the last three years or so. They have a variety of sizes/capabilities.

Re: Shop Development
 

Diversion 165 TIG welder can do a lot for you, if you have someone who knows how to use one, and somewhere to plug it in.

Re: Shop Development
 

You can get a lot out of $10,000. A bandsaw would be my first choice, followed by hand drills if you don't have them. Vertical bandsaws are the way to go IMO, as they are very versatile.
Drill doctors or new drill bits if your bits are old.
Make sure you have the power requirements for any CNC or big machine. A manual mill can get you far too. You can push a 1HP or 1.5HP machine on a 110v outlet if the motor is built for that. However, I have a 2HP mill in my garage that trips the 15 amp breaker when I try to turn it on at 2200rpm.
Depending on your location, you can pick up a used Bridgeport manual mill for between $500-2000. Equip it with a DRO and a toolbox of tools and you get an extremely useful tool.
On tooling for any machine, you have to plan out what to get before you buy the machine. Tooling costs can easily exceed that of the machine, especially if it's used. Good calipers, 45*/30* triangles, end mills, a vise, etc. can run well above $1000.
If you find yourself in need of aluminum stock every year pick up some of that too.

Re: Shop Development
 

So first you might not want to jump straight to a CNC considering that the are Expensive to get a full sized one, i would start out with manual BridgePort Mill and a SouthBend Lathe of some kind, Your students will learn a lot more from these machines then CNC, they will also get the skills necessary to accomplish many different tasks as well as knowledge on how to problem solve, with manual machines one has to think the whole process first before the actually start and that is what helps them in the long run, after those two i would suggest a 3D Printer, Disk sander (bench top), Metal bandsaw, Metal chop saw,
Calipers, Beverly shear and Beverly holepunch

Re: Shop Development
 

This is no joke. I spent my morning today assessing the condition of machine shop. Among the equipment was a Mazatrol turning center. This machine had listed a current draw of 35 amps on a 480v 3 phase circuit. Make sure you know your power requirements and other services and compare them to what you have in your shop.

Re: Shop Development
 

How much money do you have to support the team over the next five years?

Do you need to spend the $10,000 immediately?

What are your expenses? What is your projected sponsorship? How many sponsors do you have?

Re: Shop Development
 

Also do not forget compressed air. Many CNCs need compressed air. Some even require an air dryer.

Re: Shop Development
 

This one actually required an offboard hydraulic pump as well.