Laser fabrication

[protoserge]

Originally Posted by teamfreedom

Hello guys, My name is Osiris Villacampa former main mentor of team DRIFT 4091 and now main mentor of a new rookie team "Team Freedom".
I need some help, We want to fabricate some parts like chassis transmissions etc but don't know where to send it or prices. I am thinking about laser cutting but am open to your recomendation of places and fabrication type.
Thanks alot guys hope to see you in Orlando.
also please visit our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/teamfreedomdr

You can start by looking at what's available in your area. There has to be some machining capability in the DR. I'd start by looking in the phone book for machine shops or small engineering firms. If you don't find a shop, maybe one of the engineering firms can point you in the right direction.

If not, do you have to worry about import duties/tax? In the US, a lot of the FRC teams are sponsored by small machine shops. They may be able to ship via UPS or FedEx. You could also look for shops in Haiti or Puerto Rico.

[Dale]

Even with the hassles of getting what you need shipped from the US it sure seems ambitious for a rookie team to manufacture their own transmissions. AndyMark or VexPro would seem like a better place to go for basic drive systems. Save your energy for things where you'll get a competitive advantage like game object manipulation.

Big industrial lasers can cut plates for transmissions but many teams use waterjets or CNC plasma cutters.

[Akash Rastogi]

I will echo the recommendation for using off the shelf items in your early years. However, if you need some help finding manufacturing resources near you, just let me know what high school you are working with and I can help you find and contact potential machining sponsors.

[teamfreedom]

Thanks guys, in our country fabricating is expensive, I want to fabricate in USA. The team is a rookie team but for many of the members this is 3rd year participating in First.

[teamfreedom]

Guys no one will help me finding laser cutting or water jet cutting places?

[protoserge]

We get our parts locally done at Triton Metals. They are awesome. Most sheet parts are cut on the laser, plate parts are done on the waterjet.

http://www.tritonmetals.com/