CNC

[artdutra04]

Learn how to make proper engineering drawings for all the parts you need.

While most shops will take a model file and make the part, it will often cost them more money and time to do so. Creating drawings ahead of time can vastly cut down on their production time, even if you give them a PDF file of the drawing in addition to the part. Things like tolerances, critical dimensions, materials, surface finish, tapped holes, etc. are better expressed through an engineering drawing.

I would also suggest talking to the machine shop to make sure the parts you have in mind are actually machinable. Over the years, I've seen way too many people come up with models that would be practically (if not) impossible to machine (square inside corners, 1/8" radius fillet 3" deep into a part, etc).

[Team 135]

We have a plasma cutter in our shop and we make it in inventor, put it on a IDW, and then save as a DXF. Then all we have to do is import it directly.