I am not sure where exactly this would fit. Discussions have taken place randomly on this site, and I was just made aware of this service from a fellow big cat builder/sailor. In addition to building/selling his own ultralight full-size wooden catamarans, he has been an engineer at S2 Yachts, and now is off on this venture.
Not sure how serious you might be for a CNC produced plug, and am not sure how expensive his source is that actually does the work - but if you are serious about a design, may I recommend you contact John for futher information.
[i]Thought I’d let you know what my next adventure is.
I was recently asked to quote building a prototype model and molds for a fiberglass boat
manufacturer(Rinker). My research put me in touch with a company specializing in five-axis CNC machining. I was very impressed with their pricing, and that they deliver a quality product on time.
I have agreed to work with them and would like you to pass the word that a reasonable source is out there for this type of work. If you know of anyone that has a modelling project that needs quoting let me know.
Meanwhile think spring, unless you’re still
iceboating.
Thanks,
John Lindahl
Lindahl Composite Design
6002 Cedar Street
Fennville, MI 49408
269.561.4121
cell: 269.650.5900 jlindahl_lcd@yahoo.com[/i]
Yeah, a 5-axis would def. get the job done, but it could be done just as well with a 3-axis. I know I used to use a 3-axis back in school for machining buggy parts and that went through aluminum like butter so if you chocked a piece of foam up there, you could run it at max speed with the max amount of depth per pass allowed without loosing accuracy. I guess it would matter what type of end mill you had b/c that would have an effect on the outcome also. Just my $.02.
Andrew Miller
…and then there’s always stereo lithography[:-bigeyes][:-bigeyes2][:-bigeyes][:-bigeyes2]
although I think the size might be limited to less than 1 meter.
Another service I’ve been checking out for a small production run of steel parts is www.emachineshop.com . They offer a CAD program you can download. Then you draw up the part,select material & type of machining. After that, you can submit the part for a price quote & order fabrication if desired. I haven’t purchased any parts yet, but the software & tutorials are user friendly, and the user help response was quick
<font color=“green”>[If you are asking about]</font id=“green”> <s>For</s> Lindahl - email him for further information. Heard he was getting ready to work with a west side Michigan sailor on a one meter monohull, so possibly not that expensive given how fast the 1 Meter classes change in what is “hot”. (ie: expensive tooling in a development class sometimes is difficult to justify)
However, I am sure the costs are sufficient to give some thought as to how many hulls you think you can sell.
While 5 axis may be overkill, it’s nice to know a source where avialable if needed, and also that is is a boat builder behind the scenes. If anyone uses or get quotes please post to let the rest of us know the going rate… if you don’t mind sharing.
Just an update I received from John. Email him for more info. My guess is this is probably a US1M shape, but I could be wrong. Keep in mind he is a big-boat sailor (primarily) and is just getting his toes wet in the R/C world … be gentle ! [:D]
“Hi Dick,
Just finished up a hull for a one-meter in gel and 4 oz. cloth It looks real good and the mold owner doesn’t care if we build more hulls off his mold. Can do these for about $110.00. If anyone is interested let me know.”
See above for contact information for this source.
<font color=“green”>EDIT: ADDED </font id=“green”>-Hi Dick,
I have more info on the hull we are building. It fits both one-meter classes and is called a Ray Ozmun hull. Our first one in 4oz.cloth weighed 18 oz.