laser or water cutting?

[Invalid]

Hey guys looking for a place to laser cut or water cut a design into a side panel. I went to customwatercuts first but he said hes not really doing it any longer.

Anywhere else anyone knows of?

Thanks!

[mnpctech]

http://www.emachineshop.com/

[Dar Kuma]

i have their software,
allthough i dont order cause i found them a bit expensive
but there downloadable tool is pretty good and very easy to use

[mnpctech]

I also recommend paging through your local phone book for outfits, (every city has these) describe what you need done and ask what type of file they require. I did this 3 years ago and got quotes between $45 - $75 for a full tower steel panel.

[dutchcedar]

Definately find a local shop if you can. Were you to want something cut out of raw stock, I would offer different advice. But because you want your own material cut, they will likely want to see it first hand.

You'll probably need your design in .dwg or .dxf format.

If you can't find someone local, shoot me a PM.

[Invalid]

Thanks guys. Looking into local via switchboard and yellowpages. Laser cutting actually pulls up one match. A half mile down the road! Can you believe that? If it pans out thats some awesome luck.

I'm gonna call tomorrow and see what they offer. Not even sure if they do small projects like mine, or just large quanitity jobs for the automakers.

Thanks again for the advice/info.

[Invalid]

Oops, one more question. Dutch, what program do I need for .dwg or .dxf?

[Invalid]

Here is my very crude throw up of what the side will be.

The background will be mesh lighted from behind. This will be the opposite side of the case as the window.

http://www.aeonx.net/side.jpg

[furious trout]

Oops, one more question. Dutch, what program do I need for .dwg or .dxf?

It seems you need autocad :wiz: (http://www.filext.com/detaillist.php?extdetail=.dwg+&Search=Search)

[scopEDog]

Invalid..i've been meaning to give these guys (http://www.lasercuttingservice.net/index.htm) a call, maybe try them? Also your friendly neighborhood sketchup program can make dxf/dwg, if you need help lemme know :thumb:

[dutchcedar]

.dwg and .dxf are both AutoCAD file types. That's the program most cutters like to read. Personally, I draw schtuff in CorelDraw and export it as a .dxf file.

[Invalid]

Ok I called my local company today and the guy says they can do it. Over the phone he gave me a rough cost at 100. This is 50 program fee and then time, etc.

Is that too much? Anyone had something similar done for less?

Thanks again for the help guys.

One last thing, does anyone know how to make the cad file that they would need? I have no idea how to use (Or have for that matter) the software needed to do this. If not, I understand. But depending on how long it took I could toss some cash via paypal your way for your time.

Thanks for considering it.

[dutchcedar]

The 50 bucks for a programming fee sounds stiff to me. But, since it was over the phone, he may be just playing it safe. Maybe he's included converting your design into CAD?

[Invalid]

No, he had mentioned needing the CAD file beforehand. But when he mentioned the program fee I was confused. I used to work in a factory when I was younger and know that for the machine they just get the file inside and then program the machine a bit. If thats what the 50 is for, its a rip. However, I am a bit desperate and they are sooo close to me it may be worth it.

[scopEDog]

Yeah its a bit high but like dutch said since it was over the phone..

What format do you have that design in?

[Invalid]

I only have it in PSD. Photoshop file.

[mnpctech]

Personally, I draw schtuff in CorelDraw and export it as a .dxf file.

Thats what Mrs Mnpctech is doing for Papa these days :D

Invalid, I was getting $40 - $50 quotes for redrawing files into CAD here as well.

[dutchcedar]

^^^ Mrs. Mnpctech sounds like a smart cookie... :D

[Da_Rude_Baboon]

espiecally if she is charging mr Mnpctech $40 a drawing. :-p

[zittware]

I recommend a freeware cad program like qcad... that can do DXF.
It's what I use for my Laser cutting and the new cnc mill.

I use "Vextractor" demo to cover raster files (bmp, gif, etc) to vector art (dxf)... then use qcad to resize and clean up the vector art.

[Starbuck3733T]

Oooh, good tip!

[zittware]

Found this site:
http://horsetoothcnc.com

might shoot them a note to see if it's anything they can or will do.

[Starbuck3733T]

I saw that too when I ordered some stuff from Sparkfun last week.