advice on 3d printing and cnc milling

londonTiger

I have a small business that needs occasional mouldings and stuff made (small less than 4cm3)

unfortunately getting a 3d cad artist to take these jobs on is a nightmare. I just can't find people to do this sort of work. They're probably interested in larger projects for repeat business.

I also have a new business plan that sells these machines parts, I will be building my own ox openbuilds machine and milling parts to sell on ebay.

For that I will need to learn to CNC mill myself.

Im curious, where do I begin, what software should I learn which will have easily transfrable skill between both 3d printing and cnc milling (the modelling aspect of it).

Thanks.

Gloomendoom

What CAD software, if any, have you got now?


My wife uses Alphacam for cnc stuff.

daveyjp

Have a look at Fablab website and see if there is anything similar local to you.

Modern equipment and skilled people who can give advice.

http://manchesterfablab.manufacturinginstitute.co.uk

aliEnRIK

How complex are the 3d forms? I used to program 3d macro programs 'on the shop'

londonTiger

Gloomendoom wrote: »

What CAD software, if any, have you got now?


My wife uses Alphacam for cnc stuff.

do not have any cad software

londonTiger

aliEnRIK wrote: »

How complex are the 3d forms? I used to program 3d macro programs 'on the shop'

very very simple, but I need to drop off my equipment so would need a local cad artist in London

aliEnRIK

londonTiger wrote: »

very very simple, but I need to drop off my equipment so would need a local cad artist in London

If they're 'very simple', I would recommend finding a decent CNC programmer as opposed to a CAD engineer (Potentially cheaper, quicker and more experience with any issues)

forgotmyname

You need a local artist in London? Why not heard of the internet

You need to drop off equipment?

Selling CNC or 3 printers? Can you compete with the Chinese ready built units? My CTC 3D printer is brilliant.

Tons of free 3D software out there to try, you just need to find one that suits you. Starting out try FreeCad and use PART design, you create your object from simple shapes. Complex brackets can be made easily and quickly using that. And it does so much more.

Some of the software i use..

Blender
Mesh Mixer
FreeCad
123Design
MeshLab

To cleanup the 3D prints ans slice them..
Netfabb
Cura
Makerware
Simplify3D

I will be using the 3D printer to help create the parts to build a CNC machine when time allows. But i do have about 20,000 projects on the go at any one time.