How complicated is it to make this holder out of aluminum?
It doesnt look too difficult. But it looks like there are quite a few pieces so the cost would add up quickly.
I think it would need to be reworked a lot to make it cost effective.
Is there an engineering drawing available for the part or can one be created easily enough? Even an STL file for the part is valuable/useful in that respect. If a large quantity is desired, I have a friend who would be able to create them in his shop if I can get the info to him before the end of the year.
As designed, it would be difficult. If you redesigned it to be assembled from parts and it would be much easier.
I designed the piece without any CNC constructibility in mind. Hmm it does look like it need alot of rework… thx for input
Not difficult!! Plasma cut and alum MIG welded… 1/8 th
missing/deleted image from Google+
If you could find a way to make everything flatpack and have it waterjetted out of aluminum, it would be considerably cheaper than having it milled. Then you could drill and thread holes yourself and save yourself the extra cost.
I’ve got ideas but I also have my own stuff going on. I think the main backbone could be cut out of aluminum angle, for example.
Yes the main back bone connecting the hot end I think would need to be"unibody" everything else can be holed tapped and screwed together
Just print it out and cast it yourself, using the lost wax method. In this case lost plastic method. That is why I bought my printer.
But it depends on how many pieces of this you want?
Do you have an available stl for this assembly???
Yes over on my pinshape account
https://plus.google.com/+StephenCia/posts/bnWZdkQbrZZ
After viewing the 3D image presented on your pinshape account, I would suggest that machining the part from aluminum is nearly impossible. It would also be impossible to create the part by split-mold sand casting. That leaves lost-wax or lost-PLA casting as an option. If PLA printed parts are strong enough to work, even for a limited time, a cast aluminum part would hold up quite well.
It would be challenging to cast the part in such a way as to avoid air pockets and there would be substantial post-processing, but the concept is sound.