Background
I was commissioned to design and make a business cardholder to serve as a training part for the machine shop at my school. Requirements:
Cost
As low cost as possible.
Appearance
Aesthetically presentable.
Function
Functional as a cardholder.
Design
I modelled the part in Fusion 360. The design includes custom name engraving for whoever machines it, and chamfered edges so cards insert easily.
Stock Selection and Cost
I ran a cost and stock selection study to determine which stock met the cost requirement with the least machining time and the least wasted material. The selected stock was 6061 aluminum, sourced from a local vendor. I contacted the vendor and placed the order.
Machining
I generated the Fusion CAM toolpaths, including the engraving pass, and machined the part on a 3-axis Haas mill.
Result
A cardholder at under $7 per part, adopted as a standard training part for new CNC operators. The part covers the fundamentals a new operator needs:
Per part.
- Face milling
- Side milling
- Engraving
- Part touch-off
