looking for a reliable CNC machining company

[Faroux]

I am looking for a reliable company who can do CNC machining of aluminium parts.
We have designed parts in CAD and now want to have them made.
The company in the UK we were recommended wasted 2 weeks of our time.
It took them 2 weeks to think that they didn't have the time to do the work for us.

Does anybody know a reliable company that can read CAD files (STP or Step format)?

[Mudgey]

Hi there,

I use an array of companies and get CNC parts made myself, if you want I can get some prices for you. I find that using more than one company means I can keep prices down and also if the lead times at one are too long I can use another. Also one company is great for low quantity whilst the other is very competitive on high quantity parts. These companies are within the UK and quite local to me. The more work I bring them the better rates I and anybody else gets who would otherwise be on a 'new customer' tariff. If your interested please PM me, more than happy to sign an NDA if required.

[spikeyhead]

i'm soon going to need some stuff made too, it'll only be low volume and I'd prefer it to be local to Stoke if anyone has any recommendations.

[Nickyboy]

http://www.srdengineering.co.uk/

They do a lot of stuff for F1

[firesafetydave]

Try R & G Precision engineering in Northants. They do a lot of work for Ilmor engineering who make the engines for McClaren

[mr.man]

What are the batch sizes. What is the complexity of the parts.
When would you realistically need them. Are they from castings
or from stock bar?

[Faroux]

The first parts I am after now are Front and Rear Uprights made from a solid block of aluminium.
These are especially designed to be used with 15” wheels.
I like to go for small batches of 2 sets per order (so from aluminium 4 uprights, 2 steering arms and 2 small brackets, from stainless steel 6 king pin studs and top hats).
I expect several orders per year.
I would like to have the first sets end of January /beginning of February.
But first need a price a.s.a.p. as I have several customers who need to make a decision about a possible order.
These need to be made Febuary/March.

[spikeyhead]

mr.man said:

What are the batch sizes. What is the complexity of the parts.
When would you realistically need them. Are they from castings
or from stock bar?

I'm after some very simple milling, from stock bar and the occaisional heatsink. Small batch sizes, no more than 10off at a time for the next year or so.

[Mudgey]

In all honesty, if you need one off type stuff then your best bet is too find a backyard CNC company with a few older machines, they're hourly rate would be much lower than a company with brand new million pound machines. Every now and again I send off quotes to various companies to check I am getting the best prices and with even getting a couple hundred off of a certain part the prices were 4x as much as I am currently paying!! Even if their website or presentation is crap don't write them off!

Edited by Mudgey on Saturday 8th December 16:58

[B17NNS]

These guys are good.

In Stone spikey.

www.mgsanders.co.uk

[spikeyhead]

B17NNS said:

These guys are good.

In Stone spikey.

www.mgsanders.co.uk

I'm sure they are, however I know I need a little place with a couple of old Bridgeports to get sensible pricing on a 10 off run of something that would take less than a minute each on a 5 axis machine.

[bigricho]

We may (or may no)t be able to do something for you.

PM me if you think we can help. We export globally, so if any of these components needed shipping to the Netherlands that would be done efficiently and economically.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VD4HzHQXrnc

www.diamond-engineering.co.uk

Rich

[Smiler.]

I've just had a heatsink made from 10mm thick copper bar.

The guys I used are a small outfit.

PM me if you want their details.

[jason62702]

www.illinimachine.com i have a machining center in my garage and have 22 years experience. pretty much work all hours!

[Mobsta]

Foundry Fabrication is a great company, some really nice people work there too
www.foundryfabrication.co.uk

[spikeyhead]

jason62702 said:

www.illinimachine.com i have a machining center in my garage and have 22 years experience. pretty much work all hours!

That's promising, just on the wrong continent.

[jason62702]

sorry didnt know you were on a different continent

[PugwasHDJ80]

Is the part vaguely cylindrical? or have cylindrical parts?

http://www.coldformedproducts.co.uk//

have some incredible technology and a very very efficient CNC shop

[Shield Eng]

Hi, We've just joined pistonheads & read your post. We are the reliable company your looking for. Please forward any designs your looking to have manufactured. Please visit our web site for further information. www.shield-eng.com

Faroux said:

I am looking for a reliable company who can do CNC machining of aluminium parts.
We have designed parts in CAD and now want to have them made.
The company in the UK we were recommended wasted 2 weeks of our time.
It took them 2 weeks to think that they didn't have the time to do the work for us.

Does anybody know a reliable company that can read CAD files (STP or Step format)?

[khushy]

We are just about to add another "made in Great Britain" product to run in parallel with our new business - www.kapz.co.uk - although its nothing to do with cycling (we will of course have a separate website/brand etc) - need 1000 units initially (2 part) c4" in diameter ASAP.

MUST SIGN A CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT PRIOR TO DETAILED DISCUSSIONS.

Any ideas/interest?

Khush
[e-mail]
07557 911911