Modern machining/fabrication tech is pretty amazing...

[ka0tyk]

Granted it probably only took a million dollars of equipment to even get started... and a LOT of old school experience. Its pretty crazy how it all comes together to make a cool piece.

 

[4Waters]

You would think they could make a stamping die as good if not better then the factory one was and stamp brand new ones.

 

[sintax]

You would think they could make a stamping die as good if not better then the factory one was and stamp brand new ones.

thats 100% how i'd attempt this.

3d print some dies and see how it works. I've seen then do some pretty cool shit with the 3d printed dies

 

[bonesfab]

Just the chunk of billet to start with, Wow.

 

[Racey]

thats 100% how i'd attempt this.

3d print some dies and see how it works. I've seen then do some pretty cool shit with the 3d printed dies

I don't think a 3d printed die set could withstand the pressures required to stamp a part with that many features, not to mention it will never be able to have as sharp or defined edges, or the exact precision due to shrinkage and spring back etc etc.

Wayyyy faster to machine that billet one than to print one and set up a press. Those machines will eat through aluminum like you wouldn't believe. Even the kellering isn't that bad because of how quick your feed rates can be when you are running at 12k RPM spindle speed. Just boring to watch after a while, let it run over night

 

[sintax]

I don't think a 3d printed die set could withstand the pressures required to stamp a part with that many features, not to mention it will never be able to have as sharp or defined edges, or the exact precision due to shrinkage and spring back etc etc.

Wayyyy faster to machine that billet one than to print one and set up a press. Those machines will eat through aluminum like you wouldn't believe. Even the kellering isn't that bad because of how quick your feed rates can be when you are running at 12k RPM spindle speed. Just boring to watch after a while, let it run over night

im sure you're onto something there. Most of the die stamping i've seen has been larger stuff, w/o any real details now that i think about it. Makes sense!

 

[Kbach]

Damn. As somebody who does CNC mill/lathe stuff at work…wow. That’s impressive.

 

[traquer]

That's badass!! Full billet grille, I've seen it all now! I think the hardest part is measuring the original part and getting all the curves and angles correct, am I right?

From what I've seen, if you have the right equipment something like this isn't too difficult to program or machine, especially if it's aluminum and you don't need to be anywhere near aerospace tolerances.

 

[Kbach]

That's badass!! Full billet grille, I've seen it all now! I think the hardest part is measuring the original part and getting all the curves and angles correct, am I right?

From what I've seen, if you have the right equipment something like this isn't too difficult to program or machine, especially if it's aluminum and you don't need to be anywhere near aerospace tolerances.

With the right tools measuring/scanning the part is the easiest. Taking that data and turning it into a usable file takes tons of time and effort. Then machining the first part isn’t as easy as just loading material and hitting cycle start. Speeds, feeds, tooling choice and everything else comes into play in creating a perfect piece. I’d be VERY surprised if they didn’t scrap a few giant chunks of material before they got the final parts.

 

[FreeBird236]

It's either scratched or dirty @ 11:29.

 

[Flying_Lavey]

Just do like SpaceX does and 3D print your piece out of steel, aluminum, or other crazy materials.

 

[warpt71]

amazing times we live in! Im kinda surprised that it was 3 pieces, you would never know after looking at the finished product. I also wonder if this is going to be the next trend? Design changes from here could be endless

 

[warpt71]

Something else I recently saw that I thought was pretty cool for squarebody grills

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