Custom Robotic Enclosures...
ScottishCaptain
Posts: 10
Greetings to all.
I was wondering if any of you would know...
Where can I get custom aluminum parts made for a custom robot chassis?
I'm designing the parts in Autodesk Inventor, mostly out of aluminum folded sheets (1.5mm thick, or around that). Presumably they would need to be laser cut and folded, as well as the bolts being attached or wielded to the aluminum parts so they can be attached together and the mechanics/electronics mounted.
I'm also hoping to get them annodized black.
I'm aware that this can cost $$$, but I'm willing to spend it to get a customized aluminum body for my 'bot. Unfortunately I can't find an enclosed chassis pre-made that's large enough for the funky parts I want to stick in the bot, as well as looking as good as I want it to.
-S'Captain
I was wondering if any of you would know...
Where can I get custom aluminum parts made for a custom robot chassis?
I'm designing the parts in Autodesk Inventor, mostly out of aluminum folded sheets (1.5mm thick, or around that). Presumably they would need to be laser cut and folded, as well as the bolts being attached or wielded to the aluminum parts so they can be attached together and the mechanics/electronics mounted.
I'm also hoping to get them annodized black.
I'm aware that this can cost $$$, but I'm willing to spend it to get a customized aluminum body for my 'bot. Unfortunately I can't find an enclosed chassis pre-made that's large enough for the funky parts I want to stick in the bot, as well as looking as good as I want it to.
-S'Captain
Comments
One supplier that is frequently mentioned here is http://www.emachineshop.com/
Also, if you grab a recent copy of Nuts and Volts or Servo Magazine you'll see a few other prototype metal suppliers, who will bend, punch, and machine your parts as you draw them (usually with their CAD programs).
The only drawback is that you better get it right the first time, just like a PCB. I don't recommend acquiring too many machine tools. There's no end to such a beginning.
Ken Gracey
Parallax, Inc.