Has anyone ever had something they've designed manafactured?

[Robin Hewitt]

Re redesigning the spring - I see your angle, but it needs to be robust & erhm springy-backy-ish (else the whole thing will not work properly soon after someone has bought one!)

I had to get a custom spring in tin plated steel so it was solderable. Had it made in the UK by Simpson Springs and Pressings. Quote was 12p at 2k pcs, 7.9p at 5k pcs. He used the wrong wire and the durned thing broke somewhere between 2 weeks and 5 years later. He held his hand up and made me another 5k pcs with the right wire ad gratis. The two big spring suppliers on line in the UK are Lee Spring and Flexo Springs, either will quote you if you design it.

[HankMcSpank]

NB70 & battwell thanks for the URLS ....I wasn't aware of mfg.com - looks promising (I've registered & will have a sniff about). I was aware of Alibaba, but it struck me as being a little like the wild west!

I once submitted am RFQ for some magnets to some far eastern part (IC) sourcing website - OMG ...about 50 emails, 95% wanted telegraphic transfer ....now that just strikes me as away of handing someone free money. So I guess trust is a big thing when dealing on such sites & it's heartening to see there's a rating system.

Robin, I will take a look at those 'leads' you've given me - many thanks. (how's the pick & place coming together?)

[Robin Hewitt]

(how's the pick & place coming together?)

Funny you should ask, I went up my workshop today and cut the first half dozen pieces

[Jonathan]

Funny you should ask, I went up my workshop today and cut the first half dozen pieces

I've got the same mug as you...filled with the same liquid too!

I didn't know that you're making a pick&place machine, have you documented it on the forum anywhere?

[Robin Hewitt]

I've got the same mug as you...filled with the same liquid too!

I didn't know that you're making a pick&place machine, have you documented it on the forum anywhere?

I'm hoping Lee will add a Pick and Place build section if I mention it enough. holding out for that :naughty:

[irving2008]

I'm hoping Lee will add a Pick and Place build section if I mention it enough. holding out for that :naughty:

here you go Robin, Other CNC Machines so get posting :)

[HankMcSpank]

Funny you should ask, I went up my workshop today and cut the first half dozen pieces

Got to say I'm in awe....as the constructer of a woefully inadequate homemade CNC that goes asthmatic when I ask it cut 5mm acrylic (slowly), I just shake my head in disbelief that folks mill such chunky lumps of ali in their home workshops!

To recap...

You've designed stuff, had it manafactured & raked in a lot of dosh from it.
You mill chunky lumps of metal effortlessly!
You have an industrial strength injection moudling machine "somewehere out the back"
You have a pick in place machine in the offing

I'm a teenage girl & you are my Robbie Williams!

PS can there be a better feeling than a good cup of 'rosie lee' in hand, & heading into a workshop to make 'proper stuff'?! (I say that as someone who works in a wishy, washy, namby pamby IT enviroment)