PCBWay does CNC and sheet metal, apparently together (sh.itjust.works)

submitted 3 months ago by smuuthbrane to c/machinist

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I thought this group might be able to appreciate this part. I ordered 5 from PCBWay. They are 1/4" mild steel. For just over $30USD each I got them in 16 days. But I have SO MANY questions about their process.

I wanted to share my incredulity with group that might also have their minds blown with this.

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[-] ironhydroxide 12 points 3 months ago

I'd guess they started with 8mm plate and faced it to get to your 1/4" spec and ensure they meet your specified tolerance.

Probably cheaper than finding accurate 1/4"plate in China.

[-] smuuthbrane 2 points 3 months ago

Probably, but why'd they do it with a tiny little end mill?? You'd think Blanchard grinding or at least using a fly cutter would be way faster/cheaper.

[-] ironhydroxide 1 points 3 months ago

No clue. Maybe they have a ton of one size endmill and that's all that's loaded.... Doesn't really make sense though, would be simple enough to swap the tools in setup.

Only thing that does make sense is they were doing another job with the same material and needed just that finish, or were out of slots in the changer, etc.

[-] [email protected] 8 points 3 months ago

Funny - my guess is they don't have easy access to 1/4" stock, so they just machined the thickness down from whatever metric stock is common in China.

[-] smuuthbrane 2 points 3 months ago

That's my assumption as well, but why they wouldn't say "hey could you use one of these standard thicknesses?" is beyond me.

[-] [email protected] 4 points 3 months ago

This is funny to think about.

Maybe there's somebody in China right now wondering why the customer would need something as weirdly specific as 6.35mm plate 🤣

[-] [email protected] 4 points 3 months ago

PCBway does machining? I thought they were just for circuit boards.

[-] smuuthbrane 3 points 3 months ago

Yeah, me too, but now they do CNC work and sheet metal as well. (In this case, both!)

[-] [email protected] 2 points 3 months ago

Isn’t this just a Cnc mill and then putting it in a press break after? What’s so special?

[-] smuuthbrane 2 points 3 months ago

They CNC milled the thickness, then laser cut it, them formed it. It's that first part that shouldn't have happened.

[-] [email protected] 1 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

I just assumed it was a CNC brushed finish, pretty standard finish for non painted parts when we order anything local.

Removes dings and picks and gives it a uniform look.

this post was submitted on 28 Mar 2024

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