Could somebody tell me the costs of laser cutting? Does it go by time, or
linear feet? I have a friend whose company uses a laser cutting machine to
cut steel, he offered to cut out ribs and formers out of balsa and liteply
for me for a small fee. If I provide the dxf CAD file and the material, how
much do you think the actually cutting is worth? I'm wondering if his idea
of small fee and the going rate for laser cutting services are close.
Some years ago SIG quoted me $1/ft from dxf files plus material costs. In
addition, I would have had to organize all the parts on the stock size
sheets of material in my drawings. Shipping, etc, would be extra. Keep in
mind this was on the order of ten years ago. If you get a more recent quote
from someone I would sure like to hear about it.
Tom
> Could somebody tell me the costs of laser cutting? Does it go by time, or
> linear feet? I have a friend whose company uses a laser cutting machine to
> cut steel, he offered to cut out ribs and formers out of balsa and liteply
> for me for a small fee. If I provide the dxf CAD file and the material, how
> much do you think the actually cutting is worth? I'm wondering if his idea
> of small fee and the going rate for laser cutting services are close. >
>
> --
> Normen Strobel
> snipped-for-privacy@zoominternet.nospam.net
>
>
>
>
>
WOW! That is WAY HIGH! My Ballistick would cost around $75 plus materials
from them! I have received several quotes in the $18 range for this kit
including materials. Granted, it is a simple box fuselage with foam core.
Could somebody tell me the costs of laser cutting? Does it go by time, or
linear feet? I have a friend whose company uses a laser cutting machine to
cut steel, he offered to cut out ribs and formers out of balsa and liteply
for me for a small fee. If I provide the dxf CAD file and the material, how
much do you think the actually cutting is worth? I'm wondering if his idea
of small fee and the going rate for laser cutting services are close.
I guess a person would need to contact the company to find out.
I've never had any contact or dealings with them.
I just had the link bookmarked and posted it since they advertise model
plane kit cutting
Based on reading the page, they do not convert plans to CAD files.
They list all of the requirements for the files, and have an email address
of a person who does the CAD conversions.
Carrell
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Are these the prices INCLUDING the laser time? I can see several thousand
percent difference in laser time required per sheet.
I manufacture laser cut kits and also do some laser cutting on the side
during the slow times. Because of the complexity of some parts, I charge by
the hour. I charge about $25 - $30 an hour - depending on the amount of ply
used. Material would be extra. I can't see people charging by the wood size
because simple parts can take 1 minute or less to cut and complex parts with
a lot of curves and holes can take 10 minutes or more.
An example of cost - 1 sheet of 3/32" x 4" x 24" filled with 4 - 6 ribs and
part numbers (no lightening holes) usually runs about $1.00 and takes about
1-2 minutes to cut. That doesn't include the wood cost. The same size in
1/8" ply would take 4 to 6 minutes to cut.
I don't know what others that do laser cutting only charge but I factor
labor cost, laser cost and a small profit. I have never lost a job that I
quoted - so I must be on the low side of everyone else.
Mike
> Could somebody tell me the costs of laser cutting? Does it go by time, or
> linear feet? I have a friend whose company uses a laser cutting machine to
> cut steel, he offered to cut out ribs and formers out of balsa and liteply
> for me for a small fee. If I provide the dxf CAD file and the material, how
> much do you think the actually cutting is worth? I'm wondering if his idea
> of small fee and the going rate for laser cutting services are close. >
>
> --
> Normen Strobel
> snipped-for-privacy@zoominternet.nospam.net
>
>
>
>
>
Some places charge by the minute for laser time. About 75 cents to a
dollar per minute. That makes an average kit some where around $15 to
$25 dollars to cut . You didn't say if your dxf files are layed out.
I mean, did you lay them out for 4inch balsa (not more than 3 7/8) or
3inch (not more than 2 7/8 inches. Many lasers will cut only 30 inch
long pieces. These are thing you must take into consideration when
laying out dxf files. If the company you engage to cut your parts
must lay them out to actually cut on standard wood width etc, an
addition fee will be charged I am sure. There may be a minimum set up
fee also as it take time to load you dxf files into a computer and
correct them.
Good luck
Gene
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