Help cutting aluminum panel

mpm · 2007-12-07T02:50:45+00:00

Metalworking newbie here, but accomplished Electrical Engineer....What would I need if I wanted to punch holes (some small diameterround, and a square hole) with reasonably sharp, or tight radius edgesin 0.062 aluminum panel?The panels measure 2.07" x 8.58", and I'll probably do a whole bunchof them before it's all said and done. (several thousand over thecourse of 24-36 months)Option-1 is to just have them manufactured.But, the panels come with the enclosures, and I'd rather not wastethem, nor do I want to hassle with low-quantity production runs, as Imake continuous orders for enclosures (at 50 to 100 at a time..).Ideally, I'd like to pop the panels in a big 20-ton hydraulic press orsomething.Panels need to be reasonably flat when the operation is finished.Can it be done that way, or am I out of my mind??Is there an easier way?How much money for something like this?Holes will be: (QTY-2) 3/8", (QTY-4) 6-32 size, and QTY-1 square,about 1/2"Alignment not CRITICAL, but would prefer to punch all holes at once.Thanks!!-mpm

Dec 07, 2007 22 Replies

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Tom Gardner 18 years ago

Sorry, like I said, "new" to this group. But to address your concern: South Florida.

I just remembered my neighbor owns a large CNC shop. In the past, he's offered me $50/hr any machine (including his wire EDMs), plus any materials I might consume. Maybe that's the right way to go.??

Still, if I can just pop these in a press, we certainly have room in our workshop......

Why can't one say "big" and "20-ton" in the same sentence? Am I to take it that 20-ton is "lightweight"? Just wondering....

Thanks for all the replies. I am still sifting through them.

-mpm

20 ton is small for a press, real small...but, real handy if you can find one. My smallest is 30 ton. If you decide to farm it out, let me know. I'd be interested in doing it for you, we stamp all day and do all our own die work.

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Jim Stewart 18 years ago

That will work until he has to decide between running a $200/hr job for a non-friend and running yours, with both of you needing your stuff yesterday and him needing the money.

Be careful using the "friend" card. If you're going to get more than a few done, insist on a going-rate quote if you want to keep him as a friend.

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Jim Wilkins 18 years ago

If you'd like to try making a few to several hundred yourself first without a large unrecoverable investment, this Roper Whitney press is a reasonable piece of equipment for the square hole:

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the round ones could be done a few at a time on a drill press using a drill jig. Unlike CNC this approach works well with small precut panels.

Jim Wilkins

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