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Author
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Topic: Hi, noob questions please answer
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Kard63
Senior Member Posts: 7
From:
Registered: Mar 2004
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posted March 20, 2004 12:58 PM
   
Hello, I was looking into making my own custom ATX cases. Thats a large computer case. Well none of the plastic companies around here were interested in doing anything besides injection molding with one exception and he wanted several hundred dollars each. You can get a brand new generic case for $30 so thats not going to work. I would guess $60 is what I could pay for the plastic portion of my case. I would scrap a cheap case for the metal insides and all I would have to do is make my 7 plastic pieces and affix them to the case. Well I have been researching plastics and polymers on the net and it seems quit intensive from the stand point of someone with no experience and knows no one in the industry. I think the only way I could do this without spending a fortune on injection molds would be compression molding right? Is there anyway to do this myself? I eagerly await any responses. IP: Logged |
Tom C
Moderator Posts: 310
From:Brodheadsville, PA USA
Registered: Jun 2001
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posted March 20, 2004 02:44 PM
I don't think there is a good answer for you here. Plastic generally does not fabricate in small quantities by hand, and cheaply, like metal and wood.There are some methods that involve thermosetting resins which can be hand layed up on forming molds. This method is generally used to make small quanitities or one off parts. There are other methods using heat, vacuum and a mold. I would conact some of the high end custom automotive interior fabricators in your area for help. Tom C
IP: Logged |
Kard63
Senior Member Posts: 7
From:
Registered: Mar 2004
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posted March 20, 2004 04:14 PM
Thanks for the response.Even if I can't make the mold isn't there a kind cheaper than the injection molds? Like this: http://www.culinart.net/silicone.html And I could melt the plastic in thiS: http://wenesco.com/dip.htm I'm not sure but it seems like I should be able to make 7 pieces of plastic, 5 of shich are flat on one side and slitly wavy on the other. I don't think it will be easy but people charge a fortune for custom work. And I guess paying a fortune for something you really want is good for some buyers, but I only want it to have a product to retail afterwords. I was afraid since there arent many posts here I wouldn't get a quick response, I reallyu appreaciate it. P.S. If compression molds are very basic I know a super visor at a machine shop who might be able to carve some up cheaply. I'm having a hard time meeting people that can DO anything. Sometimes I regret going to a university instead of a trade school. IP: Logged |
Kard63
Senior Member Posts: 7
From:
Registered: Mar 2004
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posted March 20, 2004 04:29 PM
Plastic was jsut a generic term I used. It can be any polymer I can airbrush that isn't increbly weak. It will be attached to metal so it doesn't have to be too thick or strong.IP: Logged |
Kard63
Senior Member Posts: 7
From:
Registered: Mar 2004
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posted March 21, 2004 01:30 PM
And I would be willing to buy a small amount of machinery.IP: Logged |
TomBlack
Moderator Posts: 39
From:
Registered: Jul 2002
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posted March 23, 2004 07:52 PM
why not start w/ a plastic sheet and try some thermoforming to get the shape you're interested in? Heat up the sheet and draw it over a wooden form. Should you need assistance getting the sheet to form, buy a heat gun used in the flooring industry to form vinyl tiles and give it a try. Once you've got something you want, talk to a molder and look into a MUD frame tool and an aluminum mold for a limited production run...------------------
Thomas Black
PPS, Inc. www.ppsincorp.com IP: Logged |
Kard63
Senior Member Posts: 7
From:
Registered: Mar 2004
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posted March 23, 2004 08:06 PM
Awesome! Thank you for those details. I might post an update in a week or two.IP: Logged |
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