Ryan, others, remember Emachine Shop?

[tinyelvis]

Interesting article, check it out! I still want to try this, I just need to find something I need machined!

http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/internet/08/26/online.manufacturing.ap/index.html

[Deuce Rails]

That software froze on an NT machine I have for CAD work.

Has anyone had similar experiences?
Has anyone ordered anything?

[Rocket Scientist Chris]

I've been playing with the software off and on since it was mentioned here. It's really easy to use. Though, I'm always amazed at how much my part could cost! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif
But, it is a great way of getting a badly needed special part. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[1096]

I just read that also. I wonder if they could copy old speed equipment?

[Rocket Scientist Chris]

[ QUOTE ]
I wonder if they could copy old speed equipment?

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't think they have digitizing/scanning capability. You'd probably have to have someone else create the CAD file, then send it to them for production. If it's a casting you're copying, a rapid prototyping outfit could produce the part for the future mold.
Just some thoughts! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

[Stevie G]

If you can make it into a CAD file, they seem to be able to reproduce it.
The thing that's kicking my but is the material/machine choice. But, I'll get that figured out.

[Deuce Rails]

So no one's used eMachineShop?

[Deuce Rails]

No one?

[Slag Kustom]

i have kept the site since it was first mentioned but most parts that i cant make I take them to a local machine shop. I would like to know also if any one else has used them.

[Ryan]

I love the idea...

I made a real simple bracket for my emergency brake cable in my '38 with their software and placed an order. The part (which would have taken me an hour to make out in the shop) cost me $40 and took two weeks to get to me. This was like a year and a half ago...

I'm hoping they have streamlined their processes a bit. This is one of those services that would be invaluable for a hack like me... I can dream up a killer fuel block and although I might not be able to fab it myself, I can draw the shit out of it on a computer... Pretty cool.

I'd like to see someone design their own flathead heads and see what happens using these guys...

[blue collar guy]

Interesting article, check it out! I still want to try this, I just need to find something I need machined!

http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/internet/08/26/online.manufacturing.ap/index.html
I think the link shood be www.cnc.com/2004/TECH/internet/08/26/.manufacturing.ap/index.htm. cnc not cnn right. I don't know i can't get to work eather way.

[1LOWCHIEF]

I think the link shood be www.cnc.com/2004/TECH/internet/08/26/.manufacturing.ap/index.htm. cnc not cnn right. I don't know i can't get to work eather way.


That cnn.com link was from Aug 2004... thats why it isnt working anymore.

Could someone (re)post the link the the site that offers this? I remember messing around with the software when it was first mentioned here, but that was several hardrive reformats ago, and lost that bookmark.

[Bugman]

I'd like to see someone design their own flathead heads and see what happens using these guys...
I'm working on it. Probably take me awhile though because it's a backburner project at the moment...

[97]

That cnn.com link was from Aug 2004... thats why it isnt working anymore.

Could someone (re)post the link the the site that offers this? I remember messing around with the software when it was first mentioned here, but that was several hardrive reformats ago, and lost that bookmark.

http://www.emachineshop.com/

[Broman]

Anyone got a sketch they would like put into AutoCAD format?

I can pop out drawings pretty quickly. I have a 2 year degree in CAD. And it is what I do for a living, so......

I am offering (for a short time only) my services here. Give me the dimentions and a rough sketch - any kind of image will do as long as I can read them. Hell I'll even do it in 3D and post an image here for everyone to see. Then I'll send you a .dxf and a .dwg file of your part - let me stress the word PART. I'm not going to build a chassis for you, unless some kind of an offer is extended. Maybe if you feel moved to do so, you could float Ryan a couple bucks, no obligations though - this is a free offer....

[Deuce Rails]

Thank you for the open offer, Broman.

One of the problems I see with emachinechop.com is that you need to use their software. You can't simply upload a .dxf or a .dwg file, even if everything is properly defined. That severly limits the usability of emachineshop.

Thanks also, Ryan, for posting your experience. Does anyone else have first-hand experience?

[ntxcustoms]

I think I'll bite, at least to see how much the part quote is. I have full size plans for the Kent White e-wheel machine. The yoke assembly must be machined and the wheels have to be cnc'd. I already took the drawings to a local machine shop and they told me that it would cost a lot to have them cut the parts out on the mill by hand. I don't know where to go from here as I don't have their software or have any cad experiance.

[JohnnyFast]

Thank you for the open offer, Broman.

One of the problems I see with emachinechop.com is that you need to use their software. You can't simply upload a .dxf or a .dwg file, even if everything is properly defined. That severly limits the usability of emachineshop.

Thanks also, Ryan, for posting your experience. Does anyone else have first-hand experience?

I sent EMachine an Autocad "dwg" file and a "dxf" file of a simple part I wanted a waterjet quote for. I got the same answer....I have to use their program. What a way to run a business. :(

I took it to my local waterjet guy and got the part right away and no doubt saved some money at the same time.

[ntxcustoms]

What's the main differance in their programing and say cad?

[Deuce Rails]

I sent EMachine an Autocad "dwg" file and a "dxf" file of a simple part I wanted a waterjet quote for. I got the same answer....I have to use their program. What a way to run a business. :(

I took it to my local waterjet guy and got the part right away and no doubt saved some money at the same time.

You probably saved a lot of time, too.

ntxcustoms, download their software and see for yourself. It's free.

I use (not very well) SolidWorks. Their stuff is more like EasyCAD. And, as I said earlier, their software froze on an NT machine I have dedicated for CAD work.

I'd like to see the e-wheel plans. Most of mine could be built with rectangular stock and stuff from Home Depot or McMaster.com.

The top wheel is probably big, but most small lathes could match whatever radius lower wheels you would ever want. Plus, you could cut them from proper water- or oil-quenching tool steel, and give them the right hardness and temper.

[Deuce Rails]

I'd like to see the e-wheel plans. Most of mine could be built with rectangular stock and stuff from Home Depot or McMaster.com.

My English wheel, that is. I don't have my own plans!

[ntxcustoms]

Yuppers, I already built an e-wheel, but I was just offern' to put a part up to being made by. I do want to build this wheel, you can see some pics on it on Kent White's site TM Technologies. I have a good friend that works at True Cut EDM in Dallas that helps in making parts, it's just that this wheel has more parts than normal.


You probably saved a lot of time, too.

ntxcustoms, download their software and see for yourself. It's free.

I use (not very well) SolidWorks. Their stuff is more like EasyCAD. And, as I said earlier, their software froze on an NT machine I have dedicated for CAD work.

I'd like to see the e-wheel plans. Most of mine could be built with rectangular stock and stuff from Home Depot or McMaster.com.

The top wheel is probably big, but most small lathes could match whatever radius lower wheels you would ever want. Plus, you could cut them from proper water- or oil-quenching tool steel, and give them the right hardness and temper.

[Broman]

Wow, I'm kinda shocked. Not even a nibble....

I was offering my services "instead" of emachine, so you could get stuff done locally. Guess I should have laid it out for ya. I just figured you'd pick up on it.

I am surpized that noone wants anything - even if it's not really going to be made. Oh well, offer stands. Send me (or post it here) all the sketch info and it's a done deal.....I'm fishing for a good challenge. Never been stumped before (at least not in drafting).

[Deuce Rails]

Wow, I'm kinda shocked. Not even a nibble....

Me too. It's a damn good offer...

[ntxcustoms]

Broman, I'll take your offer! The problem I have is that the plans are blueprinted on a larger size. There is a few parts that have to be made and I will be willing to pay if it seems to be a bigger task than whats offered. If I understand correctly you are willing to take the pics and format them onto disk? Will this be all the info the machinist will need to cut? My bud said he'll cut for free once I have a cut plan. Sorry if I don't know much about automated cutting, I need to learn more. Also I'm not sure if how to get the print posted (since it's larger than my scanner) or if it's even legal (since I had to pay for the prints).

[fatassbuick]

Wow, I'm kinda shocked. Not even a nibble....

I was offering my services "instead" of emachine, so you could get stuff done locally. Guess I should have laid it out for ya. I just figured you'd pick up on it.

I am surpized that noone wants anything - even if it's not really going to be made. Oh well, offer stands. Send me (or post it here) all the sketch info and it's a done deal.....I'm fishing for a good challenge. Never been stumped before (at least not in drafting).
I got a tough one for ya...I screwed around on MasterCam and tried to make a 1/24 scale '32 roadster that could be machined and still look decent. All of the compound angles and body contours really made it difficult...it's possible, but you'll either have to know some good tricks or take a shitload of time.

Just something to dork around with while you're waiting for someone to take you up on that killer offer.

[fatassbuick]

Broman, I'll take your offer! The problem I have is that the plans are blueprinted on a larger size. There is a few parts that have to be made and I will be willing to pay if it seems to be a bigger task than whats offered. If I understand correctly you are willing to take the pics and format them onto disk? Will this be all the info the machinist will need to cut? My bud said he'll cut for free once I have a cut plan. Sorry if I don't know much about automated cutting, I need to learn more. Also I'm not sure if how to get the print posted (since it's larger than my scanner) or if it's even legal (since I had to pay for the prints).
I think you're looking for a toolpath, not a drawing.

[1LOWCHIEF]

http://www.emachineshop.com/

Thanks for the link... hopefully I wont "lose" this one.

[Broman]

ntxcustoms,
If you can send me an image (e-mail it or post it here), whaterver it takes, as long as I can read the dimentions I can draw anything - ANYTHING!!!

And BTW, I don't need to make the toolpaths, the guy running the CNC should be able to make toolpaths from a .dwg or .dxf file using bobCAD or something like it.

I might be able to get them done - my brother runs a CNC, he could help me out on it if it's a must have situation.

Just gimme the sketch.

[autocol]

I can draw anything - ANYTHING!!!

betcha can't draw a klein bottle! :D

i'm afraid this emachineshop doesn't sound like a good option for creating custom parts. the concept is fantastic, the execution, not so... i think they're forcing you to use their software, because it generates the quote too. however, i work in NC machining and i know how complex quoting REALLY is. any piece of software that tries to automate the process is going to be wrong a fair percentage of the time. that means that they have to have "padding" built in to prevent them losing money on a job, and THAT means that the parts will be overly expensive...

almost all machining jobs are complex enough that human interaction is a necessity. i certainly think a set of flat-heads is beyond the scope of this concept ryan, and if you did get it done you'd get disappointing results at rip-off prices...

[Broman]

klein bottle, coming right up......

[autocol]

fuck dude! i'm pretty impressed!

i'm a CAD junkie from way back, and when i hear people saying they're great at CAD, i usually yawn. i honestly didn't think you'd manage that one, and i'm summarily gobsmacked.

but really, you need to get yourself a parametric modeler. if you're that good with AutoCAD, you'll be awesome with something GOOD! :D

[Broman]

You know, I keep hearing that kind of stuff.

AutoCAD gets a lot of bad mouthing and I think it's undue. It is making an impact on how AutoCAD programmers are re-directioning thier new updates. I see a lot of the interface going towards the "model on the fly" kind of interface and away from the command line.

Maybe it's because I don't know any better, I have never used anything but AutoCAD. I have a copy of Solidworks here, but I have never installed it - it's almost a shame isn't it? But I have never been stumped yet, so I follow the old "if it ain't broke...." attitude.

Thanks for tipping your hat Autcol. I can appreciate that. Maybe I WILL have to open up that Solidworks package and take it for a spin.....

[chickenridgerods]

And BTW, I don't need to make the toolpaths, the guy running the CNC should be able to make toolpaths from a .dwg or .dxf file using bobCAD or something like it.

In most cases, the shop that'll be doing the machining won't want you to specific tool paths. They'll just want a dimensioned drawing or DWF/DXF file so they can tailor the tool paths to meet their requirements and machinery. This is the case on the parts I have sent out for prototyping at work.

I've not purchased anything from eMachineShop, but have tried fiddling around with their software. It's not all that great for making anything complex and doesn't do 3D. So, if you've just got a simple bracket it may be perfectly fine option. Anything else, you're probably better off taking up Broman on his offer and farming the work out to any one of the thousands of machine shops that can be found on the internet or locally.