3D milled autobrake buttons

[Wendy]

I finally was able to do 3D milling after a long struggle and today I can show you my autobrake buttons milled with my CNC. It's a wonderfull feeling that I can now touch these buttons in real.

These are made in prototyping material, so next step is to make some molds of it and duplicate them in transparent material.

The first picture is showing the milled buttons presented on the autobrake panel and the second one is a photo rendering of my drawings.


Regards, Wendy




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[ETomlin]

Wendy,

That looks great. I would love to know more about the process of this via CNC (as I am using one to make LJ45 parts) and it's the tiny knurling lines on knobs that I havent quite figured out yet. Very nice looking!

[Wendy]

Eric,

Not sure what you mean, but the rounded corners are called fillets.


Regards, Wendy

[ETomlin]

Hi Wendy, yes those are the fillets but Im talking about knurling. The super tiny lines that are sometimes straight and some times diamond-shaped that give you a grip on the knob, or on the end of a tool ( a ratchet for example). Like this (but straight): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knurling

[Wendy]

I did this in 2D by drawing diagonal lines and milled over them with a V-cutter. But in 3D never tried this.


Regards, Wendy

[jackpilot]

Hey Wendy!
What's up besides the knobs?
How R U.
Jack

[Wendy]

hey Jack,

I'm fine thank you. Yes it's been a long time that I've posted here, but still followed all the threads.

Currently making all my MIP panels, CNC cut and now laser engraved. Monitor bezels... hope to get it working some day.


Regards, Wendy

[Perik]

....and it's the tiny knurling lines on knobs that I havent quite figured out yet.

Eric

You'll need the 4th axis on your CNC - an index wheel.
And with a small G-code you can make the knurling pattern quite easy.

A question for Wendy: What material did you end up with for your prototype?

[Wendy]

Hey Perik,

I received the material from a person who does restoration things. It's a composite material. More info can be found here, it is however in French.

http://www.kuvotec.com/0453a69a260b6a802/0453a69a260bb7c0a/0453a69a950869514/index.html

Regards, Wendy

[matta757]

....and it's the tiny knurling lines on knobs that I havent quite figured out yet.

Eric

You'll need the 4th axis on your CNC - an index wheel.
And with a small G-code you can make the knurling pattern quite easy.

A question for Wendy: What material did you end up with for your prototype?

Hey Perik,

Any idea where I could find one of those BARO knobs or something similar? I have been having no luck!

Thanks,
Matt

[Perik]

Hello Matt.

I believe I've seen these knobs from time to time at Ebay though as a part of
complete instruments.
For me it's never been an issue. Never looked around for knobs or any parts other
than images & documents for sizing information. Then make some drawings
followed by a workout on the CNC-unit.

I can't praise the CNC enough and I believe
I have all CNC owners with me in that statement.

It's more or less no limit for what you can achieve!!
Just look at the knobs from Wendy - really proferssional!!

If I had time I could make a few samples for you. Let's see when I'm ready
to do the Copilot Altimeter.

Sorry Wendy for hijacking your thread.

Happy milling.

[Wendy]

Absolutely, a CNC is an amazing part of equipment.


Regards, Wendy

[NAX228]

I recently recived a 737 bezel from Wendy and I'm absolutely stunned over the quality.
It turned out to be to big for my CDU bay, but Wendys making another one from my measurements.
THATS service!!

The fist one I keep and will use it as a pictureframe

[Joe Lavery]

Eric, to prodce those knurled lines on a knob you need a lathe, I've done a little of it using a device with twin knurled wheels designed for the purpose. Never tried it on somethong as small as a knob though. 

Joe.

[ETomlin]

Hey Joe

Thanks. The knobs Im talking about have a requirement for straight knurling, exactly like the top adjustment knob in your photo.