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Rank: Forums Administrator
Joined: 9/12/2007
Posts: 2,588
Location: Redmond, WA
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CNC = Computer Numerically Controlled.
CNC is the term used to describe computerized milling. Milling is the term used to describe the use of cutters (fancy drill bits) to carve blocks of materials.
My molds are made using CNC machines - large, expensive, state-of-the-art milling machines capable of cutting hardended steel with the precision I demand for my Lego-compatible guns and accessories.
I can't afford one of these machines, so I hire someone to cut my molds for me. It takes a long while, but the results are worth it!
Now, although I can't afford the big machines, I can afford a hobby-sized machine capable of milling small blocks of aluminum. These are perfect for prototyping. So, guess what? I bought one! Now, I can make small runs of prototype BrickArms items. Soon, I'll post some photos of the M1 Garand and the prototype mold that created it, so you can get a better picture of what I'm writing about.
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Rank: Member
Joined: 9/16/2007
Posts: 7
Location: Oregon
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So are you saying that you could make Brickarms guns out of steel?
LEGO is awesome!
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Rank: Member
Joined: 9/15/2007
Posts: 12
Location: THE SKY!!!!!!!!!!!
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Woa!!
[JT-77, Please remember the 20 character posting rule. Thanks --Will]
W00t I'm not newbie rank anymore!!!!!!!!!!
PM me to join clone squad!!!!
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Rank: Forums Administrator
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Puzidman wrote:So are you saying that you could make Brickarms guns out of steel? Yes, I could, if I milled the guns out of steel. However, I do the opposite. I mill a reverse of the guns, out of aluminum. That means, I cut a cavity that looks like half of the gun was pressed into the aluminum and removed. Then, I cut channels in the aluminum mold to feed hot plastic ABS into the cavities. After I cut both mold halves (mirror opposites), I can put them together and clamp them in my injection molder, heat up some ABS, and see if I cut them right!
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 9/15/2007
Posts: 24
Location: Cohasset, Massachusetts
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I've seen these machines in action before, and they are incredible, to see the cutting bit flying around slicing the design into the aluminum like its butter is pretty crazy. The one I worked with was huge though, at least 15 x 15 ft. Is yours this big?
Lego people are yellow! They have always have been, and they always should be! Also known as Aburnett001 on MCN
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Rank: Member
Joined: 9/16/2007
Posts: 17
Location: In a milk factory
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Will, so you can make like a bazooka (you need one!)? so that thing makes molds, please reply!
[MOD - Since this is more a suggestion for a potential BA item, a post in the Comments & Suggestions subforum would be more appropriate. I'd suggested starting a new thread over there saying why you'd think a bazooka would make a good item and providing a picture or two for reference. If it's a good suggestions, you'll be guaranteed to get the replies you're looking for. - badger]
Quack, wow. That's silly.
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Rank: Member
Joined: 9/16/2007
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Location: canada
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awesome so you can make it out of steel? AWESOME!!!!!!!!
Hi
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Joel16 wrote:awesome so you can make it out of steel? AWESOME!!!!!!!! Joel, I'm not sure you understood my reply. I should have been more clear - I apologize. For the record: No, I cannot inject the mold with molten steel. I can only inject the mold with molten plastic.
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Rank: Advanced Member
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Location: Mt. P, MI
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What about molten butter or gummi? After padding my pancakes with ferocious pads of Brickarms butter, I could help myself to a gummi bear war with some gummi guns and gear. And then eat them all.
Don't just arm yourself. BrickArm yourself.
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Rank: Member
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Location: Maidstone
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how much can and does a CNC cost?
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Rank: Forums Administrator
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Karalis Vwillheym wrote:how much can and does a CNC cost? CNC Mills can run from $1,000 USD up to $50,000 USD, depending on size and capability. The one I use is a TAIG 2018, which gives me about 10" x 5" of CNC work area. I'm a bit of an electronics nut, so I added the steppers and controller, and wired it all up myself. It even has flood cooling, to keep the high-speed end mills from overheating and clogging up with swarf from the aluminum as they cut. The cooling will also allow me to use the mill to engrave ABS (genuine Lego Bricks) without melting the plastic. But, that story is best told in another thread..
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Rank: Guest
Joined: 9/18/2007
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Location: a dimansion between soda and a cookie"holland"
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but will please make a bazooka one day i doesn't need to be hollow.
BRICK ARMS: DEATH FOR LEGO'S RESURRECTION FOR US!
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Rank: Official Spokesman
Joined: 9/13/2007
Posts: 4,421
Location: Chicago
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the brick arms maniac wrote: but will please please make a bazooka becous it sucks to make one from lego and i cant wait til the m1 garand is gonna come [-o< [-o< [-o< [-o< [-o< [-o< [-o< [-o< A quote from Will from another thread: Quote:I'm not planning any rocket-type weapons right now. To get larger, fatter weapons with hollow areas would require a change in the way I am designing and injection my parts. Insert molding is a PITA, and I have loads of other fun weapons to tackle right now, instead. Also, one Smiley gets your message across fine. There's no need to run a string of them. badger
"... and that's when the C.H.U.D.s came at me" Flickr
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 9/19/2007
Posts: 27
Location: Canada
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Woah this is kinda ironic for me since I was just talking to my dad about how you could make a rifle. Mind you I was thinking of more of a springfield and less of a garand, but either way its a sweet deal. So are you making it like the lego muskets, and do you plan on making any sort of sniper rifles eg. springfield, gewehr scoped, kar98 scoped or a mosin nagant scoped? :-s [ADMIN - Grunt, I'd love to answer you, but please ask your question in the World War Suggestions forum, ok? This forum is to discuss CNC, only --Will]
-Grunt-139 "Grunts Lead the Way" Oh grunt141 is a friend of mine and please dont judge him or I on the others actions
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Rank: Private
Joined: 10/26/2007
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Location: Russellville, AR
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Will wrote:[quote=Karalis Vwillheym]
The one I use is a TAIG 2018, which gives me about 10" x 5" of CNC work area. I'm a bit of an electronics nut, so I added the steppers and controller, and wired it all up myself. It even has flood cooling, to keep the high-speed end mills from overheating and clogging up with swarf from the aluminum as they cut. The cooling will also allow me to use the mill to engrave ABS (genuine Lego Bricks) without melting the plastic. But, that story is best told in another thread..
Hey Will... new to the forums here, but you might recognize the name, i've been on the various lego forums for a while.... anyways, i wanted to ask you about your setup a little... i've been doing a bit of research on cnc machines for another project i'm working on, and looking at the model you are using, that seems to be a great pricepoint, however, from the information i've gathered, the 2018 is just CNC ready... not actually a full cnc machine.... I noticed you said you purchased steppers and a controller separately, was there any other components you had to get to get this machine up and going? also, where do you get your alum blocks from? You're the first one i've seen with this setup that is similar to what i'm needing (size wise at least, not actually for lego) and was hoping you might give me a few pointers if you have time
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Rank: Moderator
Joined: 9/28/2007
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As uubergeek noted, you had added steppers and controllers to a CNC-ready TAIG 2018. Out of pure curiosity, what steppers have you used and also, what is the step resolution of your setup?
Enlist in Alpha Company today! Build an infantry squad, follow the official campaigns and participate in contests and community build projects! My Flickr, BrickShelf
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Rank: Battle Veteran
Joined: 9/16/2007
Posts: 1,043
Location: Norfolk, VA, USA
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Will wrote:The one I use is a TAIG 2018, which gives me about 10" x 5" of CNC work area. I'm a bit of an electronics nut, so I added the steppers and controller, and wired it all up myself. Is the added equipment necessary, or is the TAIG 2018 ready to go by itself? And what sort of software do you use to design and transfer weapon mold slots to the machine?
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 12/14/2007
Posts: 67
Location: Dixie
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How much does one of the CNC machines that cut you mold cost. Also if you owned one would you be able to pump(sorry makes you sound like a factory but i can not think of another word) out new molds at a faster speed, if so would you accept one as a gift?
Richard - Proud BrickArms user
Training errors are recorded on paper. Tactical errors are etched in stone. -Erwin Rommel
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Rank: Moderator
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rws591, Will actually owns the TAIG 2018 mill himself. He added stepper motors and a controller board and then wired the whole machine to a computer. Remember that each BrickArms weapon is a work of art (in my opinion) and so it may take Will many tries before he finalises his mold and cuts it. A CNC ready version of the TAIG 2018 is around USD$1000~, from what I see on the Taig Tools website. Will may have a better cost breakdown, if he's willing to share it.
Enlist in Alpha Company today! Build an infantry squad, follow the official campaigns and participate in contests and community build projects! My Flickr, BrickShelf
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Rank: Official Spokesman
Joined: 9/13/2007
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GreenLead wrote:Will may have a better cost breakdown, if he's willing to share it. Answered here in as in much detail as he is willing to provide: Will wrote:Yes, I know how much I have spent on BrickArms. I think it is not enough, but my wife thinks it is too much. It is probably somewhere in between. ;) Really, consider it slightly tactless to ask Will about costs. Both Brickarms and Will are secure financially, and that's pretty much all anyone would need to know. badger
"... and that's when the C.H.U.D.s came at me" Flickr
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