Sensible pricing for a job?

[cardiffrob]

Soooooo, I've had this idea for a modified suspension component passed on to me to see if I can take it anywhere. I've looked into getting 100 made from scratch but that got nowhere due to the tooling cost over £2000. Next step was to find an eyebolt already in production that had similar dimensions but that hasn't (yet) yielded a suitable part. Next job is to ask the website regulars what it might cost to have something like this lathed up in EN8 (original was mild steel) and how I should go about finding someone to do it. I've never looked around for someone to do this sort of thing before so don't know if it is worth looking abroad or if it is viable to get it done in the UK? Would it normally need to drawn up in CAD before someone quoted for it or does a drawing suffice? Can it be made from a single piece of 1.5 inch bar stock or should it be cast into a rough shape and then machined?
The biggest question, though, is what it ought to cost?
Thanks.
Rob

 

[500e]

Rob
Try here
They did small batch of special mountings for us, a pattern, or drawing for CNC will help but they will do that from rough drawing at a cost.
Price fair nice work on time & to cost agreed, a really helpful friendly Co.
No connection other than above.
PS.
If you saw my sketch for the parts yous is a prince among drawings
Berry & Escott Engineering Units 25 - 28 Blake Mill Business Park, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 5LT

 

[cardiffrob]

Thanks. Email already sent!

 

[500e]

Hope they can help we found then very good
We dealt with Tim

 

[cardiffrob]

7 emails sent and 5 phone messages sent to various UK companies. Guess how many have contacted me?


Anyone know the code to dial for India?

 

[WorkshopChris]

I think without a specified drawing most people will be put off as if they have to produce a drawing then if fails in use it could be claimed the design is at fault and be seen as liability issue.

But if they were just to make to your drawing with all the details specified then providing the material is of the correct grade and everything matched the drawing issued any failure would be down to you.

I personally wouldn't be happy producing a part for suspension component without a awful lot more info as to how it will be finally used.

 

[rikrobson]

It doesn't look like alot of machining work. face the end turn the .685" then the thread OD. then cut thread using a die. Part off the piece and face the other end then drill the 7/8 hole.

I presume they will need to be heat treated as they are suspension parts.

 

[colnerov]

My twopenneth, Without the third view it's not clear whether that's square or round, which will affect the strength of the head.

 

[Welderpaul]

Not sure how accurate the 1.500" dimension actually needs to be but you have stated it to three decimal places. If 1.5" or 1.50" is good enough it's going to save a fair few quid.
The cost on a job like that is going to vary depending on how the tolerance you need it made to.

 

[WorkshopChris]

My twopenneth, Without the third view it's not clear whether that's square or round, which will affect the strength of the head.

I cant get my head round exactly what is required from the drawing, would definitely benefit from more info.

 

[cardiffrob]

Fair points. The drawing is knocked up from dimensions taken from an original but I could improve the quality and presentation of the technical diagram. The suspension bits are nothing fancy since they were roughly made and don't take much load.



The one on the left has more thread and more distance between the end of the smooth section shoulder and the centre of the rubber. The idea is to make the distance even longer which was once done with the little brass C-washers. The 'bush' end can be made from 1.5 inch square and so long as the hole is centred correctly it doesn't need to be machined at that end. The shaft slips inside a tube welded into the chassis and the shoulder butts against the side of the chassis rail so having the bush end cut from square would mean more area for forces to bare upon, thus reducing the common cracking...

 

[cardiffrob]

Exactly like this except slightly simplified.

 

[cardiffrob]

Original versions with the red rubbers in were forged in mild steel and the ones in the video are mild steel without heat treatment. Not much loading on them and the extra meat on the machined new ones will help. The videoed ones have been raced extensively.

 

[cardiffrob]

14 emails sent out, one received back. "Sorry, we can't do automotive work for insurance reasons".

Makes you feel a bit sad, doesn't it.

 

[cardiffrob]

Not mine but they do show a finished article against an old one.


Great news. Finally found someone who is not only willing to do it but sounds keen, too. Need now to finalise a few dimensions and to decide what material to use. EN8 is the one suggested against the mild steel of the original and the later home-brew versions. These new ones will be heftier in construction yet is it worth going belt-and-braces and either choosing another steel or even heat treating? I'm not an expert in this sort of thing, far from it, so would welcome any sage advice.

So far I've gone with a thicker wall round the big hole, a radius between the head and the shank and a washer of large proportions to spread the load across the face of the chassis leg instead of the brass C washers. Any more thoughts?

Thanks.

Rob

 

[lchris21]

Simples enough machining job, though some of the corners could be stress raisers? My advice would be to do your research on product and public liability first before getting any quotes for manufacture? Ok making em for yourself or mates, but making to sell could open a huge jar of worms? Not to dampen your enthusiasm, but think of the worst case scenario if one should fail in service? Blame claim culture we live in unfortunately........Best of luck

 

[Bill Edwards]

I would round off the corners slightly, even just with a touch from a file.
What's the old one made of, is it hardened? I wouldn't expect it to be.

 

[500e]

Mallable can be good as it bends rather than breaks

 

[cardiffrob]

The originals are quite soft,

not very pretty to look at and I'm told they were forged mild steel.

I was planning to have a radius added under the head and then use a washer with a radius in it. The issue I was working on yesterday was the insurance which has not gone very far.

 

[cardiffrob]