Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Digest Number 2638

At 20:58 17/10/2002 +0000, you wrote:

>Hi Tony, Alex,
>
>I have a similar need. A small flat spring for a digitizer probe I
>built. I need a small flat spring made out of something like phosphor
>bronze, or steel. .006" thick (??). But as it's only about .5" long,
>it's a little hard to machine! Glueing/soldering it down to PCB
>material might work. I will need a tiny endmill to mill it out, I can
>generate the Gcode easily enough. I was also thinking that this flat
>spring could also be made by EDM, although I have no equipment for this!
>
>Perhaps glueing/soldering to PCB material would work in you case too
>(let me know!).
>
>Pix at:
>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO/files/Digitizer%20Probe/ProbeSpring2.jpg
>
>Look under files / Digitizer Probe / ProbeSpring2.jpg
>
>Alan KM6VV
>P.S. MSC doesn't carry silver solder (high temp)? Anyone have a
>source? I've got crankshafts to fabricate!

Alan -

Soldering onto PCB material sounds like an interesting idea - I will keep
that one in mind! Soldering onto another piece of (solid) metal is another
well-known solution to this problem, of course.

If you're looking for suitable spring material, it might be worth looking
at clockmakers' suppliers for suspension spring stock - comes in a wide
variety of thicknesses and widths.

An alternative to a tiny endmill might be to use an engraving V-bit - not
the Dremel-style burrs, but the real engraving cutter. The advantage over
tiny endmills is that the V-bits are much more robust - therefore more
tolerant of getting the feedrates wrong.


Regards,
Tony