Hi guys,
I just purchased a brand new HAAS vertical 3 axis mill and also I have access to CAD/CAM software, and have some manufacturing experiences, but honestly, I don't know how I can make money out of the machine since it is the very first time I have my own machine. I have worked for other companies as an engineer ( programming their CNCs) and now I am teaching in university ( I have a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering), and just purchased the machine to have a side job and probably make some extra money. I just decided to post this thread here to see if you could help me to find something to manufacture or teach me how to advertise and probably find potential local customers. Any ideas are appreciated.
Thanks
Hi Ray,
Purely random (brain farts here) ~ busy day.
Prototype work comes to mind where you can combine essentially
consulting (exploiting your engineering knowledge and design engineering ability) with nascent hands on capability to physically produce stuff that you have full understanding of in terms of their function, purpose and integration into larger more complex systems.
That's an added value.
A lot of job shops don't like to do one's and two's as they can't charge enough $ that a client will accept, they'd rather have much longer runs of hundreds to thousands.
Only being 3 axis you may have to learn to be a "Fixture ninja" and pinch /steal a few approaches from the tool and die world. If you have good skills and your 3d mathematical transformations are sound then you can do a lot without 5 axis initially.
If you are almost devising components and systems iteratively (with a client) then its likely you will need other processes outside of your current equipment list . so might pay to get to know other smaller prototype shops in your area that might specialize in Wired EDM , Grinding, Anodizing , turning etc. So you build up a network you can provide business for to complete more complex projects.
You are probably gonna need other odss and sods for support equipment like a surface grinder or manual lathe or second hand cnc lathe etc. (to begin with).
Also offer design engineering services seperately.
The problem with only a 3 axis CNC mill you can only generate parts that are
one link in a chain as opposed to prototyping more complete sub assemblies that use a range of techniques.
I am not formally a machinist but have had to do a LOT of hands on engineering over three decades (at least) more on the optical / aerospace front. My company has one foot in software development and one foot in specialized hardware for advanced imaging. But very small and independent.
@Ray-BGKY what are your principal strengths and knowledge base in the mechanical engineering world that you could combine with practical hands on work ?
If you trade your time to learn and give customers a break (initially) and be super super patient then you can start to build up a network of "Peeps" that use your services as
they like to work with you and your engineering "Added value".
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@Ray you have to devise a fairly hyper efficient learning path for yourself that also dovetails with specific projects you are working on. Very difficult to accumulate a very deep and wide breadth of knowledge quickly (like a lot of the folks here have ) but it is possible to become your own master of a few specialized techniques you need to develop given time.
Could be few years until you actually break even and start making money with all the things you need to figure out … That's up to you and a bit of luck + perseverance + "people skills" not just machining skills.