... Electrical Discharge machining works on 0.010" diameter brass wire, or 3D shapes precision machined into solid graphite blocks, or regular old spark plugs. Here we're burning the cavities of a new mold. Steve has machined 3 of the exact same electrode. The way this works is 90% of the erosion occurs on the workpiece, and 10% comes off the electrode, meaning the electrode changes shape as it burns. Sometimes it takes 6-7 electrodes before the cavity fits the bill, here we have 3 for starters. Ram EDM is kinda like the proverbial frog jumping half the distance to the pond. Somewhere along the way the toolmaker calls it good enough. Sorry about the fast moving camera, I had to cram it into 59 seconds. Questions ? And do you recognize the part we're gonna mold out of 50% glass-filled nylon ? ML
5,228 views; 324 likesbali.walker Looks like a dust cover for the worlds most precisely built ARs to me 5 likes
j_frank24_ Almost looks like the cleaning rod retainer inside the RAT stocks but I thought they were longer?
alankeithjohnstonjr WAY over my head. But still cool.
vine_matt Great stuff thank you for sharing the process
disner1 @laruetactical would 3D printing be an alternative? Or is this faster. @mkmachining has an awesome printer that I think could make the dustcover. 1 like
- laruetactical @disner1 ... This is a Class "A" injection mold cavity being made. 3D printing is something entirely different, I know because I own 3D printers too. 3 likes
- mkmachining @laruetactical you should hit us up. MJF is quite a far cry from normal printing. Molding is going to be cheaper in the quantity you're talking, but you'd be in the probably $2 range for this part from glass fill nylon, a good offset to your mold cost for a bit!
arhymer362 I can just smell it ...
joshlafaire ML seeing these videos and the work that goes into every part is amazing. Makes the whole "wait time" argument useless. Great job! Looking forward to my 6.5 creed UU!
ccontres24 @balloway does this give you a tool room boner?
- balloway @ccontres24 yes it does
cts304 Ejection port covers?
ziptiespec Very cool.
sandy__mitchell I have know idea what your saying but I'm sure it's gonna be a good looking quality product 👌😜