Custom aluminium anodized CNC'd enclosure - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: IanJ
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 29, 2019, 11:54:12 am
content: Hi all,Couldn't find a thread on this but I am looking for any suggestions of who to use to make a batch of small custom aluminium anodized CNC'd enclosures for my next product.I'm looking for as cheap as possible and so have sent a few emails out with a Cad drawing of what I want to some Chinese companies.......Anyone got any suggestions or experience?Thanks,Ian.

author: DTJ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2019, 02:02:54 pm
content: I have no ideas on the CNC side of things but I do know that it's not overly expensive to have custom extrusions manufactured. It means a higher upfront expenditure. The extrusion die remains yours for future re-runs. An extruded housing may not suit your product.

author: spongle
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2019, 04:07:35 pm
content: If you're looking for cheap, CNC is not it.You need to start with a block of material and throw away 90% of it. To get a lower bound, calculate the volume of your enclosure and multiply by $0.75/cubic inch.

author: jc101
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2019, 05:07:58 pm
content: Quote from: IanJ on October 29, 2019, 11:54:12 amI use these guys for some custom enclosures, not sure about the CNC side though. No problem with anodised aluminium, they also laser engrave though this to create text which is cheaper than screen printing afterwards. Their website is a bit funky, but they do a good job.https://www.emko.cz/enDoes it have to me metal? Have you thought about getting some printed? I guess it depends on quantity, but worth dropping these guys an e-mail...https://www.bowmanap.com

author: iroc86
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2019, 06:40:06 pm
content: Quote from: spongle on October 29, 2019, 04:07:35 pmIt kinda depends. Even for small runs, it's probably cheaper to program a machine and run off a batch instead of paying someone to turn the cranks on manual equipment. But that depends a lot on the complexity of the design and the OP's interest in paying an upfront setup or tooling fee.CNC wouldn't necessarily imply hewn from a solid block of material. Do you have critical features that require high accuracy? Does your design consider manufacturability? If you're able to post up a few pictures, we might be able to look at the parts and see what sort of shop fits the work best.

author: IanJ
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 29, 2019, 08:02:21 pm
content: Hi all,First written quote is in from Team Rapid MFG Co., Ltd, Guangdong Province, China -https://www.teamrapidtooling.com/Cost = 15.80 USD each.Spec: CNC, A1 6061 aluminium, Black Anodized.It's an enclosure similar to the following but without the lid.......and obviously on my drawing i've optimized the internals for CNC routing.Ian.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2019, 10:56:42 pm
content: That doesn't sound unreasonable, if we are talking about low quantity (<50pc).What about posting the drawing?

author: iroc86
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2019, 11:40:35 pm
content: I agree with thm_w; that's a pretty fair price for a machined version of a box similar to the one you posted. Especially with anodizing. What is the quoted quantity? Are they charging you for setup/NRE (non-recurring engineering)?

author: amc184
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2019, 08:07:40 am
content: Quote from: blueskull on October 29, 2019, 11:01:37 pmNiiiice! Seriously though, looks like a blow moulding cavity for a water bottle.

author: beanflying
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2019, 08:13:25 am
content: I have brought a reasonable number of cases from this Chinese supplier both plastic and diecast.https://www.aliexpress.com/store/1006252?spm=a2g0o.detail.1000061.1.1c756584cu8GDMThey claim to be happy to do customs on short runs and so far the quality has been good.Worth an inquiry at least.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2019, 08:17:31 am
content: You can save money if they dicast the case and then just to the finishing on CNC.So like CNC holes/slots etc.. minimize the CNC time needed.

author: Kasper
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2019, 03:59:30 am
content: I haven't shopped around much but FacFox is the best I've found.For such a basic looking box, why not buy a ready made one from digikey or elsewhere?

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2019, 04:10:45 am
content: yeah, for hobby stuff or one-off production runs design your PCB around an existing case you can buy. It saves a lot of time/money.You can make up a metal template to drill any holes accurately if needed.But if you do need more, like 100 cases, then yes china/alibaba is a good source.You can get a customized metal case, like a 1590BB, for around $10 each if you buy 100 and can get whatever holes/slots cut into it that you want.Most of the places will also silk-screen labels on it and you can pick what paint or anodizing color you'd like.For reference, the $10 example was just for one color case, holes/slots cut and black painted. No silkscreen.You can probably get cheaper than $10/piece, even at 100 qty. but im not sure what the quality would be like

author: IanJ
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 01, 2019, 03:48:02 pm
content: Hi all,Update on all China quotes so far:TeamRapidTooling = 15.80 USDNJHighSpeed = 17.10 USDWorthEngineering = Declined due to low quantityYSY-Electric = 11.50 USDCNYocoInternational = Awaiting quoteQueeny Mechanical = 36.00 USDShenzhen Zhikai = 20.00 USDThe above are a mix of Made-In-China.com, AliExpress & direct enquiry via Google.So far YSY-Electric has the best feeling given the dialogue with each. They even provided a 3D rendered drg with the quote (I had supplied a 2D AutoCad & PDF drg).I can order 5off to start with and with no commitment to ordered in bulk (as I was quoted qty=100).I have not re-negotiated with any of them........yet that is! (remember I'm Scottish)......plan is to do that AFTER samples are received.There's a couple of others that mentioned sheet metal rather than CNC, but I'm not convinced with that as I've been down the sheet metal design on small items in another life and it's not as good.PS. No, I don't want an off the shelf enclosure. This is much better fun!......and I would like my logo CNC'd on the side if I can!Ian.

author: IconicPCB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2019, 06:17:56 pm
content: Ian,Try CNC zone a website akin to this one we are on.They have various subsections including members offering their CNC services.You may find something You like.

author: IanJ
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 19, 2019, 07:36:24 pm
content: Hi all,Here are the YSY-Electric fabrication photos. I ordered 5off as a sample before committing.They look good apart from 'maybe' the top flat surface which looks either dirty or has some residue from the anodizing......hmmm!Certainly the outside looks great to me.Can't wait to get them in my hands.PS I am still intrigued by the 1 USD quotes I got.......but as sure as a cat is a hairy beast costs would eascalate!Ian.

author: ebclr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2019, 09:26:25 pm
content: Please pass YSY-Electric web site or contacts

author: IanJ
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 19, 2019, 09:30:58 pm
content: Quote from: ebclr on November 19, 2019, 09:26:25 pmShenzhen YSY Electric Equipment Co.,LTDEmail: sales@ysy-electric.comWebsite:www.ysy-electric.comTel： +86-755-29418536 Mobile/WhatsApp:+8613612809534Wechat ID: emilytyz123 Skype:tyzemilytangOffice Address: Room402, Big City Time, Gaofeng community, Dalang, LongHua District, SZ, China

author: SilverSolder
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2019, 11:42:17 pm
content: Looks the bees knees, a level up in solidity!

author: iroc86
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2019, 11:58:45 pm
content: Nice! Thanks for posting the outcome of your supplier investigation. The inside box corners look really good considering the length-to-diameter ratio between the radius and pocket depth. The mottled finish on the thin-walled face is probably due to dirt or machining residue interfering with the anodizing process. It's pretty common in production work where a uniform plating finish isn't called out. The supplier probably figured this was a mating surface that would be covered up, so they didn't worry about it.I'm interested to hear if the exterior is a fingerprint magnet--the texture is likely from bead blasting, which is an art unto itself to avoid a "chalkboard" feeling or the attraction of finger oils. Based on your pictures, this one looks pretty good.

author: IconicPCB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2019, 12:44:00 am
content: Ian ,investigate ALODYNING as alternative to anodysingIf you require the two halves of the casing to be in good electrical contact do not anodyse.

author: IanJ
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 20, 2019, 05:41:20 pm
content: Quote from: IconicPCB on November 20, 2019, 12:44:00 amThanks for the info.There is no other half to my enclosure, I am playing with the idea of replacing the Hammond ABS enclosure (modified) I current use here.

author: NorthGuy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2019, 07:09:50 pm
content: You can raise the walls higher and make them flush with the glass.

author: IanJ
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 21, 2019, 08:25:47 pm
content: Quote from: NorthGuy on November 21, 2019, 07:09:50 pmYes, thats an idea.......but I also like the open frame appearance.Ian.

author: IanJ
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 25, 2019, 05:22:13 pm
content: Hi all,Sample enclosures in my hand now from YSY-Electric. Piccy below.The residue along the top surface comes off with a good wipe (it's a bit stubborn)......and leaves a good clean, flat surface.The quality inside and out is just perfect.Couple things, I had asked for a 4off 10mm or so deep M3 holes, but they couldn't go that deep and so I got 8mm which is fine, and also I had asked for a few 1mm radius inside corners but their standard min is 2mm.....which again was fine.Good communication from YSY, they did what they said on the tin from start to finish. My first dealings direct with a manufacturing facility in Shenzhen.Ian.

author: TheHolyHorse
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 23, 2020, 02:55:19 pm
content: Looks great and the service seems to be really good. Maybe I should consider doing something like this for my projects as well.

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2020, 03:51:18 pm
content: Quote from: spongle on October 29, 2019, 04:07:35 pmWe've actually had fairly large rectangular aluminum enclosures milled from block for less than it would have cost to mill openings in a stock casting or extrusion. When I say large, I mean ~300x200x100mm. They had to be milled on all six sides, too. I think we ordered 10 of those?Quote from: IanJ on November 25, 2019, 05:22:13 pmThat's actually pretty good, considering that a 2mm radius requires a 4mm diameter tool, and it has to be rather long to reach to the bottom of the part (which is what, ~40mm deep?). Long skinny milling tools are much more prone to problems and have to be run more carefully. Getting a smaller inside radius on that sort of part is probably best done on a 5-axis machine using a ball end mill and a more time consuming milling strategy, and it has to be a particularly accurate machine to do so with good blending into the other tool paths (or you have to do an even more time consuming finishing pass).

author: VEGETA
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2020, 12:21:23 pm
content: That is a kinda nice price for 100 quantity, say 12$ per unit = 1200$ which is a lot as once, but good as per 100 units. Assuming your product will be sold at a high price to cover for that.However, what about shipping and customs..etc?From what I read, you designed the enclosure yourself and didn't use one of their models with customization right? I thought they offer high prices for such custom design but 12$ @ 100 pieces seems fine.I'd like to see the silkscreening or marking that they do to see the quality.thanks for your feedback!