Custom Optical Breadboards

[greanbeam]

I had never anodized cast so i didnt know if it were possible...FYI- a while back MOPHEAD linked me a home anodizing procedure which was fairly simple...any way I cant find that but if you google home anodizing a bit you will find it...

Sure. I have never heard of a DIY anodize kit. Cast or billet aluminum can be anodized by standard procedure by any plating shop.

[daedal]

I think I will have to be in on this one too...

--DDL

[300EVIL]

Are they milled flat???

[mophead]

I bought the home ano guide and have had thoughts of setting up an anodizing line for some one off parts for folks here and another forum i frequent.

the page is here: http://www.focuser.com/anodize.html . the guide is twenty something bucks but not much more info than on the page itself.

AFAIK, small parts would be easy, but large optical breadboard size may be a tad bit more difficult.

I'm still kicking around the idea since there seems quite a bit of interest, problem is that i already work 60+hrs/wk. and already have a business.


AND.....

Just so I'm not jacking your thread: I would/will be interested in a breadboard since the one I bought almost a month ago still hasn't arrived yet. Hmmmm.

[greanbeam]

Are they milled flat???

They are ground flat with a tolerance of .002" or less.

I do work everyday with tolerances in the thousands, so I am confident everyone will be happy with my work. I also know a couple board members for reference. Just for comfort, I dug out a 30" plate from our stock room I made 5 years ago. Its not as pretty anymore due to do stock room abuse but I'm just posting to show Im not bsing.

[300EVIL]

They are ground flat with a tolerance of .002" or less.

I do work everyday with tolerances in the thousands, so I am confident everyone will be happy with my work. I also know a couple board members for reference. Just for comfort, I dug out a 30" plate from our stock room I made 5 years ago. Its not as pretty anymore due to do stock room abuse but I'm just posting to show Im not bsing.

VERY NICE!!!

At this price, It's a STEAL!

[swamidog]

put me down for a 3'x2' 3/8" with a 1/4-20 every square inch.

thanks!

I have access to a CNC machine shop and would consider making a run on optical breadboards if I could get at least 5 people interested.

I understand there would be a variety of dimensions requested, I can accomodate any length/width/height and thread size. I presume most will want 1/4-20 every square inch.

Material would be have to be cast aluminum. Cast aluminum is the sensible choice due to its light weight and resistance to warping.

Approximate pricing would depend on thickness:

1/2" - $65 sq/ft
3/8" - $60 sq/ft

Please message me with your specifications and I can give a more precise quote.

[Laserman532]

put me down for a 3'x2' 3/8" with a 1/4-20 every square inch.

thanks!

2 x 3 wow...I would love to see a time lapse video of that being made

[swamidog]

i blame karl for letting me play with his beam table.

2 x 3 wow...I would love to see a time lapse video of that being made

[greanbeam]

I just made a program for 2x3 for kicks, cycle time is about 1 hour on the machine. Of course this doesnt include setup