This isn't an RFQ, but as it pertains to picking appropriate outsource companies, I'm putting it here.
Lately, it seems I'm designing alot of small parts that require at least 2 if not 3 or 4 operations (re-clamping) in a VMC.
Most of my parts that I'm thinking about are under 1 cubic inch and are brass with small threaded holes. The quantities tend to run 50 to 200, with prices running $2 to $10 each.
I'm wondering when it becomes worthwhile to have a bar feed mill/turn machine shop quote on the project. I figure those have to be a bit more difficult to set up and run than a VMC.
How many parts/setups do you need to be talking about before it is worth it to use a mill/turn machine?
Or are these machines fairly easy to program and cheap to run?
Can they barfeed rectangular stock?
Thanks!
-Jeff