View Full Version : gauge needles
mondo50m
12-16-2009, 10:02 PM
Put my CNC to work today making these gauge needles, (pointers?). The clear ones are made from vivak and the white ones are styrene. Did some in aluminum, but they really work the homemade CNC.
Milt
http://www.mycockpit.org/photopost/data/572/medium/FILE0008.JPG
AK Mongo
12-16-2009, 11:41 PM
Nice work,sir! What in the world is vivak?
Matt Olieman
12-17-2009, 07:17 AM
Nice going on making those pointers, good job :) :) :) How long did it take you Milt?
mondo50m
12-17-2009, 09:04 AM
Pet Vivak is a plastic much like lexan, but I believe, a little easier to work with. I can make deeper cuts than I can with lexan. I run the CNC at about 500mm per minute with about 15,000 rpm, no lubrication.
The batch you are looking at probably took about an hour to finish. Now I have no idea what to do with them. I only need 4 of them for my use. It was just something I decided to give a go. My machine has a problem making perfect circles, but they are acceptable to me.
Milt
No Longer Active
12-17-2009, 09:12 AM
I know this is a bit off topic....
But would you know how would be best to make the 'aeroplane' in this gauge.
I have made multiple attempts to produce this 'pointer as it is really' but cannot get the right result...would you have any suggestions?
http://simkits.com/pictures/turn_coordinator_250.jpg
Thanks in advance.
Alex
mondo50m
12-17-2009, 11:42 AM
Give me the dimensions of the plane and I will be glad to see what I can do. I can only try to help out.
Milt
No Longer Active
12-17-2009, 11:56 AM
To my knowledge wing tip to wing tip is around 58mm, height varies on design, so if you fancy playing around with it and seeing if its actually possible to replicate anything like this, then be my guest. Simkits injection mould these parts and I guess a cnc router could produce something similar, its just a fidly part to make, so this could be a challenge...
But good luck and I wish you all the best! Lol :)
Tripacer
12-17-2009, 01:04 PM
Mondo50m, Very nice; thanks for some of the cutting details, what size and type of bit did you use. I am about to finish my CNC machine and the needles for my instrument following MikesflightDeck plans are bugging me. You solution is GREAT.
William, Tripacer Sim Builder
mondo50m
12-17-2009, 01:31 PM
For Tripacer: If you are using MACH3, give me your email address and I will send you the gcodes. They are about 27mm long and 1mm thick. Some are smaller for the smaller gauges.
For Alex Jay: I will take the infor you gave me and see what I can do.
Milt
388TH_A
12-17-2009, 11:02 PM
I know this is a bit off topic....
But would you know how would be best to make the 'aeroplane' in this gauge.
I have made multiple attempts to produce this 'pointer as it is really' but cannot get the right result...would you have any suggestions?
Thanks in advance.
Alex
Does this link help you out at all http://home.exetel.com.au/flightsim/flight_instruments.htm
No Longer Active
12-18-2009, 08:01 AM
Hi Thanks for the link....
I always reference to the guy for inspiration.......
Thanks.....
mondo50m
12-18-2009, 11:10 AM
Here is the pointer for the attitude gauge tat I made by request.....not sure if it is right as I do not have the proper measurements. Also, my pictures keep coming out fuzzy....I have an 8mp camera. Do not get it.
http://<img src="http://www.mycockpit.org/photopost/data/532/medium/FILE0001.JPG" />
mondo50m
12-18-2009, 11:12 AM
Lets try again......here is the pointer I made for the attitude gauge....not sure of the size, just guessing....but it is 58mm wide.
http://www.mycockpit.org/photopost/data/532/medium/FILE0001.JPG
Milt
No Longer Active
12-18-2009, 11:16 AM
Wow.....
That is top notch quality!
PM sent.....
Kind Regards....
Alex