If I wanted to make my own camera adapters...

DanDOF

DanDOF

Well-known member
Lately I've been conceptualizing a design for a new type of camera adapter. Its a complex design that would require making it from scratch.

Here are some questions for anyone who can help:


  1. What kind of machines are involved in the production process? (CNC, Casting?)
  2. Do services exist for ordering custom parts, and if so, how do I specify what I want? Do I have to make an AutoCAD diagram?
As you can see, I'm looking for some very general info here, as I am trying to figure out how hard it will be to bring my idea into reality.
 
Pretty hard to do if you aren't friendly with a machinist. :)

You would need a lathe and/or mill- better with CNC setup which would require some type of 3D design that the machine can read. Most likely you would make it from a solid block or bar, no casting.

There are places on the net to send a CAD file to and they will make your part as you specify. You could probably find someone local, (depending where you are), to do the same thing for more money.

The real question is tolerances. You need to know the tolerances required in order for it to fit properly. We're talking down to .0001" here. This usually requires precise measurements with the proper tools and some trial and error... something that gets expensive pretty fast when hiring it out.

Would this design help get rid of mud? :) If so, then I'm on board! (amateur machinist myself)
 
Custom machine work

Custom machine work

Dan,
There are machine shops everywhere with CNC gear and most looking for work these days. Call up a few from the yellow pages and find a small shop willing to work with you. I had parts machined in La and Santa Clarita Ca. Both one man shops at $50 an hour. One job I did was a bracket to connect my Norris intervelometer to my Arri IIC $100. The other was for custom dolly trucks and other custom aluminum rig parts. I spent a grand for a lot of good quality custom machined parts including the materials. Bigger shops may not be interested, but still may refer you to a smaller shop. Go for it.
 
Tim Joy is absolutely correct. Figure out exactly what you need before you get a machinist involved.

Are you looking for your machinist to also handle anodizing, assembly and testing of the completed unit?

If you are using optical and electronic elements you are adding additional layers of complexity.

Your charges will depends greatly on how flushed out your design is, how complex the pieces are (number of CNC set-ups, and/or lathe/bench work)

There are plenty of places that can build a widget to spec. There's few that have the correct industry experience to help you shape your design and recommend changes pre-prototype to make it work well.

Hot Rod Cameras can do custom work. If you send me a PM we can discuss in more detail.
 
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