I need something fabricated, metal stamping
 

I need some metal brackets duplicated (from an original) for a project. They need to be stamped, and formed,can't be a standard sheetmetal shop, tried them, the metal brackets I need duplicated are about 3/8" thick for the thickest piece. There's 3 pieces that fit together to form the whole bracket.

I need 400 brackets to start with.

Anybody in this business?

thanks,
Eric
elinden@earthlink.net

Eric,
Try Fast Trak Fabrication in Fresno, CA
info@fasttrakfab.com
559.222.4450
Ask for Ferol
Tell her I sent you.

Sherwood

You might be talking about building a die. That is spendy. Not exactly certain what you are making but if you can stay away from die cost, that is good. Is this something that can be cut out with a laser or water jet and then formed in a brake? Lots of great shops in Seattle. I would talk to a smaller mom and pop place and get some advice. Pics help too. We have smart folks here.
Larry

I use this firm here Tonnard Manufacturing - Discover a world of diversity with stampings by Tonnard to make a bunch of different parts. Give Brian Bills a call, he can make anything that requires stamping of metal. I have been to the shop there and they have some of the best equipment for doing this sort of thing.

Lendaddy might be able to offer some advice.

ditto. (and bump) ;)

OK,

PM'd Lendaddy. Will post pics shortly, thanks for the help so far. Yes, it appears that I will need tooling. I'm willing to do a 1000 pcs if it helps with the tooling as I'm probably going to need that many eventually.

Northwest manufacturers a "plus", trying to not go overseas.

Eric

Depending on the thickness of the material and the finished shape, die stamping may be the most cost effective. A die can be a few or many hundreds dollars and is typically owned by the fabrication shop, but parts are relatively inexpensive to produce.

Laser or waterjet cutting usually requires a CAD file or equivalent to automate the cutting head. Simple manual bends can be performed after cutting, if needed.

You'll have to do the calcs to arrive at the most cost effective method for the total number of pieces.

If the cost is a wash, it's better to use a local shop.

Sherwood

Probably not much more than has been mentioned already. You need a stamping which means dies....which means lots of $.

The upshot is there are thousands of hungry tool and die shops out there so you'll get rock bottom prices. You might even be able to find a guy willing to fab you the dies on the side.

Since you have originals you're way ahead of the game but the die builder will still want prints if you have them.

I would almost recommend posting on craigslist for a guy...hell, what do you have to lose. There are also services that that will send your prints out to thousands of shops for quotes...but this seems a bit small for that. Just try walking into some smaller T&D shops with your originals, you'll get quotes.

Hey Stranger!
How was Germany?.....Does Trace have any contacts local? Waterjet is getting pretty common, and cost effective. You don't have that huge upfront "Bend-Over" Fee. I bet I know what your making?.....You might want to make a 1000!
Best Wishes,
KT