In this project, we were tasked with designing and machining a simple case for PCB flash drive. I was able to learn how to create professional engineering drawings, generate toolpaths on the embedded software of the CNC Mill for simple geometries, and a new manufacturing technique for engraving onto metal parts!
Here is the drawing for the base of the flash drive. This part is to be made out of aluminum and fits the PCB flash drive inside, with screw holes for a top. While most of this part will be done by generated toolpaths, we still need to drawing to program and check our measurements as we go.
Here is the top of my flash drive. Its a simple rectangle with rounded edges but with a customized lettering. This lettering will be done using the laser cutter and coating spray. This is new territory for me, so I will have to experiment with how detailed we can get the results.
After programming the mill using the base part drawing, here’s the result. We then using a tapping block and the drawing specified tap to create the threads. I also used some sand paper to clean the part up.
Because of our tolerances on the drawing, the PCB makes a perfect press fit!
For this part, I also used sand paper to not only clean up the surface, but rough it up so the spray coat would adhere better.
Here’s the assembled flash drive using bolts to fasten everything together.
After the top was sanded, we then used some ethanol to further clean the part. After experimenting on a test piece we were able to find the perfect drying time, laser power, and laser speed. With a few sprays, we let the part dry and fed it into the laser cutter. The results look fantastic…
Here’s the final assembly! A custom flash drive and a new manufacturing technique learned!
