Hi,
I read this wonderful thread today about stock size callouts, seems like the consensus was to leave the decision of what blank/stock size to use to machinists, but I still have a question about best nominal size to choose in order to minimize the cost, machining time, etc. I will ask it in form of an example:
Let's say I have the option of designing a 0.5" thick steel part, 3.00"(+/- 0.01") wide or 2.90" (+/- 0.01") wide, i.e. as long as the part is made within that tolerances, the part will function as expected regardless of the size.
My question is: if I go with 3.00", do machinists (in general) go with next stock size available (probably 3-1/2" or 3-1/4"?) and machine down to 3.00" to achieve that tolerance? If yes, does that mean that it's more desirable if I go with 2.90", so they can just use a 3" stock which is more readily available and also cheaper?
Thanks,
I read this wonderful thread today about stock size callouts, seems like the consensus was to leave the decision of what blank/stock size to use to machinists, but I still have a question about best nominal size to choose in order to minimize the cost, machining time, etc. I will ask it in form of an example:
Let's say I have the option of designing a 0.5" thick steel part, 3.00"(+/- 0.01") wide or 2.90" (+/- 0.01") wide, i.e. as long as the part is made within that tolerances, the part will function as expected regardless of the size.
My question is: if I go with 3.00", do machinists (in general) go with next stock size available (probably 3-1/2" or 3-1/4"?) and machine down to 3.00" to achieve that tolerance? If yes, does that mean that it's more desirable if I go with 2.90", so they can just use a 3" stock which is more readily available and also cheaper?
Thanks,