On Dec 2, 8:51 am, mkr5000 wrote:
I was wondering if it's gotten to the point where most parts are cut
with a Laser or some other (plasma? water?) state of the art
technology vs conventional CNC shearing/punching etc.

Depends on volumes really, if we're talking about operations which can
be performed on either machine (simple cutting/punching)


My only parts are usually aluminum chassis for electronics equipment.

I know that there are different ways of approaching a part, like do
the punching first, then shear, notch and bend (or whatever).

Parts which have cuts/punched holes on formed features must be cut/
punched *after* forming (typically). Simple chassis don't require this
sequence because the punched features are typically far away from the
bends, and the bend geometry is so simple that the bends have
virtually no effect on the punched feautres.

I've done quite a bit of work with car body panel dies. The major
forming occurs first, and then the panel is trimmed. There are a
couple of reasons, but one major on is that forming will distort
punched features readily. It's hard to punch an oblong hole and then
bend/form the part such that the hole becomes round - easier to form
and then punch (for example).


But how would most big fabricators today approach an electronics
chassis?

How many copies do you want? 100pcs and they'll use the laser. 100,000
and they'll punch it. There are different ways to punch such a part.
Turret punch versus dedicated die set (and some other options in
between). Course there are always special instances where this is not
necessarily true.


Say a typical, simple aluminum one with small holes and 90 degree
bends etc -- nothing fancy.

Doesn't have as much to do with features/geometry as it does volume
(typically)

Regards,

Robin