Looking for a patternmaker near Ravenna, Ohio

[craigibc]

Anyone know of a patternmaker near Ravenna,Ohio. I am looking to create some parts that need a pattern maker. I got a pattern maker in the Greater LA Area but I am looking to get some work done in Ravenna.

Any advice?

Craig

 

[RoninB4]

Presuming your project is for casting something in metal. Do you want help with the design and/or creation of the pattern itself? I'm nowhere near Ohio but thought some clarification and details might help others. Some questions the patternmaker may have:

1) Type of mold (there are several)
2) Production numbers
2) Level of detail/finish
3) CAD model and/or complete drawings (electronic files in useable format)
4) Material to be cast

 

[solo machinist]

There is Castalloy in Cleveland. I used to be a pattern maker for them in South Carolina.

 

[zeke/]

worked as patternmaker for thirty-five years, owned a shop for fifteen years need more information.

 

[rockettauto]

You'll probably want to look closer to Akron. Tri-cast comes to mind but theres a ton of that kind of work being done in that area for a very very long time.

 

[craigibc]

I have some projects looking to get made into both aluminum and magnesium vintage speed parts. I have a mahogany pattern right now at a shop in LA but I need the core boxes done before I can do any casting. I also have a few parts that I need to create both the pattern and core boxes for production. I have around 6-8 pieces looking to start producing in a run of less than 100 pieces each to start in the next 18 months.

 

[craigibc]

1) Type of mold (there are several) wood is the most common and economical at this point according to the patternmaker in LA
2) Production numbers less than 100 to start
2) Level of detail/finish vintage speed parts not very detailed does need to be machined when done.
3) CAD model and/or complete drawings (electronic files in useable format) non at this time and to reverse engineer into CAD is cost prohibitive
4) Material to be cast aluminum and also magnesium. Lite Metals in Ravenna does both

 

[rsanter]

If you have a CAD model of the parts then you can have the pattern done in 3d printing after you apply the required “shrink “ to the CAD model.

You could also look at have the wood pattern or,cores CNC milled out of wood

 

[manwithtools]

If you can find someone with a 3D scanner and the right software and skills, making 3D models might not be as cost prohibitive as you might think.

Reverse Engineering from a 3D Scan with Fusion360... for FREE!

 

[RoninB4]

I also have a few parts that I need to create both the pattern and core boxes for production.

none at this time and to reverse engineer into CAD is cost prohibitive

-Connecting these two posts seems contradictory. Patterns, like most things, are created from numbers/dimensions unless it's just an arbitrary artistic appearance sort of thing. The parts you don't already have a pattern for will need dimensional data from somewhere.

vintage speed parts not very detailed does need to be machined when done.

-Machining without dimensional data? How does that happen?

-So reverse engineering and CAD is prohibitively expensive? Not trying to be critical or insulting about this. I'm presuming that you've found a potential market for your parts, good for you. But either I don't understand your parts or you don't have a grasp on how things are made. There's a large gap between the concept of an idea and bringing the item to the marketplace, the actual creation of said item fills that gap. If a patternmaker in LA already has an existing pattern why hasn't he/she already carried the project forward? Not wanting to rain on your parade I'm going to back out of this thread unless I can make a constructive, positive contribution. I wish you success in your project.

 

[Graham08]

I used to live outside Ravenna and nobody comes to mind. I was going to ask if you were getting mag castings done. A number of racing equipment and aircraft manufacturers have stuff done at Lite Metals. I'll ask a buddy that is still in the area if they know of anyone.

 

[californiamilleghia]

I assume you have original Vintage speed parts that you can give to the pattern maker and he will basically enlarge them so when cast will shrink back to the original size ,

If you already know the machine shop who will machine the raw castings you might ask him what hold downs he would like added so it fits in his machines , that will make his job easier.

 

[craigibc]

-Connecting these two posts seems contradictory. Patterns, like most things, are created from numbers/dimensions unless it's just an arbitrary artistic appearance sort of thing. The parts you don't already have a pattern for will need dimensional data from somewhere.

-Machining without dimensional data? How does that happen?

-So reverse engineering and CAD is prohibitively expensive? Not trying to be critical or insulting about this. I'm presuming that you've found a potential market for your parts, good for you. But either I don't understand your parts or you don't have a grasp on how things are made. There's a large gap between the concept of an idea and bringing the item to the marketplace, the actual creation of said item fills that gap. If a patternmaker in LA already has an existing pattern why hasn't he/she already carried the project forward? Not wanting to rain on your parade I'm going to back out of this thread unless I can make a constructive, positive contribution. I wish you success in your project.

The cost to turn the part into a CAD drawing and then make into a pattern can be $15,000 to $20,000. I did consult with over a dozen companies that do the type of work that I met at PRI in Indy so they know the business. If I take that same part and get a pattern maker to do it the old fashion way it is around $5000-$7000. I agree long term to get it made into a CAD and work with it from there would be great way to begin but a 2 times the price it is not a sound business decision.

When it comes to machining a tool path for CNC will need to be made and I got another guy in the same business who has that taken care of already for me.

 

[XJSuperman]

I'm familiar with the area and no one comes to mind. That doesn't mean there isn't one however.

I do know that Dakota Foundry in South Dakota does all of this and specializes in oneoff parts and small runs. Its not in NE Ohio of course. Old tractors/steam traction engines are a specialty for them, but they love a challenge and doing something different.

Dakota Foundry | Gray & Ductile Iron Castings | Fastest Turnaround in North America

InstaCast - Send us a 3D model & receive your finished casting in a few weeks. Gray Iron Castings up to 5,000 lbs & Ductile Iron Castings to 3,000 lbs.

dakotafoundry.com

 

[tjansson]

$7-13k to reverse engineer a part?? I need to ask for a raise!

 

[RoninB4]

The cost to turn the part into a CAD drawing and then make into a pattern can be $15,000 to $20,000. I did consult with over a dozen companies that do the type of work that I met at PRI in Indy so they know the business. If I take that same part and get a pattern maker to do it the old fashion way it is around $5000-$7000. I agree long term to get it made into a CAD and work with it from there would be great way to begin but a 2 times the price it is not a sound business decision.

-I'm not the last word on reverse engineering to create CAD models but I've been doing this as an engineering contractor for the last 14 years (multiple companies) after leaving my career as a tool and die maker (20 years) for greener pastures. The price you were quoted to create CAD models at 15-20k sounds exorbitantly high. Was a pattern included at that price? Since I haven't seen your part(s) I couldn't say for sure but it sounds almost like:

1) They quoted WAY high because they didn't want/need the work. Lots of engineering/machining firms do this to discourage taking work from the general public. There are several reasons for this I won't go into here.

2) I'll apologize for how this sounds.......they estimated that you were gullible and priced it accordingly. This happens often under the heading of "Whatever The Traffic Will Bear".

I'll acknowledge that I can't possibly know how long it would take to create a CAD model sight unseen but I have a rough idea of how long it takes me to create something and I somewhat doubt your vintage "speed" parts approach the complexity of some of the designs I did on a daily basis.

When it comes to machining a tool path for CNC will need to be made and I got another guy in the same business who has that taken care of already for me.

-Could he not use a probe in the machining center to create an ersatz CAD model that could then cut the pattern/core from whatever material you choose? Lot's of people do. How does he/she intend to create tool paths for parts he doesn't have a pattern for? Sounds like he intends to take data directly from the part itself by probe.

As a sample I'll attach some images of things I've done and none of them took enough time to charge $15-20k (ok the house and factory floor did but there were substantially more components) I'm not trying to solicit business (don't think that's approved of) but I do think you've been quoted high. Do what you think is in your best interests.

 

[Firebrick43]

The cost to turn the part into a CAD drawing and then make into a pattern can be $15,000 to $20,000. I did consult with over a dozen companies that do the type of work that I met at PRI in Indy so they know the business. If I take that same part and get a pattern maker to do it the old fashion way it is around $5000-$7000. I agree long term to get it made into a CAD and work with it from there would be great way to begin but a 2 times the price it is not a sound business decision.

When it comes to machining a tool path for CNC will need to be made and I got another guy in the same business who has that taken care of already for me.

WHAT? Modern machine shops need a cad drawing of the part to generate the tool path, or at least of any machine shop int the 21st century. Programming without a CAM program is a waste of time, tooling, and man power. Fusion 360 is available for free if its a hobby project and for around 400 dollars if its a business project.

 

[manwithtools]

The quoted price of $15,000 to $20,000 is ridiculous, can you post a picture of the part(s)?

 

[slodat]

I have a 3d scanner, and provide reverse engineering services.

 

[NUTTSGT]

There used to be a local place called Rush PatternWorks but they went out of business. I'm not sure who assumed their business.



There was also a place in Marion, Ohio did stuff for us when I worked at Dayco making radiator hoses.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Oh, these guys are in town and employee owned.

If they can't do it for you, they should be able to lead you in the right direction.

 

[rsanter]

buddy bar I thought is in LA