Pics of my water jet cut panel

I spend most of my work day on AutoCAD so I drew up my panel in it, originally just for planning purposes. Then I read that some builders were having their panels cut by water jet or laser and decided to look into it. 

Some of the reports were that the water jet cuts were not smooth and required a lot of rework. I decided to get some prices. I got quotes from two companies. Two others said they either wouldn't do it, or couldn't do it because of the lip on the back of the panel. The prices I got were $350 and $85.

Guess which one I decided to try???

When I got to the guys shop I was shocked at the scale of his business. It became quite obvious that I was not a money making customer for him. He was just going out of his way to help a "small guy" out. I do this frequently in my own business. 

The end result is absolutely perfect in my opinion. No way I could have done this (my fab skills are quite limited). There is a slight roughness to the edges which I have tried to capture in the close up. A quick swipe with sand paper and the edge will be perfectly smooth.

When I picked the panel up the owner told me it went easier than he thought it would and only charged me $50! Considering all the time (and mistakes) he saved me, I gave him $20 and told him to buy himself a drink on me.

This was done by Mark at Triton Water Jet in Napa, CA. I'm not sure he'll want to do another one of these but you might try him if your at that stage in your build.  

FYI - I added a few components after I gave Mark the file, so that's why a few items in the drawing are not cut out.

Gary

Views: 903

Attachments:

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Dave Gardea on June 12, 2015 at 5:51pm

Gary,

I also got my panel water jet cut as well. Like you I could not believe how inexpensive (I think I paid $65) and how quickly it can be cut from a CAD file. Another source for builders in the Indiana area is Abrasive Waterjet of Indiana (waterjetindiana.com). They were excellent to work with and I'd recommend to anyone who is designing their panel in a CAD program since the file can be read directly by the water jet machine. Here's a link to my panel page that has a few of my movies and pics of the process:

http://n631dg.davegardea.com/panel_%26_wiring.html#0

Regards,

Dave

Permalink Reply by Larry Zepp on June 15, 2015 at 8:45am

Hi Gary,

Nice job and a great referral for the waterjet vendor! Also - Thanks to Dave Gardeau - I will be trying Abrasive Waterjet of Indiana for my panel - Just down the road from Fort Wayne!

Best Regards, Larry Zepp, Zodiac 650B builder

Permalink Reply by Robert Unternaehrer on August 8, 2015 at 7:50pm

What CAD program are people using to water jet cut the panels.  How hard are they for someone with not CAD experience.

Permalink Reply by Gary Welch on August 8, 2015 at 9:55pm
I have been dealing with AutoCAD since it first came out. For someone with no experience I would say it would be very hard. It's not an easy program and I don't know of a simple or easy equivalent.
Gary
Permalink Reply by Robert Unternaehrer on August 9, 2015 at 6:20am

Would you consider doing an AUTOCAD layout from a hand layout for me.  I'm a while away from instrument layout.  I'm ready to hang and engine and some minor work on the fuselage.  I'm wanting to go a Dynon system if the Money factor doesn't get in the way.  

Permalink Reply by Gary Welch on August 9, 2015 at 10:08pm
Hi Robert
I will help you. The problem will be deciding exactly what you want to do. If the goal is to ultimately use the drawing file to get the panel water jet cut, then the design needs to be exactly what you want. I probably changed my design 25 times. Then after the panel was cut I needed to make another change.

The good news is, once you have the major components laid out, it's easy to make minor changes afterward.

If you send me a sketch of what you want and the manufacturers literature with the "cut out" dimensions. These dimensions are not the same as the face dimensions and are usually in the install literature.

You can email me at gaw.ebm@gmail.com.

PS: if any one else asks, no I can't help. I have very little time to spare in my life.
Permalink Reply by Robert Unternaehrer on August 9, 2015 at 6:22am

Also we have a computer club that does a lot of training on the "common computer programs" and I will ask them if there are qualified instructors in the PHX area this winter.

Permalink Reply by John Austin on August 9, 2015 at 6:35am

Gary mentioned he added a few components after handing over the file for water-jet fabrication of the panel, so the cut-outs weren't included for them. This illustrates the value of considering using sub-panels rather than trying to permanently locate everything on one large panel.

With the  rapid advance of technology, I guarantee that you will either change your instrument lay-out at some point or at least wish you could! If your panel is sub-divided into at least 2 or 3 sub-panels, all you have to do is change the layout of one sub-panel and not your entire panel and you don't have to disturb the installation of so many instruments and switches. These sub-panels could easily be done with the water-jet, too! 

My '99 C206 Stationair's panel was built-up of sub-panels and I copied the idea for my 750 after seeing how easy maintenance was - you can just pull a sub-panel and work on the backside of the panel in minutes - the resultant hole also allows great access to other things behind the panel.

Just something to consider ...

John

N750A

Permalink Reply by Robert Unternaehrer on August 9, 2015 at 9:03am

I'll look at this Idea.  My airplane is in Az and I'm in Mo. for the summer.  Not really how the panel is mounted, since I bought a quick build kit and did not build the panel.  Some people that when you use the glass panels you auotomatically have subpanels (pull the glass out the front leaves a pretty good access) but I truly understand what you are saying.   I've been looking pretty hard at the panel and trying to decide whether to put a completely removeable panel in front of the windshield, or your idea, or nothing but the glass panel removal.  Thanks

RSS

New from Zenith:

Zenith Planes For Sale 
  

Classified listing for buying or selling your Zenith building or flying related stuff...

Custom Instrument Panels
for your Zenith:

Custom instrument panels are now available directly from Zenith Aircraft Company exclusively for Zenith builders and owners. Pre-cut panel, Dynon and Garmin avionics, and more.

Zenith Homecoming Tee:

Zenair Floats

Flying On Your Own Wings:
 A Complete Guide to Understanding Light Airplane Design, by Chris Heintz

Builder & Pilot Supplies:

Aircraft Insurance:

 
 

West Coast USA:

 
Pro Builder Assistance:

 

Transition training:

Lavion Aero

K&S Aviation Services

Aircraft Spruce & Specialty for all your building and pilot supplies!

How to videos from HomebuiltHELP.com

Developed specifically for Zenith builders (by a builder) these videos on DVD are a great help in building your own kit plane by providing practical hands-on construction information. Visit HomebuiltHelp.com for the latest DVD titles.

© 2024   Created by Zenith.Aero.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service