CNC Socket Insert
Tools come in all shapes and forms some are small some are big one thing that is common to all tools is you need to keep track of them, it could be just to not lose them but, in some industries, it is vital to keep track of where they all are. Aerospace mechanics are held to a very high standard on keeping the tools in good shape and not losing them as a wrench being forgotten in a jet air intake could be catastrophic. My father is the opposite After over 50years of being moved around the 40piece ratchet set the insert that hold them was missing week ago they were just floating in the metal case getting beaten up and oxidising. I won’t be dealing with the second issue today but there are plenty of other instructibles on removing rust from tools and other items. After pitching the idea to my father in December he said it would be a good idea.
Supplies
https://www.amazon.fr/TwoWin-contrôle-plastique-acrylique-contrôleur/dp/B094Y2KSCY/ref=sr_1_6?__mk_fr_FR=ÅMÅŽÕÑ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.b6YrDIzdwD4ndteCwyFhL3AZfkyEf9fv02YeOYTNHaoGXHGgcq3QnwOpacAXl5T12Al-oW4x69F3fI1I0MgMU8nLyEXoK4QOvpd6Wo8LlncRvjaDwi_v63-WeTEFDGthzENlLnkfGpWh889oGaw723GWd1BaHVhoEdgmi9EpaucUOTbbldM04MeEeyxn0gkCFBh3VK37-w8ANYIaNQLh1o0uIWA6702avOIGottmZ2t4WjeDhAQ3c4pCItqV8ffm2RALmhUo78a9QAO9DEgH4H3ZYvLA9oGQfHQNgpn-Efg.M-bucHGNzPxFEkkjvN2JZZje5wGiRo19qPrSKzWhFeM&dib_tag=se&keywords=3018+cnc&qid=1712560360&sr=8-6&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.49fccda8-a887-4188-817b-b9a64bb30e43
Prepping the Sockets
The first step was taking the mess of sockets and Allen wrenches and removing the duplicated and choosing the better of the multiple instances of the same size I gave them a quick sand with WD40 to remove the surface rust and to make the size visible. I organised them if they were standard or hex and then if they are metric or imperial.
CAD
Next came the CAD (computer aided design) I made the stock and subtracted the different holes for each socket and other pieces
CAM
After finishing the CAD I went in to fusions machining or CAM (computer aided manufacturing) workspace and set up my new 3018cnc I received for my birthday. The 3018cnc is capable of cutting within the dimensions of 30cm *18cm* 4.5cm (+ or - depending of the spindle setup.)
Operations
I used a 3mm 4 flute milling bit with a 3.175mm shaft for all the operations.
I set up the polystyrene stock and set up the WCS and sent the Code at a 50% feedrate it took about 1Hour and came out near perfect. Most of the pieces fit and didn’t come out when shaken in exception for the ratchet and the extension
Downloads
Done
Using this I turned a tool case that was never used to something that is now used regularly, time has been saved and I learned a lot making this.