I’ve heard some bad things about First Cut. Some complained about the poor tolerances, others that First Cut won’t tap holes (UPDATE: they tap holes for $2 a pop!), still others complaining about maximum part size.
They’re right, each one of them.
But if you’re willing to accept tolerances of ±0.005 (give or take) and tap your own holes, First Cut is a solid option.
They’re cheap, they’re fast. I had my parts in just a couple of days.
I had them machine a few sets of a clamshell handle design. It was screwed together so it didn’t need really tight tolerances. That being said, I had a perimeter rib of ~.020″ going into a slot of ~.030, and it fit in just nicely.
The bottom line, as long as you do a quick worst-case tolerance analysis, and are prepared with some shimstock, a file, and an extra day before the prototypes are due, you could save some time and cash by checking them out.
Word to the wise for Pro|e users: the automated hole feature creates a surface at the major diameter of your threads. I’ve had a rapid prototyping house misinterpret that as the drill diameter, leaving me with a hole too big to tap. Considering how automated First-Cut is, you might want to check with the account manager.
Related posts:
- why you should always prototype
- urethane castings: 3 things to ask before you hit ‘send’
- using diamond pins for locating
Article by chris loughnane
Chris is Design Engineer + Sustainability Advocate at a Boston area design consultancy and has written 127 sweet posts for the Product Development Notebook.
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