[sdiy] CNC for synth DIY?

[Mike Beauchamp]

I have a workbee CNC and a prusa 3d printer, and honestly the 3D printer 
gets used way more for synth related things.

You can do front panels (with lettering if you do 2-colour prints), test 
prototype user interfaces by seeing if the jacks/knobs are spaced 
comfortably, see how a diameter of knob feels in your hands before 
ordering it, or make parts for production runs like stand-offs, spacers, 
or even knobs, etc.

I also use my 3d printer to make custom jigs, like things that hold 
jacks and potentiometers perfectly lined up while I solder them.

If you were really serious about making light-pipes, you can 3d print a 
positive, make a casting in silicone and then use optical clear epoxy.  
See the smooth-on website for an example where they recreate a headlamp 
for a car.

I'd say the 3d printer is a pretty useful tool. The CNC machine on the 
other hand, I treat more of like a robotic drill / router at this point. 
The complexity with programming it, changing bits and making 
jigs/holders for work pieces means that it only really gets used in part 
of a production run where the design has been finalized and there's 
quantity to warrant it.

I know people that make PCBS with their CNC machine, and that's a thing 
sure - but if you already designed the PCB in software, you may as well 
send it out for prototype manufacture and get plated thru-holes, 
silkscreen and soldermask and save your shop from fiberglass dust.

Mike


On 2025-02-19 16:25, cheater cheater via Synth-diy wrote:
> I was wondering what people would use a CNC mill for if they had one,
> for synth diy stuff. It seems like almost all the hardware is already
> easily available or made.
>
> I know front panels are one suggestion (eg one manufacturer makes
> front panels out of brass) but I'm sure there are other, maybe even
> more creative, uses of a CNC mill, so I'm curious.
>
> Injection molds for light pipes? Gear systems for concentric
> potentiometers? Surprise me.
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