CNC Machined iPhone case

[Diamon]

Have a school project coming up which involves developing and manufacturing a product in a CNC mill and/or CNC turning machine. What do you think of milling an iphone case in brass or aluminum? How much would you consider paying for such a case (milling a case would be quite expensive)?

And do you have any other ideas for a product?

Thanks in advance :)

[Fuganater]

Aluminum!! I would deff buy one. I think 30-50 would be reasonable. But might also be expensive. Although I would need to get a newer iPhone first. My 2G is starting to go.

[Twigsoffury]

I could use a machined titanium or aluminum alloy CCD mount for my dobsonian reflector.

but its gotta be ultra light weight.

well that's what i'd do. phone cases are a dime a dozen and metal ones already exist for like 19.99$ online


http://image.made-in-china.com/2f0j00UehaKtjzANcA/Metal-Case-for-iPhone-4-SCAI0121-.jpg

http://www.itechnews.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/EXOvault-Solid-Metal-Case-for-iPhone-1.jpg

But maybe i'm just in a hateful mood today.

[crenn]

You're also going to need to have foam in the metal case to actually protect the phone, both from drops and the metal case itself.

[Twigsoffury]

You're also going to need to have foam in the metal case to actually protect the phone, both from drops and the metal case itself.

what about anodizing or clear coating the metal to keep it from oxidating/corrosion if its just straight up metal stock he's milling But that would depend on the metal you used i guess right?


You can also PM me about metal plating, i'm still practicing ghetto
metal plating metals and I have a couple good links saved with guides, and some good youtube videos to watch. It's really easy once you understand which metals will take to others, and some things you need to base plate (called shock plating) with a different metal that acts as a cataylst between the two since the original two intended metals won't form a bond between the two.

But really the trick to successful plating is just having a "clean" surface to plate to, if you have any ANY ANY (can't say that enough) junk on the material.

You don't even need a large voltage or ampearge to plate small objects. my first experiment was with a cell phone charger and that worked fine LOL

[crenn]

I was more thinking about the metal case with no foam scratching the phone as it's pulled on and off.

But the coating of the metal is important depending on the effect you're wanting. If you use mild steel, then you're going to have to give a a protective coat to prevent rusting, or if you use Aluminium, you're going to have to allow for the fact it will oxidise in weather, but that oxidised coating will also help to protect it from some level of wear and tear. And since it's a phone case, you should also pay attention to what metals people can be allergic to. Copper is a decent example of this.

[Twigsoffury]

Copper is a decent example of this.


Did you know copper is an effective anti-biological agent against bacteria AND viruses! If you look next time your at the hosptial, you'll see copper fixtures in the surgury rooms and on the door kick plates,handles and stuff like that (i noticed its always chrome fixtures in the hospital "dramas" and TV shows)


http://www.coppertalk.org/wp-content/uploads/photo-copper-pull-handle.jpg

http://www.antimicrobialcopper.com/media/210377/rambouillet-france_500x240.jpg

http://hightechnologyscrubs.com/2011/12/30/can-cooper-door-handles-reduce-the-spread-of-infections/


I always wondered why the actual tools weren't copper, but i guess its for a few reasons like copper isn't exactly friendly with autoclaves, and some people are allergic to it.

[AmEv]

It's probably a chrome (finish) to reduce cost on a set.

[Twigsoffury]

It's probably a chrome (finish) to reduce cost on a set.

well who the hell outside of real surgeons and super chemistry geeks are going to know those fixtures are usually brass/copper and not chrome


=p

[Kayin]

People who spend most of their lives in the hospital like me.

[xr4man]

now that is something new and cool i didn't know until just now.


but back on subject, while i think metal cell phone cases are neat, i do wonder how much attenuation you are going to have of the signal trying to get through a material that is usually used to shield rf energy. so, yeah, those are cool, but do they render your cell phone inoperable once installed?

perhaps, just a metal carry case for a phone would be a better idea.

[Diamon]

Thanks for the input.
We've decided to not make a case.

Will post an update when we've got a product :)

[BuzzKillington]

License plate frame? pc parts? popular keyboard bezels? popular vehicle dash parts? Tons of stuff can be profitable if you're good at milling.

[Twigsoffury]

now that is something new and cool i didn't know until just now.


but back on subject, while i think metal cell phone cases are neat, i do wonder how much attenuation you are going to have of the signal trying to get through a material that is usually used to shield rf energy. so, yeah, those are cool, but do they render your cell phone inoperable once installed?

perhaps, just a metal carry case for a phone would be a better idea.

Should pass right through if it doesn't have a earthen ground.


only reason Faraday cages work is because it's got one hell of a earthen ground.

http://www.jeddaniels.com/wp-content/faraday_cage.jpg


can see the ground wire sneakin off.


But then again if you had sweaty feet with your shoes off standing on a embedded concrete floor or something you would turn it into a faraday cage

But its not like them iphones have good reception in the first place, so nobody would probably notice.

[Omega]

Should pass right through if it doesn't have a earthen ground.


only reason Faraday cages work is because it's got one hell of a earthen ground.

http://www.jeddaniels.com/wp-content/faraday_cage.jpg


can see the ground wire sneakin off.


But then again if you had sweaty feet with your shoes off standing on a embedded concrete floor or something you would turn it into a faraday cage

But its not like them iphones have good reception in the first place, so nobody would probably notice.

Not quite, I used to put my cellphone inside an altoids tin and that would make the signal disappear. Good way to kill your battery by the way, forcing your phone to constantly search for a signal... :facepalm: