Today we are talking about... chassis specifications

[roberto]

Hi all,

I'm planning to build some unpainted laser-cutted metal chassis.
I've already done some in stainless steel AISI304 and they work great, but I would like to try some alluminium chassis, because I like it, it's way easier to drill some extra holes, and it will weight 50% less.

I know old Marshal chassis were made with 1,5 mm alluminium, but which alloy? Peraluman? Which one do you think it's better and why?

I've found this document about mechanical and electrical characteristics of different alloys: http://www.foundry-planet.com/fileadmin ... o_engl.pdf

If someone can help me, I'd really appreciate.
Thank you!

[ToneMerc]

Those are casting alloys, I think you want aluminum sheet.

http://www.metalsupermarkets.com/catalog/ALUMINUM/SHEET

TM

[LeftyStrat]

Ages ago I purchased a JTM45 chassis from Paul Ruby. It was pretty amazing. I think I could have driven a car over it without damaging it. I seem to remember it was 6061. Good machinability and excellent corrosion resistance. Had to be close to a couple of millimeters thick.

I see sizes in 0.063" and 0.125", so it was probably 0.063"

[roberto]

Thank you ToneMerc,

Peraluman is in fact a commercial name for series 5000:

5052H32 : This alloy has good workability, very good corrosion resistance, high fatigue strength, weldability, and moderate strength. This leads to its use in aircraft fuel/oil lines, fuel tanks, other transportation areas, sheet metal work, appliances and lighting, wire, and rivets.

[roberto]

Thank you Lefty!
So it's the series 6000 the one supposed to win the race?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/6061_aluminium_alloy

Applications: Aircraft fittings, camera lens mounts, couplings, marines fittings and hardware, electrical fittings and connectors, decorative or misc. hardware, hinge pins, magneto parts, brake pistons, hydraulic pistons, appliance fittings, valves and valve parts; bike frames.

...and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pioneer_plaque
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/c ... 1621-x.jpg

[roberto]

Yes, mine are 1 mm (0,04") AISI304 or 1,5 mm (0,063" are 1,6 mm) Aluminium. The former weights around 2 kg, the latter 1 kg.

[LeftyStrat]

Thank you Lefty!
So it's the series 6000 the one supposed to win the race?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/6061_aluminium_alloy

Applications: Aircraft fittings, camera lens mounts, couplings, marines fittings and hardware, electrical fittings and connectors, decorative or misc. hardware, hinge pins, magneto parts, brake pistons, hydraulic pistons, appliance fittings, valves and valve parts; bike frames.

...and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pioneer_plaque
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/c ... 1621-x.jpg

I know that people like to tout "Aircraft-quality" aluminum. I guess you could throw in "Good enough for aliens."

So hey, it's good for marketing

[roberto]

"Hey, do you want to buy a new amp for Christmas?
Do you want an amp that lasts the armageddo-electro-magnetical-Maya storm of December 21st while the Christmas tree burns?
Buy a 6160T6 built, deep space ready amp."

[img:530:298]http://moviepopcorn.altervista.org/wp-c ... nshot1.jpg[/img]

[LeftyStrat]

"Hey, do you want to buy a new amp for Christmas?
Do you want an amp that lasts the armageddo-electro-magnetical-Maya storm of December 21st while the Christmas tree burns?
Buy a 6160T6 built, deep space ready amp."

[img:530:298]http://moviepopcorn.altervista.org/wp-c ... nshot1.jpg[/img]

LOL. Maybe you could stick it in your freezer for a while and add "cryogenically treated."

[MARK1]

Hi Roberto,

I know you are from Europe, as I am from Holland. I am the manager of a small sheet metal company in Holland. We have a laser cutting machine which I occasionally operate. I can tell you , in Europe for laser cutting most common and available Aluminium is AlMg3 or 5754. It is available also with protective foil for bending.

André

[martin manning]

5052-H32 forms and welds easily and has good corrosion resistance. It is commonly used for electronic chassis.

[bal704]

5052 is probably the most common aluminum alloy used in bending applications.

[roberto]

Thank you very much André,

so do you think that probably most chassis are just made in AlMg3 - 5754 (I know it's generally called Peraluman in Italy)?

Have you ever thought on build some small lots of chassis for the uses of the forum that live on this side of the pond? I've to draw cad files and then send to small companies that accept small orders, and I know there are a few people that likes to measure parts to make them fit a custom chassis, draw it, find someone who will build it, and so on...

It could be useful for the EU forum users, and for other forums too (I'm moderator at sloclone forum).

[roberto]

Thank you Martin and bal,
maybe 5052 is more used in USA and 5754 in Europe?

Resistivity should always be lower than AISI304, isn't it?
Also because Aluminium should auto-passivate.

[MARK1]

No thanks Roberto,

I am just sharing my knowledge as you all do on this great forum. Because of the reflection of the laser beam when using pure aluminium, for instance Al99.9, you have to use some kind of alloy. The most recommended and used for laser cutting in Holland/Europe is AlMg3 or 5754. It is also easy to bend and weld. I have thought and done for myself a custom fender chassis once from AISI 304, but it didn't work out because of the narrow spacing for the pots I settled on. But no harm done, I can do it over any time I want. If you want I can assist you with your drawings if needed, it is part of my job as managing and engineering. Our company is special in that it is common for us to accept small orders, even orders of single products. You could check out http://www.foekema.com/Foekema%20Plaatbewerking.htm, I hope your Dutch is sufficient.

André