Hey guys! How's everyone doing? Its been a while since I've posted here!

I am enrolled in our Precision Machining Program here at Southwestern Illinois College, and there is an optional project in a class of mine. The class is for a CAM program called MasterCam. It is a used for creating a 3-D part on your computer, which is then converted into a program used to run a CNC mill/lathe of the users choice. In this instance I am using a new HAAS VF-1 vertical mill, or a new HAAS TM-1 vertical mill.

The company, MasterCam, holds annual competitions. One is "Innovator of the Future", which is where a certain product is assigned with specs for critical dimentions. The end products design is up to the student, as long as it meets the dimentional requirements it is judged with the other entries. The other is the "Wildest Parts Competition", where I am able to make most anything I want and submit it, as long as it is within some size specs. This is the competition I need help with. I will enter the IOF also. These are both going to be entered in the 2010 spring semester, latest being the fall semester depending on the submission deadline.

I am looking for ideas for an innovative, and entirely functional part to create and submit. Unfortunately, I can't make any firearm related parts (BS, I know). I want to see if I can get a clarification though on what that means, I would like to build a co-axial front rest possibly. I have been involved in drag racing with my dad, so I am also heavily considering something in that area as well. Motorcycles, ATVs, art, anything along those lines.

Any brainstorming help would be much appreciated. Don't worry: there will be pics throughout the entire process.

Here are links to both of the competitions, they are closed for 2009. So I will enter in 2010.
Wildest Part: http://mastercam.com/WildestParts/default.html
Innovator of the Future: http://www.mastercam.com/iof/

Thanks,
Jerry

Jerry,

If you end up doing a coax rest, you might be requested to go into production (if the price is right and it works )!! No point in letting those machines sit idle.

Anybody know what the guts of those rests looks like?

redvapor, I think I know what this "coax rest" is, but if you wouldn't minding posting a small picture of one I'd be much obliged! I was planning on building a front rest this past year when I had a manufacturing class. I ran out of time but the idea still gets passed around in my head from time to time. I think you could get some good results and have a fairly easy project.

Here are some links to pictures of coax rests. I assume this is what Jerry was talking about.

http://accurateshooter.wordpress.com/2007/...axial-rest-top/

http://www.sebcoax.com/ Indonesia of all places!!

http://www.farleymfg.com/ This one is supposed to be top notch (along with the price)

Still don't know what the guts look like.

Happy machining

Hey Jerry....I don't know about such things, but I would say it would be a pretty good idea to come up with something along the lines of your rear-end gears you had in your first Chevy...That had brought you some pretty good results in the past

Wow thanks for the links and info! I will see if I can find any exploded diagrams or parts manuals for them, thanks! Mike, yes they sure did bring me some luck, I love the coyote skin hat! I have to hide it in my closet up on the top shelf, any time I get it out the dogs smell it and go nuts trying to get it, its quite amazing how crazy these animals get when I bring it out. Even out 13 year old Jack Russel goes nuts and jumps around like a nut!


Jerry