Contract CAD work for wine bottles?
First off, I apologize if this is not the place for this type of request.
I am trying to get CAD files made for large format wine bottles. *see attached file
We are a local Austin shop and we want to make molds for a local project.
2 Answers
CAD files of the bottle(s) should be pretty easy, but more details are needed:
- How many different bottles are needed?
- How accurate must the dimensions be to a "true" bottle?
- Do you have a source for the bottle dimensions?
- What type of molding process will be used?
- What is the pay scale for this contract?
- When are the CAD files required by?
- Any special details required (i.e. labels, printing, shapes, designs, ...etc.)
- What CAD file formats do you require?
A 6 liter bottle (along with several others) is already available for free in the Library: Wine Bottle (6 Liter)
30L wow. I thought 6L was a big bottle :)
I'd use the 6L bottle in the library as a starting point. Other sizes can be developed from it.
Verifying the volume in CAD is pretty easy.
Payment rates can be tricky. This is a worldwide site so you should get a range of prices. There is no correlation between quality and price. Simple the market rates of each region. The best you might do is review the applicant's prior work, and confirm that there are no communication/translating problems.
Matching the proportions of the photo you uploaded should not be difficult. Could you label, or otherwise indicate the relative capacity of the bottles in the photo? You are looking to get 5 bottles made, but the image shows 10 variations. Searches online show similar images that range from 7 sizes to 12.
If you are getting molds machined, you should want something more than a PDF file. Most machinists will cut the molds with CNC equipment. If you only have 2D drawings, they will charge you (again) to make 3D data.
Step, Iges, Parasolid, and ACIS are common formats that most shops will be able to work from. A PDF is handy for overall reference dimensions, and any notes regarding process, material, and specifications.
Have you investigated the cost of tooling? Even a "traditional" sized wine bottle mold could cost a few thousand dollars (depending on the material used). A 30L mold will be a large investment.
You don't have to discuss your secret plans here in an open forum, but given the cost of molds, I'd seriously consider purchasing "off the shelf" wine bottles.
Are the you planning to make glass bottles, or will these be plastic (or another material) replicas?
Molding glass is a somewhat specialized field, and it would be best (though not a requirement) to work with someone with experience. Glass does not flow like plastic, so the molds are a bit different.
