Content Stats & Analytics for @hpa101

High Performance Academy
@hpa101

281,724 followers

Tuned In Podcast 089: Need a Custom Part? This is How You Get It Made. Have you ever needed to get a part custom-made and been shocked at just how much it cost? In this episode of Tuned In, we sit down with Dan Melling from @kiwicnc to find out exactly what’s involved in making bespoke one-off parts — from the initial measurements to the 3D modelling, to the prototyping, and to the milling and finishing of the final product. Tap the link in our bio to listen 👈🏽 Once you’re done with this episode, you’re going to have a solid understanding of machining in the motorsport world, and maybe even pick up a few ways you can do some of the leg work yourself to save on the final bill. Growing up, all Dan wanted to be was an Air Force pilot, gaining his pilot's license while still in high school and then joining the New Zealand Air Force as soon as he could. While the pilot gig didn’t work out, Dan was still exposed to the world of #machining, quickly building up his knowledge and skills while still in uniform. Once it was time to venture out into the civilian world, Dan worked in the aeronautical industry designing and machining parts from scratch before eventually deciding to commit to starting his own business catering to high-end automotive machine work. Thus, #KiwiCNC was born. Over the following years, Dan crafted a business that produces some of the prettiest billet components produced anywhere in the world, covering everything from sumps to suspension parts, diff covers, and plenty of one-off custom work. In this episode, we get Dan to break down every aspect of his business and explain it thoroughly. This covers everything from the bare minimum amount of equipment to start a machine shop, the prototyping process, how #CNC machines actually work and what’s needed to run them, plus much more. We also cover #3Dmodelling and discuss whether #generativedesign is actually useful in the real world and not just the latest buzzword. Dan then lays down a great impromptu #3Dprinter buyer’s guide and some excellent lessons he’s learnt running a small business that caters to customers who are willing to spend big money for the products he’s able to produce.