Our press release is up regarding Free Part Day on August 6, 2008.

Some details:

• We will have two stock materials/thicknesses available for making your part on Free Part Day: waterjet cut aluminum 6061 1/8 (0.125) inches thick and laser cut clear acrylic plastic, 0.118 inches thick.
• There is a limit of one design (DXF/PNG/GIF or Big Blue Saw Designer file) per customer.
• Designs are limited in size to 9" x 9".
• We reserve the right to reject designs that are too complex or can't be made on the waterjet or the laser. Roughly speaking, parts that will normally cost over about $8 each in quantity 1000 when ordered through the online quoting system are not eligible.
• You must pay the packaging and shipping costs.
• All orders must be completed through the online ordering process.
• Orders must be completed, including payment, on August 6, 2008.
• We reserve the right to refuse any free part day order.
• Keep in mind that the purpose of Free Part Day is to provide people with an introduction to Big Blue Saw's service. Please don't abuse this by attempting to go against the spirit in which this offer is made.

Start designing your parts now!

Updated 2008-07-23 with final material selection.

Updated 2008-07-28 with further clarifications on part complexity and terms.

Comments

Add New Search

Dave Schleede   |2008-07-24 17:59:37 I am extremely interested in your free part day and would like to know when I can upload my part to take advantage of this offer. Do I need to wait until the 6th to upload or can I send my dxf file at any time? Reply | Quote

Jawa Lunk  - The Wall-E Builder's Group   |2008-07-24 18:03:18 This is probably the coolest thing I've heard of! There are so many ideas...especially since we are designing something that has never been built before! Where do we send our designs? I have the perfect part for the wall-e builder's group I want made! Reply | Quote

Big Blue Saw Administrator   |2008-07-24 18:15:12 Dave Schleede: the Free Part Day offer is only good for orders placed on August 6. We do encourage everyone to get started on their designs as early as possible, and to become familiar with our online ordering system in order to make sure that things go as smoothly as possible on Free Part Day. Reply | Quote

Big Blue Saw Administrator   |2008-07-24 18:17:28 Jawa Lunk: You can upload DXF/PNG/GIF designs to the estimator page or design your part using Big Blue Saw Designer Reply | Quote

Jeff   |2008-07-24 19:25:49 Question, Can we make as many parts as we can fit on a 9" by 9" sheet or is the excess material forfeit if our one part does not utilize all of it? Reply | Quote

Big Blue Saw Administrator   |2008-07-24 19:59:32 Jeff: yes, your design can include more than one separate piece and still qualify for the Free Part Day discount. Reply | Quote

Jonathan   |2008-07-26 00:06:02 If I want two identical parts that would fit into a 9x9 space, should I make a file with two copies of the item, or just order two of the item on free parts day? Reply | Quote

Dave  - Electrical Engineer   |2008-07-24 20:35:51 Would a modular trebuchet consisting of multiple parts (all fitting in the 9"x9" footprint) be acceptable or would it fall into the too complicated category? Reply | Quote

Big Blue Saw Administrator   |2008-07-24 20:47:20 Dave: I'm guessing it would be OK, but it's hard to say without seeing the design. The main purpose of the rule was to make sure nobody made a 9x9 square of tight zig-zags, tiny holes, etc. Reply | Quote

Andrew   |2008-07-25 00:46:31 Thanks for this amazing freebie, I just have a few questions first... Can either machine cut to variable depths? I.E. not all the way through the part? Is there some sort of set in stone cutoff for "too complex" that we can be forewarned of? Is there any way to check ahead of time? Thanks again, I'm sure I'll have quite a few more before the big day. --Andrew Reply | Quote

Big Blue Saw Administrator   |2008-07-28 17:56:28 Andrew: we can do etching. E-mail info@bigbluesaw.com if you want to have a piece cut part-way through. Note that etched pieces are not eligible for Free Part Day. A good rule of thumb to shoot for is if your part would cost above $8 each in quantity 1000, it's too much for us to deal with for Free Part Day. We'll try to come up with a firm limit for everyone. [Edited 2008-07-28 with updated price. The main article now shows this new price.] Reply | Quote

Luke   |2008-07-25 01:21:05 How much is shipping and packageing Reply | Quote

Big Blue Saw Administrator   |2008-07-25 01:51:53 You can determine the shipping and packaging cost by getting a quote on your part using the online quoting system. That's one of the reasons we suggest getting an early start with your design and with our online quoting system. Reply | Quote

Kevin Greer  - I hate to be that "guy"   |2008-07-25 03:51:49 I really don't want to be "the guy" that asks what about this and that, but here goes: what about a ring? Specifically a Green Lantern ring. Like this: http://www.instructables.com/files/deriv/FMB/ZF... Reply | Quote

Kevin Greer   |2008-07-25 04:02:22 lol, wow I really did read the updated details. Reply | Quote

Big Blue Saw Administrator   |2008-07-25 12:36:26 I believe that our FAQ on part types has the answer you're looking for. Reply | Quote

Andrew   |2008-07-25 04:04:00 what is the smallest size hole you can have in a part cut with a water jet? and what are the tolerances of the cut parts? Reply | Quote

Big Blue Saw Administrator   |2008-07-25 12:34:46 The smallest reasonable hole is about 0.1 inches in diamater. For information about tolerances, kerf, etc., please read the FAQ on part quality. Reply | Quote

jef   |2008-07-25 09:15:17 Your offer seems very interesting! However, I am based in Belgium, but I see that you already ship overseas (UK). Does Big Blue Saw have any plan to ship anywhere else in Europe? Will that be available before the Aug 6? Thanks! Reply | Quote

Big Blue Saw Administrator   |2008-07-26 17:04:09 Currently our online system offers shipping to the USA, the UK, and Canada. We can ship to other countries as a special order. Contact info@bigbluesaw.com for details. Orders shipped outside of the USA, UK, and Canada are not eligible for Free Part Day. Reply | Quote

Andy   |2008-07-25 12:42:18 Is the laser cut acrylic plastic clear? Reply | Quote

Big Blue Saw Administrator   |2008-07-25 12:51:40 Yes. The main text in this post has been updated to reflect this. Reply | Quote

Blake  - Aluminum, multiple parts from   |2008-07-25 19:02:45 If I would like to get multiple parts cut out of the 9x9 sheet of aluminum, do I have to link the parts together with little tabs like you see in the phone stand in the article on Make? http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2006/03/how_to... Or maybe a better question is the Free Part day offer only for a single part (something that has a single continuous outer perimeter)? Thanks! Reply | Quote

Big Blue Saw Administrator   |2008-07-25 19:11:00 This question is answered in the reply to Jeff above. Reply | Quote

Trenton Entwistle   |2008-07-25 20:09:43 Hi. I was checking out a GIF that I have that I would like to get made on Free Part Day, and saw that one of the letters isn't showing up... [... Edited by Administrator] Reply | Quote

Big Blue Saw Administrator   |2008-07-26 16:22:13 You might want to have a look at the FAQ section of the website. Further inquiries of this nature should be directed to info@bigbluesaw.com Reply | Quote

lance glover   |2008-07-25 23:42:58 if i wanted a text graphic (our logo, to be exact), with knock-out elements (like the center of the letter "o"), could you provide them as separate pieces? Reply | Quote

Big Blue Saw Administrator   |2008-07-26 16:14:33 You probably don't want the "drop" (hole area) from a cut part, as these usually incidental damage due to the nature of the cutting process. You can, however, make a separate piece that's the same size and shape as the drop. Reply | Quote

lance glover   |2008-08-01 00:00:25 well, it wouldn't necessarily be the 'drop' (like a doughnut hole); we're looking for the letterforms to be reversed-out of the sheet, thus the strokes would be cut away and the area around the letters would remain (we'd back this with another sheet of material); this would leave the center of the 'o' disconnected from the rest of the letters. in that case, you would be able to supply it as a separate part without having to cut it again, yes? Reply | Quote

Big Blue Saw Administrator   |2008-08-01 01:35:23 If I understand you correctly, you just want two parts: the outline of the letter, and the center of the letter. This is no problem at all. Reply | Quote

Anonymous   |2008-08-01 03:28:42 exactly! cool, and thanks so much for making this all happen- i've sent info about this to several colleagues. one other thought- above it is mentioned that 0.1" is the smallest "hole" that can be created- shall i assume that is the minimal stroke width for a reversed-out letter as well? Reply | Quote

Big Blue Saw Administrator   |2008-08-02 06:21:17 Thanks for spreading the word. You're right about the hole width. Under certain conditions, we can do smaller cuts as a special order. E-mail info@bigbluesaw.com if you want more details. Reply | Quote

lance glover   |2008-08-04 23:40:37 okay, i uploaded my file (PNG) to the estimator, but found it is a few dollars over the per unit cost for 1000 count. i'd make the overall piece smaller to bring the price down (which is what i'd prefer anyway), but this will make it so the letterstrokes are too thin for your cutter (0.10" is what i'm shooting for). so- any thoughts? Reply | Quote

Big Blue Saw Administrator   |2008-08-05 19:08:50 Try making the strokes thicker. Also, try your design on Free Part Day, and you'll see if it qualifies for the promotion. Reply | Quote

lance glover   |2008-08-05 22:01:34 we'll give it a shot. thanks. Reply | Quote

Andy  - when to submit and how?   |2008-07-26 03:59:46 If we have our image created, do we have to wait until the 6th to submit, or should we submitnow. And how do I submit my design? Reply | Quote

Big Blue Saw Administrator   |2008-07-26 16:18:36 To be eligible for Free Part Day, the order must be completed on August 6, 2008. You can get started by checking out the Big Blue Saw Designer page. Also be sure to read our Frequently Asked Questions section. Finally, have a peek at the first video and second video demonstrations. Reply | Quote

Chris   |2008-07-29 14:56:37 I test uploaded my part for the Free Part Day. The estimator figured 40 pieces. The 1000 piece price was $24.10 each. Is this over the limit or do I divide the piece price by the number of parts? Thank you. Reply | Quote

Big Blue Saw Administrator   |2008-07-29 15:03:16 That's too much. The price limit is per file. Reply | Quote

stark  - Part idea   |2008-07-30 02:02:13 would a 4.75" acrylic flat ring be possible? If you want I can send you a pic of what it would be used for. Reply | Quote

Big Blue Saw Administrator   |2008-07-30 11:43:25 I believe our FAQ on parts should answer your question. Reply | Quote

Mike Couey   |2008-07-30 02:06:30 I have designed a part to meet your specs but I used solidworks. I can create a gif file from it, but I need to know if you need it fully dimensioned, or how you will be able to determine scale. It is a rectangle with a few things inside it cut out, perhaps just overall dimensions and then you can scale everything else from there? Reply | Quote

Big Blue Saw Administrator   |2008-07-30 11:46:38 SolidWorks can export DXF files if you make a drawing. It cannot export DXF files directly from a part. Please see our FAQ on CAD files. If you choose to go the GIF route, please read our FAQ on raster files. Reply | Quote

Allen Willis  - online viewer   |2008-07-30 14:27:17 I have created a dxf file using auto cad that I would like to use for the free part day, but when I upload it the image does not look the same as the dxf. I have taken the kerf for the water jet into consideration in the design. All of the internal curved lines now appear as straight lines. Reply | Quote

Big Blue Saw Administrator   |2008-07-30 14:46:35 You might want to have a look at the FAQ section of the website, including the FAQ on kerf. Further inquiries of this nature should be directed to info@bigbluesaw.com Reply | Quote

Daniel Archibald  - Having trouble uploading a dxf   |2008-07-31 01:22:07 Hello, I am trying to upload a file of a dxf AutoCAD saved in R12 format and I get nothing but a spinning icon for a while then no file uploaded. Please advise if I am overlooking something. I am pleased to try your free cut day out and I hope the results are what our club is looking for in the future. Thanks for making this happen! Daniel Reply | Quote

Big Blue Saw Administrator   |2008-07-31 01:24:11 Again, inquiries about why your specific file is not working should be directed to info@bigbluesaw.com after consulting the FAQ section of the website. Please attach a copy of the file in question when you e-mail for help. Reply | Quote

TLA member   |2008-08-01 07:06:09 Hi there, I'm part of a world-wide group of tabletop, model war-gamers who specialize in Lord of the Rings. See our site. Your offer is highly interesting to us, seeing that many of us construct miniature things to scale. One of the requirements for our models and things that we create that we want attached to our bases is that the bottom slot be 1/16 or .0625 inches thick. See here for a picture of the bases. Is there any possible way that you could add another stock material that is 1/16 inches thick? Thanks from TLA Reply | Quote

Big Blue Saw Administrator   |2008-08-02 06:39:23 We offer 1/16" as a standard thickness for aluminum and several other materials in 0.06" thickness. Remember that the purpose of Free Part Day is to introduce people to our service. We have no plans to add new materials to the Free Part Day offer. Reply | Quote

Gavin Groce  - File Ready   |2008-08-03 00:02:20 I did up some brackets that I need in CadStd Lite and have to say it was very easy... and I am at the 7.99 Mark now... I'm Ready! Reply | Quote

loydmilligan  - pay the difference   |2008-08-04 21:33:39 Hello, I am interested in building a faceplate for a specific music interface device. With aluminum the 1000 unit price comes out to around $24, with the clear acrylic it comes out to $10.21. It looks like this is too complex, however I was wondering if instead of getting it free if I could get some type of discount instead as this is really the only item I want at this time. Thanks Reply | Quote

Big Blue Saw Administrator   |2008-08-04 22:48:49 We're pretty much set on the current course, which is to offer free parts and not a discount. Reply | Quote

Brian Roskamp  - .118" Acrylic   |2008-08-04 22:46:35 I've sent an email, but I was hoping that I might get a quicker response through the comments. I've uploaded a couple of dxf files that I was hoping to get made eventually, but very few of the designs had the .118" Acrylic as an option, I would get them made of aluminum (eventually they'll get painted metallic anyhow), but that takes it over the $8 limit. Thanks for you help. Reply | Quote

Big Blue Saw Administrator   |2008-08-04 22:49:47 I don't really understand what you're asking. Reply | Quote

Brian Roskamp   |2008-08-04 22:51:33 Sorry, I was wondering why the .118" Acrylic isnt an option for all of the designs (they're fairly similar) Reply | Quote

Big Blue Saw Administrator   |2008-08-04 22:56:17 It's probably a size limitation. We only handle laser cutting up to 8.5" x 8.5" or so. Reply | Quote

mark   |2008-08-05 19:59:33 Hi Great Idea ! is it possible to recive both the "cut plate" and the scrap that gets cut out .. Reply | Quote

Big Blue Saw Administrator   |2008-08-05 20:16:38 No, sorry. Those parts are usually lost in the manufacturing process. Reply | Quote

mark   |2008-08-05 20:32:37 ...so its just the cut plate that I would be getting my second question is what kind of turn around do you expect given the fact there will be a increased # of order's... thanks again and look forward to tommrow ! Reply | Quote

Big Blue Saw Administrator   |2008-08-05 20:39:35 Good question. It strongly depends upon the number of orders, but we currently expect to ship everything within a week. Reply | Quote

Write comment
Name:
Email:	do not notifynotify
Website:
Title:
UBBCode:	-color-aquablackbluefuchsiagraygreenlimemaroonnavyolivepurpleredsilvertealwhiteyellow -size-tinysmallmediumlargehuge
	Please enter the security code shown in the image.