Posted on 08/31/2007 6:35:39 PM PDT by RS_Rider
Hoping that a Freeper out there might be able to enlighten me on the topic of Mil Specs pertaining to fabrication of sheet metal and plastic parts for a U S Army prototype project. This project landed on my lap today and I looked at a set of prints for parts that have been requested for quote on fabrication. I contacted a quality fabricator that I know and as soon as they saw Mil Spec, they backed away from the work.
Thanks,
RS
Set it on the desk, raise your hands, and slowly back away. Run.
Reminds me of something a shuttle astronaut was quoted as saying, when asked what he was thinking about during countdown and lift-off: "That this thing was made by the lowest bidder."
Actually, Mil-Specs require closer tolerances, that’s all. Oh, and more compliance with the laws, and safety, and ergo, and envoro, and...
If you are dead serious about going for it start searching the MIL STDs (Military Standards) on the internet. You’ll find them but you’ll need help there are a lot.
Why are you going public on a military project?
An organization that provides assistance in the manufacturing sector is helping me find contract design work. They called me as asked if I was interested in working with one of their clients on building a prototype. Sure, I said. Then I get drawing to review that are from the Army.
Yes, because the specificity of his post is definitely across the line. For all we know he is building porta potties for the military...
Thanks, that’s a start.
You should be able to order the appropriate Mil-Specs from the government. If the product must meet Mil-Specs, they will tell you the Specs which are of concern. No big deal really. A good engineer or designer can follow them pretty easily.
They even have Mil-Specs for pancakes. Thousands of Mil-Specs on just about anything you can think of. The drawings should list the Specs that the part must meet. I’ve dealt with these Specs most of my career........no big deal to me.
...start searching the MIL STDs...
Just watch the line outside the infirmary on Tuesday morning...
First are there any electronics or electrical components in this item?
What type of sheet metal (steel, galv steel, stainless, copper, alum)?
Are the plastic parts integral to the operation or for example supports for something inside?
Lastly was this a design FROM the Army or did some other entity design it and sell it to someone for development?
If it has ANYTHING to do with "landwarrior" I hope the price was factored by 10x and you might seriously consider turning it down.
That's exactly what I mean. You don't deserve to work for the Army if you're giving away specs on a project.
Thanks, that’s encouraging. Freepers are always the best source of info.
RS
Oftentimes commercial grade stuff meets milspecs, like fuel for example.
I don’t know the specifics of the milspec, on the item you are putting out for bid, but if your potential contractors can’t meet all the requirements, it is possible to have some of them waivered.
Much more recently, (now as a retailer) I've been confronted with forms from government purchasers called "Representations, Certifications & Acknowledgments", in those I've seen what I consider to be rather deeply personal inquiry's into my business. My race, my sex, an approximation of the foreign manufacture of a very fluid inventory that I handle because thats what the customer demands.
Hey whatever, I guess that's just business these days.
I need customers, they need forms filled out, have a nice day!
I haven’t been stuck with it yet, can simply decline.
No electronics involved,
Aluminum sheet metal.
Plastics appear to be viewing window.
Design appears to be from Army.
RS
It's my training at the Farm...can't help it.
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