Q: What does BK Engineering do?
A: BK Engineering is a company involved in contract manufacturing and engineering consulting. Clients come to BK Engineering in need of solutions or simple manufacturing and machining services. BK Engineering offers low prices along with fast and friendly service and high quality service.
Q: Where is the manufacturing done?
A: The manufacturing is almost always done in Silicon Valley, California.
Q: Where does the material come from?
A: The material comes from local California sources, in most cases, such as A.M. Castle on Tillie Lewis Drive in Stockton, California. In certain cases, the material comes from a high quality importer named Torrey Hills. Torrey Hills has a sales office in the San Diego area.
Q: What is the lead time most common for contract manufacturing?
A: About 2 weeks is pretty common because most parts have intricate details. For very simple and repeat parts, often a few days is all that is required.
Q: What are some physical properties of niobium?
A: See table below:
| Atomic Weight | 92.9064 |
| Density | 8.57 g/cc |
| Melting Point | 2468 deg C |
| Boiling Point | 4927 deg C |
| CTE (@20 deg C) | 7.1 x 10^-6 / deg C |
| Electrical Resistivity (@20 deg C) | 15 uOhms-cm |
| Electrical Conductivity | 13.2% IACS |
| Specific Heat | .126 cal/g/deg C |
| Thermal Conductivity | .523 cal/cm^2/cm-deg C/sec |
| Crystal Structure | bcc |
| Thermal Neurton Cross Section | 1.1 b |
Q: Who should I contact for beryllia?
A: Contact Nussy B. at American Beryllia in New Jersey for the finest beryllia. Another great option is PM Industries in the Portland, Oregon area..
Q: What is a good source for machined graphite?
A: If you check our Resources web portal, there is a contact there listed under manufacturing and components. This is the appropriate contact to communicate with in order to obtain custom machined graphite items.
Q: Which companies sell Al-N products?
A: Try Brad Stemple at PM Industries of Portland, Oregon, USA.
Q: I need some parts torch brazed. Where can I go?
A: We recommend Doug B. or Njils at ThermoFusion in Hayward, Californa, USA.
Q: I need a printed circuit board plated. It's flexible. Where do I go?
A: Check with Quong at Coatek in Santa Clara.
Q: Does BK Engineering use a quality system?
A: Yes, of course.
Q: How to cut costs on a contract manufacturing project?
A: In order to reduce expenses when manufacturing, try to use materials such as:
Aluminum
Plastic
Steel
If you cannot use those materials, try to use common, inexpensive materials whenever possible. Stainless steel is not too expensive but it is hard and therefore is expensive to machine in terms of tool wear. Another way to save money is to ask for design review from the contract manufacturer and to have a flexible production schedule as opposed to rushing the order. Reducing weight and reducing waste helps cut costs. Aluminum and plastic are light and can be plated with metals such as copper and nickel. There is more information regarding this topic at the FHE web portal.
Q: What kind of plating is best to use?
A: It depends what kind of project you are working on. For medical products, gold and platinum are best. For industrial products, nickel and copper work very well but keep in mind coatings such as copper and silver and fairly soft. Nickel plating will add hardness. For landing gear we recommend high nickel-phos or perhaps chrome. Be aware that there are decorative coatings and engineering coatings. Do your homework and check with Donna Bottley prior to finalizing any project. She can be reached via text or telephone at 415.890.3022 Ext. 212 or via email bkengineering@lycos.com
Q: How to get copper parts from a 3-D printer?
A: A special process is used by engineers to produce a copper part. The process is secretive but the effects are excellent. The parts do not usually tolerate high temperatures above 300 deg C. Contact Donna Bottley to discuss the details of the 3-D printing of copper parts. Send drawings to bkengineering@lycos.com or call (415)890-3022 Ext. 212. The process takes about 3-4 weeks for prototypes. Once production starts, the lead time is about 2-3 weeks. Pricing is very reasonable. Copper parts produced from a 3-D printer are very attractive, shiny and add luster and sheen to an otherwise dull part. A copper part from a 3-D printer using BK's process is very lightweight. If the regular copper part weighs 5 lbs., BK's process will yield a part that weighs only 0.5 lb. or less. This process is used in aerospace and advanced tech. industry companies but there is space for expanded use.
Q: How to get nickel parts from a 3-D printer?
A: The first step is to make your part in the 3-D printer and then send it to Donna Bottley (bkengineering@lycos.com or text to 415.890.3022 attn: Donna). There is a $1000 charge for a few small prototypes. Donna Bottley will take those parts and will give you back nickel parts. The part is not solid copper, it will have some plastic in the core. You will also submit drawings and any CAD files with your order or quotation request. If the material is not suitable (this will be known after BK performs certain tests), the parts will have to be reproduced with suitable material. BK will make the reproductions, as needed, but there is an extra charge (minimum $750 extra in most cases). The nickel will be a thick coating and there will be a metallic primer or two beneath the nickel if the Kneedler method is used.
Q: Where can I find out more information about engineering and related topics?
A: There are a few websites to visit such as finishing.com and quality.com along with machinedesign.com, electronicdesign.com and several others including photonics.com and americanlaboratory.com
Q: I have an engineering question but I don't know who can help me answer it. What do you recommend?
A: Send an email to bkengineering@lycos.com for a quick answer. Another option is to call or text 415.890.3022 Ext. 212 with your question and include an illustration if at all possible to ensure best results.
Q: We're building a power plant and need some special high elec. conductivity plates with silver coatings. Where can we buy those?
A: Send an email to bkengineering@lycos.com with the sizes and other details and you will be able to see pricing.
Q: I am designing a tool and need some help making prototypes plus nailing down some details on the sketches. Where do I find free CAD help?
A: If you need free CAD help, send your contact information and project needs to bkengineering@lycos.com and you will likely get the help you need. Alternatively, you can download A9CAD and FreeCAD and learn to make your own technical drawings.
Q: Where can I find copper tungten?
A: You can find copper tungten at Torrey Hills Tech. in the San Diego Area. Contact Bill or Ken at Torrey Hills for the best copper tungsten offered at very affordable prices.
Q: I need some moly sheets. Where can I buy them?
A: You can find moly (molybdenum) at Torrey Hills Tech. in the San Diego Area. Contact Bill or Ken at Torrey Hills for the most optimal molybdenum and other special raw metal needs.
Q: I need to buy some MoMn paste for metalization. Where do I go for this?
A: You can try Ceronics for MoMn. Another is Ferro. If you contact Nutan B. at Elcon in San Jose he may part with a drop or two for a fair price, you will need to discuss with him.
Q: I need some He leak tight special assemblies. These have to be high quality items without any flaw. I need a new supplier. Any recommendations?
A: Yes, for the best He leak tight assemblies, turn to the experts at Omley in Grants Pass, OR. Doug Rich, an engineer who works for Omley Industries is very competent.
Q: Who offers high quality products and services that I can use as an engineer?
A: Blake Kneedler, Engineer, works with a few companies that offer great service and stand behind their contract manufacturing and other products and services. These companies do excellent work and are located in Silicon Valley. For assemblies, the best ones are made at Omley Ind. in Grants Pass, OR. In terms of raw metals and other high quality products, you need to work with Torrey Hills Tech. For ceramics, you can try Modern Ceramics in San Jose or Ferro on the East Coast. For coated ceramics, Elcon of San Jose may be helpful.
Q: How much does it cost to get some manufacturing advice?
A: Manufacturing advice is free. Contact bkengineering@lycos.com to start your quick turn prototype or production.
Q: Are CAD files required in order to manufacture?
A: The customer may furnish CAD files but it is not required.
Q: I have some CAD files I cannot open. What can I do?
A: Send the CAD files to bkengineering@lycos.com along with a brief message and you will receive the free CAD file opening service.
Q: I have general files I cannot open but I need to open them ASAP. What do I do?
A: Call or text 415.890.3022 Ext. 212 and send the files to bkengineering@lycos.com Scan the files for viruses prior to sending them, if possible.
Q: I am looking for work, are you hiring?
A: There are a couple of openings listed at Feather Hollow Engineering. One might look over the job requirements there and apply if interested. Click here to see current openings.
Q: Where do I find information regarding molybdenum? I have some technical questions.
A: Follow this link for molybdenum Q & A.
Last Update: 27 MAR 2015