Performance Boutique N54 Billet Valve Cover

ccbsecu

Corporal
Nov 26, 2017
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Reaper0995

Specialist
Jan 10, 2017
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Are you using a VM3 to do the machining? do you have any VF machines? Curious if you can notice a difference in surface finishes between the two. I wish they would put that bed on the normal VF machine at least!

Also, did you thread mill the angled thread in the same setup? Or do you do a third load on the part?

One last question, are those reverse clamping vises, or locked down double vises? I've ought about getting some of the reverse clamping vises to make it easier to swap programs between our verticals and horizontals, since the y axis orientation to the solid jaw is reversed.


I'm impressed you got this made in two or three setups! I had looked into this before and wanted an additional operation to aid in clamping, but it looks like you managed a lot of material removal without needing the additional clamping.
 

The Convert

Captain
Jun 4, 2017
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I'm impressed you got this made in two or three setups! I had looked into this before and wanted an additional operation to aid in clamping, but it looks like you managed a lot of material removal without needing the additional clamping.
I would think that it would be an easy two setup process, unless they're doing any machining on the back or front of the VC. If you mill the entire top side first, then flip and soft jaw on the cam covers' flat faces you could get everything on the underside in the second op.
 

Reaper0995

Specialist
Jan 10, 2017
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I would think that it would be an easy two setup process, unless they're doing any machining on the back or front of the VC. If you mill the entire top side first, then flip and soft jaw on the cam covers' flat faces you could get everything on the underside in the second op.

In theory yes it is like that, but often longer "hollow" parts are poorly supported in the middle which leads to very poor material removal rates and chattering finishes. If there were more webs going across the middle I'd definitely think top bottom would be all the thats needed, but I'm just surprised that it didn't need it.

What do you do for work? Sounds like you know the verbiage as well haha.
 

The Convert

Captain
Jun 4, 2017
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In theory yes it is like that, but often longer "hollow" parts are poorly supported in the middle which leads to very poor material removal rates and chattering finishes. If there were more webs going across the middle I'd definitely think top bottom would be all the thats needed, but I'm just surprised that it didn't need it.

What do you do for work? Sounds like you know the verbiage as well haha.

You could leave the majority of the middle to be hogged out at the end of the underside operation...probably.

I am a laser processing manufacturing engineer. I do process development for a number of different laser machining types, but am familiar enough with conventional machining processes to be dangerous. Never done them professionally, but worked closely with those engineers, techs, and operators on projects to get the "basics" of it. mfg is a good time. Always nice to make something with your own two hands, so to speak.
 

The Convert

Captain
Jun 4, 2017
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I hear you though on the cycle times. Designing a process to maximize speeds while minimizing tool load versus the time and cost of multiple ops and tooling are beyond my off the cuff capabilities in conventional processes. That is the kind of stuff I enjoy doing in the laser world though.
 

The Convert

Captain
Jun 4, 2017
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Will the injector hard lines fit without any modifications?
I would say they'll just sit higher above the VC now that all of the pcv junk is gone. That's basically the only external difference between this VC and stock.
 
Nov 5, 2016
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Bay Area
waiting for Tonys response on why this product sucks...
Well if you could show one spot where I said it sucks, that would lead you to believe I would think it sucks. My first post was about the stupid cover they had in the drawing that wouldn't allow you to run uneeded things like injectors, and coils. Who needs those? The next was, it took 6 months to go from a completed drawing to one process on the machine. So yes the time line sucks, as for the product its a valve cover, looks fine.
 

doublespaces

Administrator
Oct 18, 2016
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2009 E93 335i
Would be pretty cool if there was a way to hide those fuel lines, not sure how that could be done though.
 
We just recieved the finished product from the CNC shop and fitment is spot on. The valve cover weighs in just under 10lbs. Im heading to the shop tonight to get the valve cover fitted on our shop car and start testing this week once we recieve the rest of the fittings for the breather system. I wanna thank everyone for being super patient with us, as this year has been busy. I will be releasing the pricing before the new year. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for more updates @performanceboutique. I can’t wait to see where this platform goes in 2018. Have a Happy New Year Spoolstreet