Machined Pinball Machine
Fabrication Engineering | CNC Machining | CAD for Manufacturing
I fabricated an entire pinball machine from engineering drawings, translating 2D technical plans into a fully assembled, multi-material physical system. While the design was externally sourced, I led the complete CAD reconstruction, fabrication planning, and machining workflow, employing a range of manufacturing techniques across metals, plastics, and wood.
Fabrication Workflow
CAD to CAM: Modeled all parts in CAD based on technical drawings, preparing tool paths and fabrication files for machining
Metal Frame:
• Waterjet Cut: Aluminum base and sidewalls
• Bandsaw + Sheet Metal Brake: Stand manually cut, bent, and later sandblasted for finish
• Seal Casting: Custom silicone seal cast and adhered to the stand for vibration damping
Top/Bottom Panels:
• Laser-Cut Acrylic (protective cover) and wood (structural backing)
Mechanical Components:
• CNC Lathe: Fabricated a custom knurled knob with internal threads
• CNC Mill: Produced flippers, bumpers, and ball-return channels
Assembly: Full mechanical integration including test fitting, tolerance checks, and iterative sanding for alignment