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Main => Builders Discussions => Topic started by: Wendy on July 04, 2010, 02:27:39 AM
Hello CNC friends and cockpitbuilders,
Because engraving always took to much time, you have to do it letter per letter and adjust the Z-axis until the letter is nicely engraved. Because of this nightmare that is caused by panel irregularities, I decided to design a special nose.
And now finally my engraving nose is ready and I can show it to you. I've designed it myself but because I do not have a lathe I had a metal workshop made the complete engraving unit.
The principle is very simple, turning the copper wheel lets you move a metal canister up and down and by doing this the engraving depth can be set to a few hundred mm. The small black screw can block the setting. The Z-axis is floating free on the panel with a constant pressure of 350 gram and the white plastic nose follows the irregularities in the panel. All this ensures a constant engraving depth all over the panel.
The first tests completed according to plan. What a luxury, whole lines of text at once, and engraving was right from the first time. The plastic on the nose does not scratch the panel.
The weight of the current floating Z-axis on the panel is approximately 350 grams. The excess weight of the Kress was taken off with two feathers.
I've included a panel which formerly had a faulty engraving. Watch all text that is upright (newly engraved with the nose), so it's a bit of a mess but you may well see the difference between the old engraving (upside down) and the new engraving. This panel was a good test because the surface had large differences (greater than 0.2 mm).
Enjoy, Wendy
(https://www.cockpitbuilders.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.querit.eu%2FFS%2FEngraving%2FNose_Foto_1.jpg&hash=1443d115b70a6415b3761697d67473fc91c176e8)
(https://www.cockpitbuilders.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.querit.eu%2FFS%2FEngraving%2FNose_Foto_2.jpg&hash=4b4eeb43a6ccbc709462e4b7d21a27c71ab4c4bf)
(https://www.cockpitbuilders.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.querit.eu%2FFS%2FEngraving%2FNose_Foto_3.jpg&hash=a19cb57fa8f8a314d4f85d76d76f28763e0438ca)
(https://www.cockpitbuilders.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.querit.eu%2FFS%2FEngraving%2FNose_test.jpg&hash=1a30b409b1f43df4376761d05925f8cf426741b1)
Hi Wendy
Good to have news from U.
Amaaaaaazing stuff!! (way over my head but so what!!)
Jack
That's a great idea Wendy - ingenious! I have experienced a few panels with inconsistant thickness but generally the material is uniform. I made a platform for my machine with a raised section I use for engraving. I mounted this platform then use a large endmill to deck it flat, this ensures it is true to the cutting head. When using this I have become confident my panels will engrave well and I can go and do other things while the CNC is working.
Don't forget I have a lathe if you need the odd part here and there!
Cheers Gwyn
Hi Gwyn,
I'll keep it in mind. Thanks Gwyn.
Regards, Wendy