Newby needs advice

[Mikka]

Hi, Im new and this is my first post. Im planning on buying a small CNC engraver with Mach3 software built in. I need this for engraving my logo onto rifle barrels. Is there much difficulty involved in getting this software to follow the contour of the round barrel while applying the logo. Im no expert in this area so any advice would be welcome.

[ger21]

You'll need another software package to generate the g-code for your engravings. Mach3 just reads the g-code, it can't create the code you need.

[Tweakie.CNC]

Mikka,

I have seen adverts on eBay for spring loaded, rotary engraving tools (to fit most engraving machines) that are designed for engraving on curved surfaces but they do have limitations to character height / surface curvature etc. A rotary axis is another possibility, quite easy to set up within Mach but the mechanical aspects of fitting one to the machine (length of barrel etc.) may need some thought.

Tweakie.

[Mikka]

Id feel a lot more comfortable with the perfect setup, I thought mach3 could do 3d stuff which
basically is what Im hoping to do.

[ger21]

Mach3 reads g-code and moves the machine according to what the g-code tells it to do. It has no problems doing what you want.

The issue here, is that Mach3 doesn't create the g-code.

You need a CAM program that can do engraving on a rotary axis, in addition to mach3.