Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: fortdick on December 27, 2015, 06:58:49 PM
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F engrave really is a great tool for doing simply inlays and engraving. And being free, I can afford to use it. Works outstanding with wood, but I am having some issues engraving aluminum.
I am trying to get some letters engraved, kind of like a serial number, with letters about .187 in. My problem is that my v bits are a little too wide an angle for this small a work. I am using .03 tip with a 90* angle. I can't seem to get to a useful depth and still have clean letters and numbers. Also, engraving it really cuts deep in wide lines, I am assuming because it is trying to cut the entire line in one pass with the v bit, so it has to go deep to get the proper width.
What size bit would someone suggest for small work? Is there any useful primer for a beginner on this software?
Thx
Dan
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Perhaps try an engraving point (bit) at about 30deg. angle for your serial numbers. You may have to use multi-pass at increasing depths (dependent on the total depth you need).
Tweakie.
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Thanks. 30 degrees it is.
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Also, engraving it really cuts deep in wide lines, I am assuming because it is trying to cut the entire line in one pass with the v bit, so it has to go deep to get the proper width.
Looks a though you might be using the V-Carve function ? ? ?
You should probably just use Engrave to your desired depth.
Not sure what you mean by "proper width" mentioned above. If V-Carving, 30 deg. will go much deeper than 90.
I could be way off ....... again. :)
Russ
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Tried both. The engrave seems to want to outline the letters and VCarve just cuts them, but I think that is a depth issue.
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What font are you using ?
A stick font would probably be best.
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tried Arial and Times
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Tried both. The engrave seems to want to outline the letters and VCarve just cuts them, but I think that is a depth issue.
I think you should be using a single line font. Sounds like you are using a boxed or open font engraving around the perimeter of the character.
Try it with the font that comes with F-Engrave .. normal.cxf
It is a single line font. Just set your depth, do not VCarve.
Tha'ts what I use along with a small center drill for the cutter, works a treat in aluminum.
Russ
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Here is an example of the differences ... and an article that you might find helpful.
http://blog.capinc.com/2011/07/solidworks-tech-tip-the-best-font-for-cam-part-2/
Cheers :)
Russ
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Thanks, that should help
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Yes, I learned something about fonts. I will give the normal a try using a dremel engraving bit and my v bits to see what happens
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Hi,
I just started my first try with fengrave...i am doing a cleanup pass after and for some reason is does not line up properly with the first v cut pass
it looks almost like it needs to offset more by the amount radius of the bit
i overlaid the cleanup pass in magenta on top of the vcarve for reference to see what i mean.
I cut my first vcarve pass, loaded the clean up pass leaving my x and y origin untouch and simply rezeroed .
has anyone else experienced this?