Here are the results of the first front panel engraved with my newly-built DIY 3 axis CNC. I built the dual channel preamp in 2010 (circuit is Fender blackface -> direct coupled White Cathode Follower -> TX balanced line output), but the front panel remained unfinished until yesterday.
The spindle is a ridiculous Dremel-like 1.5A rotary tool that I picked up at Canadian Tire for $30 a few years ago, fastened to the machine with a wimpy improvised mount. The engraving cutter was a 1/8" shank 5/64" ball-end mill. The results were acceptable for letters down to 3mm in height (0.012") at 0.1 mm (0.004") depth of cut. The workpiece mounting bed is a 24" x 8" x 3/4" MIC-6 aluminum jig plate, aligned and flat to 0.001" over the work area. The workpiece was held to the bed using machinists double sided tape. On our first attempt to engrave the left half of the panel, either the part or the tool slipped, and we got non-uniform depth of cut. So we had to play some games re-engraving various controls to equalize the line widths. The right half of the panel engraved with much better line width uniformity. We continued engraving the right half of the panel beyond its optimal depth of cut in order to match the appearance of left half. In all, we were happy with the quality obtainable with the toy spindle and non-optimal cutting tool.
If there is sufficient interest, I could describe the CNC and how it was built from salvaged industrial components for less than 100 USD total cash outlay. I know Doug and a few more of you are into CNC machines. I assume this would be most appropriately posted in "Your other hobbies"?
Jon
Topic: First front panel made with my DIY CNC engraving machine (Read 3218 times)