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CNC engraving

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83K10 View Drop Down
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    Posted: 22 June 2016 at 5:39am
We've added CNC engraving capabilities to our shop's CNC plasma table. We're able to do thing like this business card holder with it. We can do up to a 4x8 sheet. We can work off a picture or drawing. Anything that can be converted to a vector image or DXF file.


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote broncomike Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 June 2016 at 8:06am
How long is your lathe ?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 83K10 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 June 2016 at 2:20pm
It's 74" from the register in the chuck to the end of the bed. A longer piece can pass through the center hole the spindle. It will swing a full width ford 9" housing.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 98TJ Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 June 2016 at 10:37am
How accurate does it cut?

For example, you had a .dwg file showing a 18" x 18" x 1/8" aluminum plate with twelve 1/2" x 1" rectangular holes, what would be the variance on the hole dimensions?    +/- 1/32"?      +/- 1/64"?
1998 TJ 4.0 5spd Atlas 36" Swampers RE4.5 ARB's 44/44
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 83K10 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 June 2016 at 6:24am
It varies a bit depending in the material. When I have measured with calipers in 1/8" steel the variance between holes is usually less than 0.010". As far as overall tolerance 0.030" isn't usually hard to achieve. Some of it depends on the part shapes. I have to have a dxf file to use for cutting. The engraving is much tighter. The machine itself is repeatable to 0.001" but your cutting with a plasma flame.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 98TJ Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 June 2016 at 7:11am
OK, I use Delta Cad and it will save to .DWG, .DXF, and .DXB files.

I need to make a switch panel for our cabin. I temporarily have all our light switches mounted on an 18" x 18" piece of 3/32" luan. I'm using standard spst wall switches. I think there is about 10 switches and a couple of plugs on it. Each switch hole has two mounting screw holes (about 3/32" dia).

I would like to replace that temporary luan with a permanent piece of 1/8" aluminum.
1998 TJ 4.0 5spd Atlas 36" Swampers RE4.5 ARB's 44/44
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 83K10 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 June 2016 at 11:09am
For the switch panel, would you want engraved labels? If you do, when you draw it up please put them on a separate layer. If you aren't able to, I can do it for you. It's just faster and easier to do it as the drawing is being created.

I stock 1/8" aluminum sheet. An 18" x 18" piece is about $18 with tax. Trying to cut a 3/32" hole in aluminum with the plasma isn't going to work out very well. The kerf width cutting that material is about 0.060". A good solution is to let the scribe center punch the layout then drill them. I did this with a plate the other day that had 89 holes. It worked out great. I also stock 0.063", 0.090", and 3/16" Aluminum if you decide you want a different thickness.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 98TJ Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 June 2016 at 2:45pm
No labels, I can't think that far ahead That scribe thing should work fine. I will get back with you when I figure out exactly what I need.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 98TJ Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 July 2016 at 4:15am
How thick can your set up cut (mild steel)? 3/4"?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 83K10 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 July 2016 at 4:30pm
Our machine is rated to cut 1.5" mild steel. The thickest I have cut with it is 1".

Edited by 83K10 - 19 July 2016 at 4:48pm
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 98TJ Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 July 2016 at 11:55pm
Thanks. I may need two custom d-ring bumper tabs for a jk poison syder bumper that can be used for flat towing.
1998 TJ 4.0 5spd Atlas 36" Swampers RE4.5 ARB's 44/44
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 83K10 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 July 2016 at 3:01am
Here's some 1" we cut yesterday for a customer. The start and stop points aren't as nice as what's shown. They usually require a bit of touching up with plate this thick.  Edge cut quality is pretty nice and smooth.




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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 98TJ Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 July 2016 at 6:51am
That is thick!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 98TJ Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 August 2016 at 12:27pm
some cool stuf

https://weldtables.com/
1998 TJ 4.0 5spd Atlas 36" Swampers RE4.5 ARB's 44/44
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 83K10 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 August 2016 at 5:01pm
We have a buildpro at the shop. It's awesome for jigging up stuff. It takes drop in tooling so there's no threading or bolting stuff from the bottom of the table. We made 40 of these sides for benches this week on it, for a total of 20 complete benches. I got busy trying to get them finished and forgot to take any more pictures. They are going in the Earth and Stone Pizza place on Clinton Ave.




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