Full Version: Question regarding equipment options

From: otto (JWAGNER) [#41]
 26 Mar 2006
To: Rodney Gold (RODNEY_GOLD) [#17] 26 Mar 2006

We have been using a CNC Router for some 3 years now, and wanted to add an engraver (rotary) that will run cosiderably faster than the 120IPM we run on our CNC. I have been looking at your discussions in this thread, and come wiht away wiht some questions. One of the things we will do a lot of is "engraving" hotel room numbers both in raster Braille (yes we have a license) and by cutting out of Rowmark. One reason we don't do it with our current CNC machine is that the we would have to tool path each set of numbers and then open each separate room number file with the CNC machine program. We are impressed with the way our trade shop does it on a Xenetch engraver. they set up the file in Corel, then just "print" to the engraver. Change one digit. place the next piece and bingo. In shopping for an engraver, I find what you, Rodney, found. They seem expensive for what you get (when I compare it to our CNC machine). I was interested in what you had to say about running Isels as engravers. Could I use one of those and get the simplicity of doing my numbers as I have described above? Will Engavelab actually run the Isel, or does it merely generate a G-code or HPGL file that then has to be loaded into the software that runs the Isel? How do I get that "direct" link while having my choice of non-"engrave" branded machines?

From: Rodney Gold (RODNEY_GOLD) [#42]
 26 Mar 2006
To: otto (JWAGNER) [#41] 27 Mar 2006

Yeh , that is a problem with a large format router , fine engraving , cos the inertia of the system does not allow speedy small character engraving. The Isels were ideal in that they were sort of dual purpose , light routing , heavy engraving. Mine are all old machines(which still work well) using steppers and C - series controller boxes that only interpolate in 2 axes. I wrote my own Postprocessor for these which we use (plot to hpgl and then translate the hpgl) considering we use ACAD most of the times with these (when we got em in the mid 80's there were no fancy engraving packages)
I can run them directly off signlab or use the PP , depends on the application and the source file and whether we want to attach our signlab machine to em (We use a laptop for that)
We generally load a large sheet and engrave and cut in the same run with these , but using signlab/profileab/engravelab will do as you want , load the material and send the file without running it thru a PP. Engravelab is way more potent than the PP I wrote tho
We run real cheap Xts to control the engravers and have a bank of them each with its own el cheapo host puter and these are not networked (not even sure thay could be - run DOS) , so do find it somewhat easier to use the PP to translate the file and just use a stiffy to put the translated file on the machine and send.
I wouldnt particularily suggest the stepper motor and 2 axis card option on these machines and would have a look at the more modern offerings from techno isel. Having said that , we picked up our last machine , a 500 x 500 mm for around $1500 or so , 2nd hand.
We dont use floating heads with ours , we use a fixed spindle so we level the sacrificial bed now and then. We could fit a floating spindle if we wish. These are more industrial type machines rather than gift and general engravers and with the Kress 900w spindle we can go thru 3mm ally in 2-3 passes , 1.5 mm engravers brass and 3mm acrylic in a single pass. Ours are real workhorses , the first one which is well over 20 yrs old and has been really used a lot is still working just fine having only needed the occasional adjustment. Probably the result of german engineering.

From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#43]
 27 Mar 2006
To: otto (JWAGNER) [#41] 27 Mar 2006

120IPM is 2 IPS. Not bad for an engraver. With medium bits and a thick cap material, that is a bit fast for an engraver. On lighter things it is the max that a Gravograph NH will run.

Software is a completely different issue, and so if tightness of motion on fine engraving. I have done .050 lines at times, (I hate that), with perfect clarity on the IS400.

When the line height is smaller than your largest bit, you know you are engraving a book on a pinhead.

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