Full Version: How would you do this?
From: Andrew [#3]
24 Mar 2007
To: gt350ed [#1] 24 Mar 2007
Hi Ed
For paint filling you need to use a rotating cutter (a carbide cutter with spindle on) - not a diamond.
(Depending on the metal. e.g. anodised aluminium you could use a diamond and use an oxidiser to blacken the engraving rather than deep engraving - paint filling looks much better though)
A depth of about 0.25mm (0.01" ) is generally sufficient for small characters requiring paint filling.
The tip size of your cutter depends on the height of the lettering you need to achieve and also the font used.
The number of passes will be affected by the metal you are engraving, and the capabilities of your engraver. On my machines I generally engrave brass / aluminium in two passes (the first pass doing the majority of the cut and the second cutting a little more / 'cleaning up). I can get away with a single pass with these machine. I have been using 3 passes on hard metals like stainless steel. I have a lightweight machine that needs many passes which I tend not to use for anything nowadays other than diamond work. Not familiar with your engraver to advise.
Do you need a nose cone:
- Is the surface of the item you will be engraving perfectly flat?
- Is your engraving bed perfectly level (not an issue for small badges usually)?
- Can your machine engrave without a nose cone (e.g. can you stop the engraving head 'floating' by locking it), and can the software control the depth of cut?
If yes to all of these then you can engrave without a nose cone. If any of these is a no then you will have big problems getting a consistent depth of cut and the nose cone is needed.
To minimise scratching use a vacuum to remove all the chips, and make sure your nose cone is smooth. You can also mask the surface of the metal to stop any scratching. I use a little bit of vinyl whenever using a nosecone with polished metals. Masking tape may work as well. I have always used a thin vinyl as it tends not to clog and stick to the cutter.
Use the engraving fonts supplied - a single line font would be suitable based on the images you posted e.g. a single line helvetica. Are you using engravelab? If so look through the line fonts.
There are some recent posts on the actual paint filling and David had some excellent images on the technique. I never mask when paint filling - always wipe on, wipe off with a 'squeegie', allow to try for 10 / 15 mins and then clean the surface with some thinners.
just my brain dump!
Andrew
EDITED: 24 Mar 2007 by ANDREW
From: logojohn [#4]
25 Mar 2007
To: gt350ed [#1] 26 Mar 2007
The deep engraving with color fill does look better but most customers don't see that much difference and don't want to pay for the extra work.
We just don't have the time to lubricate, worry about dulling cutters quickly, clean up, color filling, more cleanup, drying time etc. for a simple badge.
Most customers want next day service. We each run multiple pieces of equipment so a few extra minutes for one badge is a big deal for us.
To keep the cost, time required and aggravation level low we do not offer color filling on these.
We just diamond drag with a non rotating cutter and oxidize to black. If you use a 3 line helvetica the letters are so small you will not see the space between strokes, just a solid black letter.
You can even use a 6 line helvetica for an even bolder letter.
From: gt350ed [#5]
26 Mar 2007
To: logojohn [#4] 27 Mar 2007
From: gt350ed [#6]
26 Mar 2007
To: John (ICTJOHN) [#2] 26 Mar 2007
From: gt350ed [#7]
26 Mar 2007
To: Andrew [#3] Unread