Hey folks,
I hope I've got the right forum for this topic.
So here's a bit of a long one.
I'm looking into getting a small CNC router to engrave namely:
1) Stainless steel (0.3-2mm thick)
2) Aluminum (0.3-2mm thick)
3) ABS plastics (2mm thick)
They're all flat surfaces, so no 3D sort of things. I've never used a CNC router or the Mach3 system. So let's just say I have completely ZERO knowledge.
I'm just trying to understand what equipment I need to just engrave these materials rather than cut shapes. Or if there's anything I'm missing that I haven't covered
The plan is to make pet ID tags engraving, so any help would be much appreciated.
This is the specific CNC router I'll be getting (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/3020T-3-AXIS-CNC-ROUTER-ENGRA ), of which I've communicated with the seller to enquire if it's possible and they've said yes to all materials I'm look at engraving, I just need to get the right cutter bit and clamp.VER-ENGRAVING-MACHINE-ARTS-3 0X20CM-DESKTOP-POPULAR-/1818 36930151?hash=item2a56535c67
Funny enough they don't sell either.
The engraving depth I'll be doing is about 0.1-0.3mm at most.
So here's my checklist for me to get started:
1) CNC router (parallel cable included)
2) Mach3 Software
3) Desktop computer with parallel port access
4) Lots of cutters of the same size, the material is carbide tungsten coated with titanium (I'm prepared to break them), the ones I've decided on are these (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/5pcs-3-175x1x7mm-Titanium-Coa )ted-PCB-CNC-Endmill-Cutter-M icro-Router-Drill-Bits-/3017 04047971?hash=item463ef66d63
5) Clamps (however I have no idea where to get them and what size) help please?
Basically if I can, I would like to keep the entire cost under $2000, and I do have to buy a desktop running Windows XP or 2000, as I've got a laptop. I should be able to get it for under $300.
Just as a guide, the current pet tag ID size that I've got are as follows
15x45mm
20x45mm
25x55mm
30x55mm
All of 430 Stainless steel, with 0.5mm thickness.
Any help or pointers would be much appreciated!
Thank you folks for helping a girl out!
Cheers,
Ashley