[micropowergen]

Hi, need some expert help on engraving traffolyte!
We have a small desk top cnc router, gantry type. We are running Mach3, CAMBAM, and design in AutoCad.
The main use for the CNC is to produce Traffolyte front labels for control panels.
Everything works well except we seem to have pretty bad results when it comes text.
The size of text that we are trying to use are 5-6mm. I have tried micro end mills, v-cutters, i have tried different free stick fonts types, i have tried Stickfont v1.1, CamBam fonts, I am aware that most fonts availible are not single line. I am also considering do we need a floating head spindle arangement, to eliminate any differences in bed.

What I am hoping is that some kind person could give me a few pointers in the right direction, ie font type (nothing fancy, these are electrical control panels, and we are happy to purchase the right font), the tool type, machine setup (spindle speed, depth, speed etc)

Many Thanks in advance
Spence

[Tweakie]

Hi Spence,

It is a common problem and the only real answer is to buy a software package with engraving fonts. There is just not enough free stuff for engravers.
I found StickFont OK up to about 10mm beyond that it gets ragged but you must machine or level your table before engraving anything.

After a number of years struggling with this issue I finally saved up enough to purchase Vectric software and this has made life much easier.

Tweakie.

[micropowergen]

Hi Tweakie
Thanks for your reply. I will look at the vectric software.
Cheers
Spence

[fredbloggs]

Hi, Are you cutting too deep

For 5mm fonts, the truncication of the cutter should be 12% of this
eg 0.6mm
If it is deep you tend to get ragged cuts
Traffolyte is approx 0.010ins deep before hitting the soft centre on 1.5mm laminate
Is there any play in the spindle, bearings etc

The flatter and more level the bed the better the quality of engrave,
unless you have a floating cone to compensate
Traff is a little uneven, so I always use a floating cone

From my experience the software will improve the resolution of the cutter
bit like backlash compensation.
My preference is sort the former before buying expensive software

[micropowergen]

Fredblogs, my appologies for replying with thanks some 8 months later!
Yes all good valid and usefull points, Would you believe the problem was movement in one of the axis! Not backlash but a loose bolt on a bearing mount!!!!

Thanks for the clue on the 12% truncation this has been very usefull.

Kind Regards
Spence