Addicted to CNC!

[Westozy]

Hi Gwynn,

just for curiosity: which program did you draw the Landing panel with and what kind and size of font did you use for the text?
How about the engraving depth? Do you use a special set up in order to compensate for the thickness irregularities of the material?

Lots of questions. Hope you can shed some light onto it.
Thanks and best rgds

Peter

Hi Peter,
I use VCarvePro for all drawings now and this program also creates the toolpaths to drive Mach3 on the CNC. I don't think I've touched Autocad for a couple of years now, VCarve does it all in one. For best results in engraving, I usually mount a block of PVC on the table then "deck" it with a 20mm endmill ie: plane it flat. This makes the perfectly flat and true platform for mounting the aircraft panel, I stick them on with very thin double sided tape. I usually engrave to a depth of 0.07mm and this is usually enough to cut through the paint. I try not to remove too much plastic. Another good tip - I use mostly 6mm solid white acrylic for my panels rather than two pieces of 3mm and on the back of the panel I machine pocket cuts wherever there is text. This makes the backlighting a lot brighter. The font used is Futura Md BT, I can't remember the size off the top of my head but I will share my VCarve file if you want it, I can also convert it to .dxf if required.

Cheers Gwyn

[PeterH]

Hi Peter,
I use VCarvePro for all drawings now and this program also creates the toolpaths to drive Mach3 on the CNC. I don't think I've touched Autocad for a couple of yea.
rs now, VCarve does it all in one. For best results in engraving, I usually mount a block of PVC on the table then "deck" it with a 20mm endmill ie: plane it flat. This makes the perfectly flat and true platform for mounting the aircraft panel, I stick them on with very thin double sided tape. I usually engrave to a depth of 0.07mm and this is usually enough to cut through the paint. I try not to remove too much plastic. Another good tip - I use mostly 6mm solid white acrylic for my panels rather than two pieces of 3mm and on the back of the panel I machine pocket cuts wherever there is text. This makes the backlighting a lot brighter. The font used is Futura Md BT, I can't remember the size off the top of my head but I will share my VCarve file if you want it, I can also convert it to .dxf if required.

Cheers Gwyn

Hi Gwyn,

thanks a lot for prompt reply. Would be great to get your file either in Vcarve format or dxf.
Pse mail it to: peter dot hein at onlinehome dot de

Thanks and best rgds

Peter

[blueskydriver]

Hi Gwyn,

I'd also like to get the files in VCarvePro from you. Please send me a PM and I'll send my email address...

John