This site article describes engraving INTO alloys (over a couple thousandths deep) instead of engraving on metals (burnishing or dragging). Engraving into alloy has its own particular challenges, together with many factors and choices.
There are a couple of essential concepts to be taken into consideration when engraving into alloys; like stainless steel, aluminum and brass.
Holding the Engraving Material
The largest challenge in design is being in a position to hold the substance. Metal engraving machine usually will surpass the holding capacity of multi or tape mat. The holding apparatus should keep the thing out of going and, if possible, be user friendly. You wish to have the ability to place and eliminate material as economically as possible with our forfeiting your holding ethics or damaging the material.
Custom Jigs
For highly diligent work, you might wish to take into account a custom made jig designed particularly for a particular job. An excellent, effective jig needs to allow for rapid, simple, and precise placement of material with minimal work. You could realize that a custom made jig is worth the investment.
Cutters, Cutting Fluid, and Spindles
It's advised that regular softball cutters made especially for cutting metals and finish manufacturers be utilized. For optimum results, try double finished, double-fluted ending mills. End mills will supply you with far premium quality, and, they're simpler to use. Whatever fashion cutter you wind up using, you must plan on getting many copies to permit for replacement of broken implants and also for cutter sharpening.
It's also strongly suggested that you utilize cutting fluid. This will prolong the life span of your own cutters by massaging the cutting edge surface and assisting to cool them. You'll also discover that this can help create a smoother finish on the cut. An automated misting process can be found on several Vision Engravers & Routers, which spread lubricating fluid on the engraving material since it cuts.
A collet spindle can be essential for this kind of engraving. Standard top loading spindles don't provide enough support of this cutter to the base of the spindle. This will enable the cutter to "chatter" under thick foliage loads, which will create inferior engraving quality and lessen the life span of your cutters. Vision provides a High-Frequency 50,000 RPM Spindle, allowing for quicker engraving to stainless steel.
Z-Axis Spring Tension
Since stainless steel is clearly harder than vinyl, it is going to require additional pressure to penetrate the surface. For greatest pressure, you'll have to tighten the Z-axis spring strain so the threads of this spring are completely compacted.
Z Dwell Time
A diminished Z-Dwell period is important if engraving stainless. By slowing the Dwell period, you permit the cutter to completely penetrate the substance before moving. A one second reside is an excellent starting point.
XY Speed
XY Speed clarifies the true engraving or cutting rate. To preserve higher quality engraving on stainless in addition to add strength to your own cutters, you need to use a slow XY speed. Practice engraving on a scrap piece of cloth prior to engraving on a precious product.
Multiple Pass Setup
To get a cleaner cut and also to get less misuse both to your cutters and engraver, it's suggested that you use a number of moves to get your closing thickness. On stainless, it's possible to safely engrave and get a clean cut utilizing a thickness of .004-.005" each pass.
A closing cleanup pass also can help clean up burrs made by cutting deeper onto the first cuts. Clean-up moves are generally no longer than .001-.002" deeper than the last pass. So, to get a desirable thickness of .012", place pass numbers two and one to .005" and pass number-one to four .002".
Spindle Motor Speed
This fluctuates depending of printer dimensions, engraving thickness, and XY Speed. Too slow of a rate can boost your odds of breaking off the tip your cutter. Too fast of a rate can actually induce the engraving material to fuse on the tip of the cutter. This produces an extremely dull cutter and made a black or rough appearing cut from the substance.
Begin Your Motor Speed in a moderate to slow pace and listen to this engraver since it cuts the substance.
Adjust the rate down and up in tiny increments to discover a setting which seems as though the engraver isn't having to battle or labour throughout the cut.
Article Source: http://blog.visionengravers.com/archives/2011/10/engraving-into-metal/
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