Addicted to CNC!

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Originally Posted by PeterH

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

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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

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Westozy

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

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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

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