CNC engraving of brass labels

[Wal]

In theory they should be rigid enough - brass cuts very well and if you're using small tools (2mm and less), you'll likely bust the end-mill before you run into morbid machine deflection... Having said that - they may be poorly built and you may get vibration and resonance leading to excessive small tool breakages and a rough looking cut..!

These ebay specials aren't that popular on the forum - many a tale told of configuration woes and poor cutting results... If it's really light duty stuff you're planning to put one of these to work on then you'll probably be alright - you may have to swap out a few parts here and there and persevere a bit with the config, but if you're game for that caper, then hey - they're a place to start.

(Probably not been that helpful here, have I..?)

Wal.

[labelcnc]

Thanks Wal, that's just the sort of feedback I'm after. I anticipate the duty to be light, 0.5 mm deep cuts, could be a relatively low feed rate and generally a small cutter as sharp(ish) internal corners are preferred.
Hopefully someone who has a machine will also come back.
Is there a thread running on configuration troubles?

Graham

[dfox1787]

i would stay away from the china cnc machines. I have spent more money repairing and replacing parts then i would if i just bought a good quality machine in the first place.

[cropwell]

I have got a light duty machine made in Devon (especially for cutting clotted cream ) unsupported rails make deflection a problem and engraving brass is a matter of trial and error, mainly error.
Engraving bits (V chisels) simply chew the brass for me and I think that may be a vibration issue due to poor rigidity. I get better results with a small end mill, typically down to 0.4 mm. I have tried 0.2mm but those buggers are so delicate, they will break if you even look at them funny. I have to use very low feed rates and DOC's and lots of WD40.

If I were doing it as a commercial venture, I certainly wouldn't use a Chinese low cost gantry machine. The second machine looks better, but again column rigidity could be an issue.

[Wal]

>Is there a thread running on configuration troubles?

As it happens, there's a thread a couple down from this one:

http://www.mycncuk.com/threads/11054...ng-all-the-way

The machine is probably a near approximation of what you're proposing to purchase - as you can see, it's a bit of a project..!

Wal.

[labelcnc]

Thanks Wal, I did read through that one, fortunately for me I have considerably more machine knowledge than he exhibits. Don't believe he will ever get it going! I will have difficulties with configuration etc, but am far more concerned whether the machines are suitable. Beginning to look not.
2nd reply said to buy quality machine. What & where?

Graham