Re: Engraving and engine turning

I also thought about using the rotary table as Tracey suggested but I think you need to use both X & Y axis and then rotate the
work to always cut against the tool in proper direction.

If you mount the work on a rotary table and keep the tool (spindle) locked it ought to give the same engraving functions as if
you turned the spindle to match engraving directions.

A simpler possibility would be to have the engraver tool offset from it support point (the spindle) but able to spin freely. I
think if you programmed a bigger pattern, the tool tip would drag behind, always following the engraving direction
automatically.

To control the depth of cut with a wavy surface:

That is done today in laser machining that has to follow curved surfaces and still stay in focus. Would it not be simpler to
control the the down force on the tool tip and thereby the depth of cut.

If the tip is allowed to swing up and down and the force is independent of its up down position, you would get a uniform
engraving depth even if the surface is not perfectly flat.

Uniform force could be achieved by weight or a long spring so the compression is not significant.

Another option would be to use a small air piston and electronically varying the air pressure. That would give software control
of depth of cut.

Bertho Boman
Vinland Corporation
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> Tracey From: TADGUNINC@... wrote:
> >
> >I may be way off here of what you are trying to do but, couldn't keep the
> >spindle stationary, and use a rotary table? You would only need to use one
> >axis of the milling table, and coordinate it with the rotation of the rotary.
> >Tracey

> "David M. Munro" wrote:
> This might be a good start, but eventually I want to be able to do
> different patterns, (or combine them) in one setup. For example, a square
> dial with an arch top could have a rose engine pattern in the arch,
> continuing into a straight line pattern in the square bottom half of the
> dial.
>
> David M. Munro