Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Engraving Aluminum

William Scalione wrote:

> Hi all,
>
> I need to engrave some control panels and will
> be using about .090" aluminum sheet. I was
> wondering if anyone knew what type and temper
> would work best for that. The engraving supply
> places sell only very thin stuff, so I will be getting
> it from an aircraft supply house. They are the only
> ones I found that sell it with the protective plastic
> sheet over it. All the other places I have bought
> my aluminum from give me a piece all scratched
> up that requires an hours worth of sanding. I will
> be using a floating engraving head with a 1/8"
> cutter at about 15,000 rpm

6061-T6 is excellent stuff. The harder vareties tend
to cut cleanly, while the sofft stuff 3003, 6061-T2 and below,
etc. are soft and tend to mush or tear as well as cut, making
things look a little ragged.

The problem with unanodized aluminum, even 6061-T6
is that is is still pretty soft, and will scratch easily. That's
why most professional outfits anodize the panels, so that
they will resist scratching from pens, rings and such stuff
that people have in their hands when pushing buttons.

Jon