Re: Engraving methods

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, wanliker@a... wrote:

> How do you make allowances for the curvature of the dial,at

different

> diameters, the different width of the numbers. Example 1 versus

2, take up

> different amounts of space.

If you have a rotary axis, you can use the Y axis to turn the rotary
and the engraving will be transformed from flat to cylindrical. All
the cutting will be done with Y=0, the workpiece centered and
rotated directly under the spindle.

With Vector Cam, you can use the Wrap cylinder function to create a
3D representation of the "wrapped" text and machine in 3D using X-Y-
Z coordinates(rotary too if you have that option). You will need to
use a tiny ball nosed cutter, or fairly sharp engraving point and
can probably reach 1/4 of the circumference before you have to index
the dial 90 degrees. If the dial markings are at an angle or along
the front face of the dial, you can wrap cylinder and then rotate
the toolpaths (in Vector) so that the entire face/angles can be cut
with X-Y-Z movement.



Fred Smith - IMService
THE source for low cost cad-cam and desktop CNC
http://www.cadcamcadcam.com/hobby