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Post by davew215 on Oct 4, 2017 12:06:35 GMT
I am new to engraving, and found that Zippos provide a nice contrast when the finish is taken off. I have been importing pictures into a CAD program, and then tracing the images myself. If anyone has a suggestion for free tracing software, please let me know. After it is traced, I then add the name, and cut the name 0.0001" into the CAD model. Then I use a CAM program to run a trace-cut for the sketch, and a pocket-cut for the name. I've been using a 0.1mm 45 degree bit. I do a practice run on wood at about 0.2mm deep, and then if it looks OK, do the final cut at about 0.1-0.15mm deep. Sometimes the Zippo or table is not perfectly level, so I will edit my traced sketch to re-cut the lightly engraved areas. I will then re-zero at 0.05-0.1mm deeeper, and re-cut the low areas. The entire time I keep cutting fluid on top of the lighter. Each lighter takes me about 5 minutes for the picture, and 10 minutes for the name. If anyone has suggestions, please let me know! I think these could make great gifts for friends/relatives (which is what I am doing), and the Zippos are only ~$10/ea. Attachments:
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Post by aforww on Oct 4, 2017 12:46:02 GMT
I am new to engraving, and found that Zippos provide a nice contrast when the finish is taken off. I have been importing pictures into a CAD program, and then tracing the images myself. If anyone has a suggestion for free tracing software, please let me know. After it is traced, I then add the name, and cut the name 0.0001" into the CAD model. Then I use a CAM program to run a trace-cut for the sketch, and a pocket-cut for the name. I've been using a 0.1mm 45 degree bit. I do a practice run on wood at about 0.2mm deep, and then if it looks OK, do the final cut at about 0.1-0.15mm deep. Sometimes the Zippo or table is not perfectly level, so I will edit my traced sketch to re-cut the lightly engraved areas. I will then re-zero at 0.05-0.1mm deeeper, and re-cut the low areas. The entire time I keep cutting fluid on top of the lighter. Each lighter takes me about 5 minutes for the picture, and 10 minutes for the name. If anyone has suggestions, please let me know! I think these could make great gifts for friends/relatives (which is what I am doing), and the Zippos are only ~$10/ea. You can use something like inkscape to take a jpeg, auto trace bitmap, then export as a .dxf. Just Google jpeg, clipart, whatever to .dxf That dxf is your "tracing". Get probing setup and you can use a program called Gcode ripper to "map" thezippo surface so it automatically adjust Z height while engraving to compensate for varying heights. |
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Post by Derek the Admin on Oct 4, 2017 14:42:03 GMT
Great work Dave. I also appreciate your description of your work flow. People benefit from that a lot.
Do you mind if I show that work off on Facebook?
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Post by davew215 on Oct 4, 2017 16:10:51 GMT
Thanks for the feedback aforww! I will give inkscape a try. The probing that I think you mean would ground the metal Zippo to the controller board and connect the bit to an input on the board? Then a program like Gcode ripper would "map" the metal surface's varying heights? I see on another thread for PCB engraving they posted an example video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z59BkvBOx5A . Thanks Derek! I don't mind at all - share away. |
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Post by breslinmr on Oct 4, 2017 16:24:31 GMT
Look cool what name are you hiding lol must be a bad one
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Post by kec-10238 on Oct 4, 2017 16:32:33 GMT
Dave, try a 60 degree engraving tip - they are the most common used for engraving. A lot of detail in that bass. nice work. thanks for the detailed process - will come in handy as it is what I will be attempting to do with 60 degree micro engraving bits and extreme precision collets as a back-up for my old Roland EGX engraver should it expire. they look good.
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Post by aforww on Oct 4, 2017 23:30:22 GMT
Thanks for the feedback aforww! I will give inkscape a try. The probing that I think you mean would ground the metal Zippo to the controller board and connect the bit to an input on the board? Then a program like Gcode ripper would "map" the metal surface's varying heights? I see on another thread for PCB engraving they posted an example video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z59BkvBOx5A . Thanks Derek! I don't mind at all - share away. You'll need a contact on the Zippo as well as the cutter. But yeah, you got the idea. |
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Post by kevin on Oct 4, 2017 23:34:22 GMT
That's really good work!
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Post by davew215 on Oct 25, 2017 13:17:01 GMT
Made a few more! Attachments:
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Post by Derek the Admin on Oct 25, 2017 15:41:33 GMT
Wow Dave. I'd say that's more than a few! Excellent work. Thanks for sharing all this.
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Post by aforww on Oct 25, 2017 15:46:27 GMT
Very well done!
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Post by breslinmr on Oct 25, 2017 19:06:42 GMT
A few lol. Nice work
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