Best alloy aluminum for engraving?

[srmaietta]

Hello I am about to purchase some aluminum plate for engraving, and would like to know if there are any better alloys to choose with engraving in mind?

thanks
~Steve

[johnmac]

I would like to know, too. Is there any way to tell the alloy of a unmarked plate?

[boothie]

Hey guys,
Don't know about the engraving part but if the end product is to be anodisied then the less additives in the alloy the better. These can cause issues during the anodising and cause an uneven finish and blotchie results. Whenever we machine the stuff we run fast with lots of coolant and for some reason HSS cutters don't grab as much as tungsten.
Boothie

[tobyaxis]

Originally Posted by srmaietta Hello I am about to purchase some aluminum plate for engraving, and would like to know if there are any better alloys to choose with engraving in mind? thanks ~Steve

I'd say the easiest would be 6061-T6. It cuts nice and the Surface Finishes are excellent.

[Geof]

Originally Posted by tobyaxis I'd say the easiest would be 6061-T6. It cuts nice and the Surface Finishes are excellent.

Yes, this is the case. We have a few parts that have text engraved and it comes out very nice. 6061 also anodises very nicely and can be dyed a great variety of colors. One technique we use is to machine the basic shape then anodize and engrave after anodizing. The result is a nice visible text like the picture.

[tobyaxis]

Originally Posted by Geof Yes, this is the case. We have a few parts that have text engraved and it comes out very nice. 6061 also anodises very nicely and can be dyed a great variety of colors. One technique we use is to machine the basic shape then anodize and engrave after anodizing. The result is a nice visible text like the picture.

Geof,

What Brand of Engraving tool are you using, a Melin Conical Blank 30 Degree Included Angle, or a 60 Degree Mill Drill 2 to 4 Flute???

[Geof]

Originally Posted by tobyaxis Geof, What Brand of Engraving tool are you using, a Melin Conical Blank 30 Degree Included Angle, or a 60 Degree Mill Drill 2 to 4 Flute???

It is just a 1/8" dia., 90 degree spot drill running at 10,000rpm and I think on those plates 100ipm. The 1.000 refers to the diameter of the semicircle to give you a sense of scale.

[tobyaxis]

Originally Posted by Geof It is just a 1/8" dia., 90 degree spot drill running at 10,000rpm and I think on those plates 100ipm. The 1.000 refers to the diameter of the semicircle to give you a sense of scale.

What do you recommend for Engraving 316L Stainless?

[Geof]

Originally Posted by tobyaxis What do you recommend for Engraving 316L Stainless?

Let somebody else do it .

I detest working with stainless, getting lazy in my old age I guess. I expect trying to engraving might be difficult, the adage take a deep cut and get under the work hardened surface hardly applies.

You are going to have to experiment.

[tobyaxis]

Originally Posted by Geof Let somebody else do it . I detest working with stainless, getting lazy in my old age I guess. I expect trying to engraving might be difficult, the adage take a deep cut and get under the work hardened surface hardly applies. You are going to have to experiment.

Yea, breaking tool tips comes to mind LOL. I will be trying a Mill Drill 60 Degree Point 4 Flute Carbide Coated TiAlN. Some how breaking the skin will be difficult because the depth of cut will be .005. Maybe I'll Engrave a Surface with plus .035 , then try a Finish Ball Mill, and a Spring pass on the engraving. That tool tip is going to suffer some dulling, LOL.

Any other ideas Geof???

[Geof]

Originally Posted by tobyaxis ....Any other ideas Geof???

The only other idea I have is a bit far out; diamond bit at a very high rpm. I have no real idea whether it would work but I would probablt be tempted to try it as a last resort.

[tobyaxis]

Originally Posted by Geof The only other idea I have is a bit far out; diamond bit at a very high rpm. I have no real idea whether it would work but I would probablt be tempted to try it as a last resort.

I think your on to something with that idea , but wouldn't a Diamond Chip in 316L SS??? What do you mean as far as RPM, like 10,000 or 20,000???