Question regarding mini CNC machining

[bbrickey3]

Unfortunately, I'm not familiar with metal working other than some jewelry work. I'm primarily a wood tuner that is looking to launch a unique pen kit that isn't currently available. A lot of the parts are 7-12 mm wide and turned in a brass or alloy then plated.

Other than the moving parts (ie twist mechanism) can the rest be machined on a small cnc? Looking at the hobby level CNC, is it looks possible? Not being familiar with the machines, how much programming am I really looking at? If I get the pieces mocked up in a CAD, can something like below be produced?

Here's an example of what I'm talking about.


Thanks,

Brodie

[cob]

I am not familiar with the pen making but by looking at those pens you have I have knowtice that there are two halfs that make a pen and thats pretty simple to program

[bbrickey3]

Cob,

Thank you. Pens are normally made up of three or four parts:

The tip (where the ink refill comes out)
The collar (where the two piece join together)
The cap (which can be either an insert for a twist pen or a real cap)
The clip

All of these join together with a brass tube that the wood is inserted over. The pens pictured are some of the more complex versions out there and hence cost the most to purchase.

If I understand this correctly I will need a CNC that can do 4 axis work for the 'engraving' around the collar unless I go for a more classic look.

Does that sound correct?

[cob]

Originally Posted by bbrickey3 Cob, Thank you. Pens are normally made up of three or four parts: The tip (where the ink refill comes out) The collar (where the two piece join together) The cap (which can be either an insert for a twist pen or a real cap) The clip All of these join together with a brass tube that the wood is inserted over. The pens pictured are some of the more complex versions out there and hence cost the most to purchase. If I understand this correctly I will need a CNC that can do 4 axis work for the 'engraving' around the collar unless I go for a more classic look. Does that sound correct?

the tip ,the collar and the cap can be very esaly machine on a lathe actually once you get the hange on cnc you can create your own designs pretty simple .
for the clip I really would not know how to go about that thats because I never really payed any attention to a pen. you might be better of buying a bulk of clips from some kind of source .
for the engraving since this part is round and abviously it will have to rotate around YES you will need a 4th axis .
i dont know what you knoledge is on cnc but dont forget there is also the CAD part of cnc thats were you have to do all the design work.
also for pens instead of doing the engraving on the mill have you thought about lasering the engraving you want.
check out this site its pretty cool lazer that you can add a 4 axis to it
http://www.epiloglaser.com/