CNC Pet Tag engraver: DIY help?

[RickM]

Hi all,

Very interesting site. I know I'll be poking around here quite a bit.

Using the search function I was unable to find advice on building a CNC pet tag engraver. Truth is I'd like to build one for my daughter. I figure it would be a cool little business for her. In any case, can anyone steer me towards a DIY kit of make recommendations on inexpensive and easily obtainable components which might be suited for this project?

I'd also be interested in opinions on existing software capable of storing preset templates (tag size/shape) and fonts. Hopefully I can make it easy enough for my 7 yo daughter to use via a laptop.

Thanks in advance for any insight.

Rick

[balsaman]

I don't think this is a good hobby for a 7 yo unless very closely supervised (stand over him/her). These mills no matter how small can seriously injure you.

A taig mill would probably work well for dog tags. They can be turnkey or cnc ready or manual and converted by the end user.

http://www.taigtools.com/cmill.html

It is difficult to make a metal cutting machine "DIY" from scratch but it can be done, especially if you have access to a machine shop.

Any of the cnc softwares can store files. Once you create the gcode file you can open it up and run it. The problem comes when the jobs require different tools. ie engravng for font's then an endmill to cut it out. There is an auto tool changer out there for the taig but it gets pricey. Tool changes can be done manually but not by a 7 yo.


Eric

[RickM]

Eric,

Thanks for your response. My daughter would be supervised. I wouldn't leave her alone even if there wasn't any a machinery involved.

The type of work the machine would be required to do would be to engrave characters onto a pre-made tag such as seen below.

I'm hoping I can make it where no bit change is needed (well, until the bit is spent). Tags would be made out of brass, aluminum, plastic or (maybe) stainless.

After looking at the link you provided I'm thinking I didn't describe what I'm looking to build accurately enough. I think it would be more along the lines of the "tables" on this page http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showth...&threadid=3604

[foamcutter]

RickM,
Check out Ebay and search under engraving. I have seen complete machines there, parts, I even saw a complete turnkey pet tag engraver system a while back. Remember special precautions must be taken with these machines as they can start and stop on their own and don't much care what they cut and engrave on. Ron

[balsaman]

Well, the tables are cool but the machine I linked to is better suited to the engraving work you want to do. You need a stiff and small and acurate machine to make those wee letters turn out nice. The tables are better suited for cutting out stuff from sheets of wood like for building model airplanes and such. Also great for engraving larger wooden signs etc.

In any case if you like the tables take a look at the DIY wood routers section. There is a boat load of info there. Enough to keep you reading for a month or two...

Eric

[ger21]

I had a link for you, but it won't let me post it. Sorry

[Graham S]

All you need to do is build a micro router, search for homemade engraving on the net and get an idea of the configuration and construction. Buy 6 6" THK rails or similar off ebay or some cheap linear bearings and shaft and knock something up nice and small, it only needs to have tiny travel. The leadscrews could by 6mm dia, 1mm lead threaded rod and the nuts tapped delrin. Small steppers of Nema23 or even Nema17 could be used and a xytolex could run the steppers. For the art work use coral draw or any vector based drafting or art package and there is a program called Aceconverter which is free which can produce the tool paths. Use TurboCNC to run the machine, that is $20. For a spindle a Dremel or smaller clone or a smalle engraver, even the dot type could work.

Could be cheap but you need to do a bit of research. Home and limit switches will be a must I would say and an interlocked enclosure would be good for noise dust and safety.

There is a great site on homemade engravers, this is essentially what you want. I haven't time to find it now, it is something like majosoft, I am sure someone will know.

Graham

[RickM]

Thanks again for the advice and ideas. I have looked on Ebay for quite a while. The Pet Tag stampers are far and few between...and typically expensive. There is a small CNC machine made for this purpose but it's a few $K. I was hoping to get away with $500 or less.

The Micro router sounds ideal as I want this to be as purpose built as possible. Here's the relatively small commercial unit..... http://www.imarcengraver.com/index.htm

Also, I'm only looking for font engraving....no images.

Gerry, if the Link doesn't work can you just post the address?
Graham, If you figure the name please share. I'm Googling and coming up empty.

Ron, Eric and Sendkeys, thanks again for your advice.

[RickM]

K, Found Majosoft....ands ome other sites. I found DeskEngrave software freeware...I'll look for Mach1.

Other ideas are very welcome.

[Dogsione]

This may be going in a slightly different direction, but what about considering one of these manual engravers?:

http://www.able-engravers.com/m_t_engraver.htm

I can't tell if these can engrave pet tags. They do look pretty easy to set up and operate. (...and I'm sure some adventurous soul on these boards could figure out how to CNC it...)

[ger21]

Rick, I sent you a PM the other day.