Best option for a specific project?

[Jose81]

Hi to all. I need help with a specific project I have in mind since I am a complete newbie when it comes to CNC...

I need to be able to engrave a very thin (0.4 - 0.8mm) very small (45 X 45mm) piece of material with great detail and therefore accuracy. The materials I have in mind are either plywood or some sort of metal like brass or steel.

This project will not be a one off case but neither is a large quantity involved so the purchase of an expensive machine is not justified at this stage.

So, my questions are:

• Is it possible to engrave on such a thin piece of material?
• Is there a budget friendly machine for home use able to do this work?
• Is there a reliable online company I could perhaps outsource this to?

Thanks in advance!

Similar Threads:

• Just IN- 12" Z axis option for the Pilot Pro CNC shown with a 5th axis option
• Newbie- What tooling to buy for specific project
• X3 Specific tooling Q's
• Specific feed speed rates for specific wood
• Are there specific router bits for specific materials?

[Storen]

Hi Jose,

- "great detail and therefore accuracy" would require an expensive machine. "budget friendly machine for home use" is not going to produce the fine results you are asking for.

- "either plywood or some sort of metal like brass or steel" - Different machines are used for wood and metal. There are some combo options but they are very expensive.

- "Is it possible to engrave on such a thin piece of material?" - Absolutely.

- "Is there a reliable online company I could perhaps outsource this to?" - There are many. Look for CO2 Marking machine for wood and Fiber Marking machine for metal.

[Jose81]

Hi Jose,

- "great detail and therefore accuracy" would require an expensive machine. "budget friendly machine for home use" is not going to produce the fine results you are asking for.

- "either plywood or some sort of metal like brass or steel" - Different machines are used for wood and metal. There are some combo options but they are very expensive.

- "Is it possible to engrave on such a thin piece of material?" - Absolutely.

- "Is there a reliable online company I could perhaps outsource this to?" - There are many. Look for CO2 Marking machine for wood and Fiber Marking machine for metal.

Thanks for the prompt reply.

Do any specific outsourcing companies come to mind? I am asking because by looking for such terms I only find companies that make these machines.

[Storen]

I don't know. I never used one myself. Maybe just run a general search for "laser engraving" services in your area and then ask them for the machines they have.

[cinematic2]

Just buy Fiber marking machine and forget. Will do all you need.

[Jorge-D-Fuentes]

Here's a piece of brass I had lying around at work.
It's a dirty engraving (no cleaning pass afterwards, sorry!).
The piece is only 0.75mm thick.

So yes, it is totally possible.

I have a 20W Siro Lasertec Fiberscan (but I have no idea how much it costs).

I've engraved a Multi-Level LASER Pattern on it.