So it has been about a year since used my CNC due personal reasons, and man CNC’ing…use it or lose it LOL.
I have two questions and I know answer is probable something simple but been out of game for while. First, using MC Etcher 90 deg drag bit, why did the ear, upper left come out less “frosted” then rest? I did notice that during the process, some plastic build up was accumulating around the bit point and had to try wipe excess off when nit lifted. Is that due to too deep cut/too much pressure? Or because just haven’t used the it in a year it needs some maintenance or lube?
Using Shapeoko Pro XXL, MC Etcher 90 deg bit, all units are imperial…Step over .010, depth per pass .010, plunge rate 30.0, feet rate 60 IPM, cut depth .010
Second if I want to do something different like in this picture, drag lines vice a fill, still use contour path but with no offset right?
I do a lot of acrylic work, and much of it with McEtcher. Your problem is “probably” the fact that cast acrylic is notoriously variable in thickness. Since the McEtcher is spring loaded, it won’t make much difference if you kick it down a few thousanths in order to make a consistent etch. As for your other question… I cannot say because I use different software. I cross hatch almost everything…takes a lot longer but is beautiful.
I’d second the notoriously inconsistent thickness part for sure. What little acrylic engraving I’ve done has been made much better with efforts to ensure flatness of the material.
Well I’m pretty sure it’s not a level/thickness issue but who knows.
What I have found to be interesting it is very specific when it happens. Like on this sign I just did. It seems on “long strokes” like the middle of the “N” the lines are just not as frosty or crisp as other areas where it does short strokes.
Yeah I have done cross hatch and they come out nice but do take twice as long. When I first started these a year ago it seemed I could get away with just one pass.