I’m new here and just got my new Shapeoko 4XL up ad running. I started last year with a cheap 4030 Sainsmart and I liked it so much that I decided to get a real CNC. What I am making is simple stuff like panels for flight simulation"
The cuts are simple but I am looking for some suggestions for the lines and text. It is just a 3 mm acrilyc that I have painted and with a Vbit I carve the text and lines. Anyone that has done this before and give me some suggestions of what bit to use and lettertype that works on the Shapeoko?
I will start to experiment with different bits and settings but maybe someone has done this before… The text on the buttons (3D printed) was done with a laser cutter by someone else, it might be a bit too small for the Shapeoko to carve…
I haven’t done this on the Shapeoko, stuff like this was made on a small cheap SainSmart cnc. I used a 1/8" 30 degrees V-bit. I haven’t tried anything like this on my Shapeoko yet so I don’t have a clue what settings to use…
Whichever settings were working for you on the SainSmart CNC + associated tool, will work as is on the Shapeoko as a starting point (because the cutting edge of the tool does not care which machine moves it around ), but the difference will be that you will then be able to cut faster/deeper with the Shapeoko of course, and the precision will also likely be better.
There are many threads on the forum about cutting acrylic (tl;dr: use single flute cutters and feed fast), and a few on v-carving acrylic, here’s one where we discussed settings:
With a 1/8" 30° vbit you will need to dial down the depth and feedrate (again, what you were using with your previous CNC should be a safe starting point)
These (picture below) were the settings I have used with my old (and first) cheap SainSmart cnc. I’m gonna try the same thing on my new Shapeoko this week, curious about the results…
It’s a matter of trial and (lots of) error for me, what I do is keep notes of all my screw-ups (excuse me my language), settings, results etc. etc. This is the best way to learn for me. Also watching youtube videos from other Carbide Create users…