Ive been messing around trying different engraving methods for engraving in clear acrylic. The result ive liked best so far in using a vbit with the vcarve tool path. Ive been using the info in this thread as a starting point Acrylic Engraving Recipe - #11 by DSherwood.
A 301 or 302 at 10000 rpm, 80ipm feed and 60imp plunge .02 DPP run twice, 2nd at full depth is giving me pretty good results but i still end up with chips packed in the bottom of the cut. Using cast acrylic. Anyone have any thougts as to what can be done to achieve a cleaner result?
I would run at 120+ ipm, 10k is good. Run the toolpaths twice and it should clean up? I Use cast acrylic only. Extruded gets gummy. Cast has some uniformity of thickness issues, so I prefer to use a spring loaded diamond drag bit, like the McEtcher.
Thanks, i’ll try 120ipm and up for my next test. Running the tool path twice does help but still dosnt leave the cut quite as clean as id like. And it should be cast, thats what i bought anyway. Whats your thoughts on plunge rate and depth per pass?
Plunge rate and depth of pass I think are fine. I don’t know what your full depth is, nor do I know what shapeoko you have. That’l make a difference. I know this: Acrylic melts if you don’t cut it sharp and quick.