Lithophane cutting tips
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- bradders
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- Joined: Mon 13 Feb , 2006 12:35 pm
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Lithophane cutting tips
I would be grateful for some pointers to improve the quality of the red Perspex lithophanes produced on our new Denford Model 2600 PRO software version 5 / 17 (Serial no H08071). I have made my settings as per the tutorial, except I have set the depth of cut at 1.5 mm. The picture reduction I am using is 27% and the picture size is about 55 mm x 75 mm. This gives about 21000 lines of data to work from - the raster step over is 15% and the cut depth 1.5 mm, leaving 0.5 mm thickness from the bottom. Feed is about 600 and speed is 23000. One of the areas that may be a problem is the cutter. I have the picture cutter mounted which I think is 140 - 45 - 0 (BI00811Y). It was not in its packet when I first saw it and there is no packet available with the number on it to verify that this is the cutter being used. My tool settings indicate that a 1/8" engraver cutter with a flat bottom is in use. The cutter in use is quite fine and pointed to the touch. The machined preview itself does not show good sharp features around the face, but small circles, whereas the contouring on the pre-posted design seems fine. The result is that the quality of my finished product does not remotely compare with the Mona Lisa example shown during a demonstration. I would also be grateful to know what the dimensions for this tool as stated on the packet. Thank you in anticipation
- bradders
- CNC Guru
- Posts: 1251
- Joined: Mon 13 Feb , 2006 12:35 pm
- Location: Brighouse, England
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From Denford Technical director
The tool definition is what is important.
If you have a photo engraving cutter you will see there is a very small flat on the bottom of the cutter this should be about 0.5mm across.
You should add to your tool library a photo engraving cutter and set it up as a 0.5mm slot drill.
Then re run the design through Quick CAM and make sure you select the 0.5mm diameter tool. Put the settings to 40% stepover with a feed of 3000mm/min and 24000RPM
As you have used a 1/8” engraver in the cam package the program detail will be greatly reduced as the tool would be unable to fit into many areas without machining other parts away.
You must have the correct tool defined in the machine and QuickCAM. First add the tool to the tool library of VR milling then open Quickcam which should now show the tool you have added.
The tool definition is what is important.
If you have a photo engraving cutter you will see there is a very small flat on the bottom of the cutter this should be about 0.5mm across.
You should add to your tool library a photo engraving cutter and set it up as a 0.5mm slot drill.
Then re run the design through Quick CAM and make sure you select the 0.5mm diameter tool. Put the settings to 40% stepover with a feed of 3000mm/min and 24000RPM
As you have used a 1/8” engraver in the cam package the program detail will be greatly reduced as the tool would be unable to fit into many areas without machining other parts away.
You must have the correct tool defined in the machine and QuickCAM. First add the tool to the tool library of VR milling then open Quickcam which should now show the tool you have added.