2 Color edge lit acrylic sign (ORIGINAL UN-CUT)
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 14 ต.ค. 2018
- In this video I build a unique 2 color edge lit acrylic LED sign using clear acrylic, as a gift for my nephew John. John is a talented mechanic who is always helping out his family in his spare time.
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Some links for bits & materials on Amazon
Clear cast acrylic amzn.to/2Xz3EaN
LED strip lights color changing amzn.to/2LLdvTI
LED strip lights Green amzn.to/2LIw5vK
60° V-bit amzn.to/2S6EZV4
90° V-bit amzn.to/30t8tPX
1/8” spiral up-cut “O” flute for Plastic amzn.to/30w4rq5
1/4” spiral up-cut for wood amzn.to/2S2RXTE
1/8” spiral up-cut for wood amzn.to/2JqQqEu
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases,
using the links provides does not in any way increase the cost to you, however any income I get from them helps support my channel...thanks
The size of my sign was 15” diameter, however you can scale this up or down to fit your specific project shape. I first begin with a design drawn in a CAD drafting program (I use AutoCAD LT)
This step isn’t necessary if you can draw your sign profile directly in the CAM software you are using to create the toolpaths (G-code) for your CNC router.
Once you have your project imported into your CAM software (I use V-carve Pro by Vectric) you can create any text or lettering if you haven’t already done so.
The next step is to select and create your individual toolpaths. I can’t really give you exact steps on how to do this as the process will depend on the software you are using.
To engrave the acrylic-
For the fine (or smaller than1/4” high text) I used the” V-carve” toolpath with a 60 ° V-bit
(In the video I mistakenly said it was a 30 degree bit, sorry for the confusion)
For the larger text and the rest of the engraving, I used the “V-carve” toolpath with a 90° V-bit
For the piston and wrench hatch filled engraving I used the “quick-engrave” toolpath, depth at 0.02”, hatch filled, angle at zero °s for the piston design, 45 & 135 °s for the wrench, all with a 0.055” step-over.
Feeds & speeds you will have to play with as each CNC machine can be quite different, what worked for me was 8000 rpm @ 50 to 60 inches per minute.
For the engraved areas that were un-filled or were a simple line engraving, I used the “profile” toolpath, and the 90° V-bit, with the tool “on” the line with climb direction & 0.032” depth.
For the holes, and the cut-out shapes, I used a 1/8” dia. Spiral up-cut “O” flute bit
For larger holes, I used the “pocket” toolpath with the depth of cut set about .005” more than the material thickness to just go all the way through.
The small 1/8” dia. Holes (for the alignment pins) were a “drill” toolpath, same cut depth as above.
For the shape cut-outs I used the “profile” toolpath with 1/16” cutting depth per pass.
Remove any masking on the top (cutting) side of the acrylic before engraving.
Use compressed air to blow away chips and cool the bit, always use sharp cutters, they don’t need to be brand new, but sharp.
Setting tool height is the single most feature that effects the detail of your engraving, the tool Z depth must be set accurately to get predictable results. If the bit is set even .005” higher than the material surface, and you are engraving small detailed text, it may not fully engrave the whole letter, and if the bit is set to low the letters can get so deep that individual letters can “blur” together (overlap)
When in doubt, set the tool higher, you can always adjust the tool depth and run the toolpath again. If it’s too deep, you can ruin the piece.
A vacuum table helps this process as it will keep the material “tight” to the table with no variations in Z height, providing you keep the vacuum table surface fly-cut and “true” to the CNC bed, just like when you re-surface your spoil board.
Use "Cast" acrylic for best surface finish, avoid “extruded” if possible.
Always make test cuts, engraving can be tricky to get right the first time in acrylic.
For the wood material, I used maple
I made the recessed dadoes for the LED strips using a “pocket” toolpath with a 1/4” spiral up-cut bit
The shape cut-outs were “profile” toolpath also with 1/4” bit.
All holes done using “pocket” toolpath with 1/8” spiral up-cut bit.
Led strip lights are cut to size to fit in dadoes, solder on 22 ga. Wires at least 6” long for later hook-up to the power supply
You-tube limits 5000 characters or less in this description box, so I must keep the more obvious stuff very brief. Please watch the video :) - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
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Hi everyone....I want to ask all interested viewers for some input on the next video....
another CNC project ? a project with-out the CNC router ? A work-shop tip ? A tool review ?
please jot down any ideas or input in the comments section below... Thanks
I see you are using Aspire. I have not got into any detailed 3d parts, mainly 2d cut outs. Have you? Thats what I would like to learn more about. Looking forward to the next video.
Christopher Bates Actually I’m using v carve pro, not the 3D aspire, and I have really only done 2D stuff as well, But looking ahead and planning on getting into it, check back or subscribe to get future notifications, thanks for commenting
I'd like to see more CNC projects, inspires me to do some more things vs. what I've been doing. I have the same machine and am using aspire but only worked with 2D things so far as well.
John, Thank you for your feedback, thinking about something a little more complex for the next CNC project, perhaps a wooden clock or kinetic sculpture.
@@BuildswithBrian im happy to watch whatever you feel like doing....just dont make it an epoxy river table ;0) i know its not very helpful but watching other creative makers on youtube is my way to relax, and occasionally i get inspiration,we have lots of creative people living in my neck of the woods ,stained glass artists, potters, stone and woodcarvers, sculptors etc. i use v carve myself, as well as conventional woodworking, havent tried 3D CNC, think its not worth the long cuts, but may try it in future, cheers
Wow not only are you a talented woodworker but you have great artistic ability. Many nice skills wood, Acrylic, electrical wiring. Not to mention what a great video nice mix of music at low levels and Vcarve screen shots - very well done in all areas. Thank you much.
I like the bison mountains logo on your shirt.
Simple and clever.
Thank you for this video. I'm an web developer who got a tiny CNC a year ago and progressed to a larger CNC & 1.5Kw spindle now. Going to make CNC as a side-line until I retire (I'm 61) and then do this as a job to keep me busy and work with people. Helpful and insightful idea
Glad it helped, I am excited for you and I think it’s awesome that you have a thought out plan for your future ! Most people sadly do not.
I admire your entrepreneurship sir and good fortune to you 👍
I watched this quite a while back, but had to watch this again. This is such an AWESOME project! Nice job.
Thank you for coming back, it was a pretty cool and unique project and fun to design and build
I know this an old post, but I sure do wish I had a shop like that.
Thank you, yeah it’s a nice shop I guess, probably took a couple years off my life building it though 😆😆
Genius
Very nice design, and delighted customer. Great job.
David Hawley thanks !!
Great job man... Very well thought out. And thanks for showing the mistakes and explaining the fixes.
Your welcome
Beautiful job. I'm envious.
Your friend does look excited to see it turned on. Great work!
Thanks!
excellent video including the oops
Thank you…. Luckily that scratch was an easily fixed “oops”
Unfortunately most of my mistakes take
More work to “un-do” 😆
Awesome work! Excellent video, great detail, nothing hidden 👍🏻
Thank you sir, and thanks for watching
eXellent vid thanks Brian.. Mad Doctor and Fine Craftsmanship all in one :D the gold is in the 'mistakes', thanks for sharing that great teacher
Really nice work. Thanks for sharing.
Looks great...
L W thanks !!
Nice work! I need one of those cnc router tables!
great
Thanks for watching
That sign is sweet! Keep up the good work.
Thank you sir
It’s was a lot of work but well worth it
very nice, really like what you did here.
Thank you so much for the time amd effort you put into this video. Appreciated
It’s my pleasure thank you for watching 👍
excellent build!
adam bergendorff thank you, it was a fun but challenging project
Great job. Thank you for including the screw ups too. No projects go 100% smooth.
Absolutely, we learn more from our failures in our successes, thanks for watching
Real cool idea man, came out great!
Thanks, John does like it 😁
Great video. Nice project!
Thanks you sir, I know the video is a bit long but I hope it was worth it for you
Very nice job
Saud H thank you
nice,need lots of fancy machinery
You just given me an idea on how to making mine..great JOB there!!! cheers from the Philippines.
Thank you
When your project is complete please send pictures to my email, I will highlight it in a future video if you like.
Buildswithbrian@gmail. Com
Good luck
I love P.I. y'all are the friendliest people in the world.
Instead of polishing the scrach out you should tried hitting it with a torch give it a try in the future or check it out on TH-cam it's called flame polishing.
A flush trim bit could of used to clean up the back side of your rings instead of using a knife and sand paper
Nice job keep up the good work
I can flame polish edges but never saw it done on the surface 🧐
!2 screw hole could make a clock too. I made my son a CNC and laser etched clock. was a tuffy.
cool project man
Frankie's CNC & Woodworking channel
Thanks dude!
Frankie's CNC & Woodworking channel
You make some pretty awesome stuff yourself there my friend
That is an awesome sign man! Great job! I'm just getting into CNC with one I 3d printed :)
Timothy Armstrong
Thanks Timothy, it was a really fun and challenging project, I Haven’t yet done anything with 3-D printing, but it is definitely on my bucket list 😆 thanks for watching!
Nice work man, seems like you care about your viewers a lot by typing such a long description. Have a wonderful thursday, and tomorrow is friday!!!
Thank you for the kind words and for watching.
Thursday already, this week’s flying by 😆
You have a great weekend!
Fabulous video! #subscribed
Mike Trent thank you !
Glad you enjoyed it
Great job man! I have that same CNC! Makes for such an awesome addition to the shop for sure! #axiomprecison
Thanks, it is a great machine!
Could you provide information on your compressed air setup? It would be nice to blow some of the dust out of the way near the bit . I
have a Axiom 6 𝑷𝒓𝒐 6. Thanks
Quick tip:
Flaming the edges of the acrylic gives a nice smooth finish.
I prefer the machined edge as is, for a better softer light dispersion,
Usually sand the edges of an acrylic sign also, but too difficult with all the gear teeth in this case.
Another thought. Move the shop-vac just outside the door there in the background during filming. You may lose a bit of vacuum, but you'll also lose a bunch of noise.
Doug w
I actually starting doing that a few months ago, mainly because the noise was getting on my nerves , and my son was working in the shop with me and he pointed out how loud it was 😆
Fantastic job, I'll give a like and a sub. I'm new to cnc and take any great tips and tricks that I find out there. Haven't checked out all of your videos as of yet but will get to it. Do you do drag bit on acrylic I'm looking at starting some lighted arcrylic plaques. Nice to know that V bits work great.
Thanks for the great video Brian.
John, thanks glad you found something useful in my ramblings 😆
Have not yet tried a drag bit, mainly due to the cost, but seriously thought About getting one to do engraving, then I gained more experience using v-bits to engrave brass and stuff and was satisfied with the results.
Thanks for the really detailed vid. What did you use for powering the two led strips up?
It was a 12 vdc power supply that plugs into a standard 110vac outlet
Cool man! Just subbed. Question. The shop vac is strong enough for a vacuum table ??
For the table as I have designed it, yes it works quite well, it works on high flow of air
I make my led signs using polycarbonate...but damn its expensive material...i know acrylic is better and clearer but maching it is a bit more difficult unless u use the costly cast acrylic as u know
Hey, how deep should I engrave for the best result?
Have you had any problems with the shop vac burning up using for vacuum table?
No I have not had issues. I am still using the shop vac. You see me using in the video.
What kind of air pressure are you running on your blowers? What type of compressor are you using?
Are you asking what air pressure I am using to cool the bit & help clear chips ?
About 90 psi, with a valve to control the
Flow amount.
My compressor is a single stage 60 gallon
Tank, 3 hp motor
Can you suggest any sources of information on how to design the vacuum table and blowing system that you use?
Sorry but no, I just used a common sense tried and true proven design.
But I know there are many technical design web sites for them.
Just google search it.
great information please pan back or stay in frame. couldn't see what you were referring to a couple of times. as a beginner CNC user I really appreciate this kind of information, both good and mistakes. Mike
Mike Canfield
Sorry I don’t have a dedicated camera operator, it can make it hard sometimes.
Glad you found it helpful.
Do u know a place to get cheap upcut style end mills? I usually buy all my bits from china ebay..they do ok for me as im just home hobby...i usually pay less than 1$ per bit ..u have a very nice shop...
L W sorry but I don’t have a source for cheap bits, I have been buying only Amana or whiteside from amazon sellers ( best price)
Also thru “tools today” or “think and tinker”
Hi very cool. Could you please tell me the brand, model of the vacuum table? I would love to get one. Thanks Roger
I designed and built the vacuum table myself.
I actually have a video about it, you should watch that if you want more specifics.
Thank you for watching sir
Have you tried front and back etching or edge lit
yes i have made several edge lit signs, in fact this project in the video is edge lit, just from the inside out :)
how to i cut out around the edge of an oval i made from a bitmap
robert robicheaux
Bitmaps are raster images, so first u need to trace it in your cam software or somehow convert it into a vector, then you use a profile cutting tool path
Thanks...yeah those are high quality high cost bits...not my thing.
what's the song? it's soo good
Diego L.
At what time in video ?
I used a few music files
@@BuildswithBrian The one that's playing at 8:00
That is kind of funk cool
Huh...
I’ll have to check it out tomorrow and let you know, I’m away from the computer for the evening
It's called "Still want it" by Dan Lebowitz, available in You-tubes free audio library
@@BuildswithBrian Thank you! :)
Wow very nicely done. I must admit im a bit jelous of your workshop.
Two words: “Double sided tape”
No screw holes.
You change... no is nice...lost time
drop the stupid music and fix your sound
Be nice 😁
@@BuildswithBrian just trying to help. It would be better if you did a voice over so you could balance out the cnc sound. The cnc noise is over powering your voice. The music is boring and repetitious and would drive some people crazy.
Great work! What feedsand speeds are you using for this acrylic?
Paul Reader
Can’t remember off the top of my head, but I believe it’s in the description box of the video,
Thanks for watching!
@@BuildswithBrian Yes you are right - thanks again! Another great idea to get our Men's Shed group interested in the broader aspects of working with CNC