Edge-Lit LED Text Engraving

prusaprinters

<p>I had just reach a point in my CNC router build (<a href="https://openbuilds.com/builds/fixed-gantry-cnc-router-with-old-industrial-supplies.6536/">https://openbuilds.com/builds/fixed-gantry-cnc-router-with-old-industrial-supplies.6536/</a>) that I could start using it to make something when it was time to make some gifts for Christmas! I liked the idea of edge-lit LED lights with a custom image or word.</p> <p>I ordered a few bases:</p> <p>2019 RGB Lights LED Lamp Base For 3D Illusion Lamp <a href="https://www.dhgate.com/product/3d-night-lights-led-decoration-lamps-table/401916626.html">https://www.dhgate.com/product/3d-night-lights-led-decoration-lamps-table/401916626.html</a></p> <p>and a 12"x12"x3/16" cast acrylic sheet https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006GHT97Q/</p> <p>Since I didn't have much time, I created the OpenSCAD program here to generate the correct geometry for the end that goes in the bases as well as all the names I wanted to engrave. The 1st text string is what gets engraved, the 2nd text string helps generate the right amount of spacing, and the translate_amount fine-tunes the positioning. The resulting object could be exported in multiple formats but I chose to generate an SVG image which I pulled into Carbide Create. As my first project, I was probably overly conservative with the numbers but this is what I used:</p> <p>1/8" single flute endmill</p> <p>DOC 0.01"</p> <p>Stepover 0.05"</p> <p>Feedrate 10"/min</p> <p>Plungerate 3"/min</p> <p>Total depth of engraving: 0.03"</p> <p>The same settings were used to cut out each piece with a total depth of 0.187" except for 3x 2mm wide and 1mm tall tabs. The cheap Harbor Freight trim router I'm using spins up to 26000rpm but I'm using a speed control device to lower it to approximately 1/3 total power. Each sign averaged around 45 minutes total (engraving + cutting) and the 12"x12" sheet yielded 5 signs.</p> Category: Signs & Logos