Tools for Engraving and 3D Carving
Designed for engraving a wide variety of wood, plastic, brass and aluminum plaques, presentations and awards.
What are depth rings?
What are depth rings and what tools can have them?
Depth setting rings are plastic collars that are securely pressed onto the 1/8 in. shank of a drill bit, end-mill, router bit, or similar rotary cutter. There is no charge to add the rings, but the user is cautioned to make sure that their equipment is compatible with their use.
Most PreciseBits 1/8 in. shank bits are available with or without depth setting rings. Bits that can't have rings are:
- End-mills smaller than 0.005" (0.127mm)
- Shanks longer than 1.50" OAL
- Cutting depths or necks longer than 0.50"
- SRD kerf cutters (MM5D8)
How do they work and why would I want them?
The shank side of the ring (top side in the picture to the right) is accurately positioned (d ±0.004 in.) relative to the tip of the tool. If the shank-side of the ring is pressed against the collet when the tool is loaded, the tip of the bit will be a known distance (d) from the face of the collet. Knowing this distance, the programmer can plunge the tool, confident that the depth of cut will be as expected and will remain the same no matter how many times the tool is changed. If all of the tools in the programmer's magazine have been fitted with depth setting rings, an automatic tool changer can load and unload tools with the tip of each one the same distance from the face of the collet.
This is especially helpful with micro-tools where "touching-off" on some reference surface to calibrate the tool height can damage or break the tip of the tool. Rings also find widespread use in inlay pocket cutting where relatively large diameter cutters are used to "hog out" basic shapes, followed by much smaller diameter finishing bits that clean up the edges, sharpen the corners and add fine detail to the finished part.
LPKF and T-Tech
The most common value for d is 0.800 in. (industry standard). However, with the advent of mechanically etching printed circuit boards in the mid 1970s, a new standard was implemented for the special purpose tools developed for this application.
Today, only machines made by LPKF and T-Tech adhere to this special standard. Systems from AccurateCNC, MITS, Sun and EverPrecision are compatible with the original industry standard depth of 0.800 in.
The 1/4 in. shank and 1.00 in. depth of cut (DOC) in this tool family are designed for deep machining in large format dimensional signage as well as very detailed carving of architectural components, back-lit lithophanes and other decorative items.
Although the geometry of these tools was optimized for cutting and shaping hardwoods, they are equally at home machining plastics, phenolic composites, unfired ceramics and aluminum.
Designed specifically for the dimensional signage and egraving markets, our 2-flute solid-carbide "V" cutters feature polished, high-rake cutting edges capable of producing a surface finish suitable for edge-lit transparent signs and plaques.
Edge finishes in HDU, hardwood (maple, walnut, mahogany, cherry...),softwoods, HDPE, POM (acetal) and phenolic composites are typically smooth and free of chatter. High flute volume and precisely shaped ejection paths support high chiploads in a wide variety of sign making substrates. Precise "V" angle formation (±0.2°) permits either single-pass or multi-pass cutting without fear of steps or streaks.
Combining large flute volumes and high-shear flute geometries, these tools produce clean, flash-free cuts in a variety of thermoplastics. High feed-rates at moderate RPM (12K - 40K) offer significant productivity gains over conventional tooling.
Designed specifically for high-speed cutting of thermoplastics. The fine finish produced by these tools make them the perfect choice for engraving edge-lit signs and contour cutting clear plastic appliques.
The 1/8 in. dia. shank tools in this series have been optimized for single-pass and cleanup cutting in high resolution 3D carving applications where straight side walls are required.
Designed by a corrosion chemist to:
· dissolve varnish and gummy deposits in the spindle bore
· loosen rust
· inhibit corrosion
in spindle bores and on collets and toolholders.
ME Lube significantly reduces the formation of potentially hazardous micron and sub-micron sized airborne particulates common when cutting features in PCBs or machining G-10, FR4, carbon fiber or phenolic substrates. The lubricants and surfactants provide cooling and reduce cutting resistance, yielding extended cutter life, reduced burr formation and the minimization of chips and shorts.
An effective solution for removing fuzz, fray, hair and splinters from 3D carvings and engravings in wood, composites and plastics. FuzzBrush is lightweight and comfortable to use.