Page 281 - CNC Robotics

Chapter 12 / Examples

The engraver was also able to etch a design in natural stone. For
this experimen t, I generated a fil e to test the engraver with a piece
of black gran ite floor til e. Figure 12 . 12 shows the result.

Figure 12.12
Engraving in black
granite.

The engraver worked fairly we ll w ith the granite, although the
lin es are a little sloppie r than those mad e in aluminum. All th ings
con sidered, the machine perfo rmed very well as a CNC engraver.

Dremel Tool

The Drem el tool is handy for doing small jobs that require tiny
bits. You wouldn 't use the Drem el for anything large, but it is great
for intricate and small carving. Although it spi ns quickly, it could-
n't take the punishment that a router or larger rotary tool could.
There are many bits that can fit its II S-inch collet or chuck. I pur-
chased a set of diamond-im pregnated bits to try out the Dremel as
a glass engraver. Since th e bits were inexp ensive, I didn 't expect a
lon g working life from th em. I mounted the Drernel too l in my
makeshift hol der and set about engraving the Chevy logo in a
piece of mirror. In Figu re 12 .1 3 yo u can see the diamond bit mak-
ing contact w ith the surface of the mirror. Thinking that it would

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