Andy Jones
04-15-2014, 1:58 AM
Hi everyone,
Long time lurker, firs time poster.
I recently purchased two trotec machines. Speedy 300-30 watt, and Galvo fiber laser with all the bells and whistles-xyz axis. We sell engraved products such as business card holders, keychains, etc in bulk. Average order is around 500 pcs. Hence the reason we wanted to buy a setup where we could run jobs at a higher level of production vs. engraving 1 at a time. The co2 machine was purchased for engraving certain materials, but to also help cut jigs for the Galvo fiber laser.The machines and reps from trotec have been great so far but we are running into an issue that we just can't overcome. We are currently cutting jigs out of 1/8" acrylic. A typical jig would be 16x16 with the same item template cut evenly throughout. Example 9 across, 4 high utilizing illustrator to evenly space them out, say 10 mm apart. The issue is the result of the entire jig is not consistent. Majority of the engravings are not centered. Majority of them are off center to the right.
There are a few variables I have determined are at play.
1. The items may not always be 100% exact. (made in China...go figure)
2. XY table is not exact. Using an L bracket to push to jig up onto the table.
3. The acrylic jig I am cutting is not being cut to an exact specification.
1. I don't think there is anything I can do to overcome this.
2. My first few trial runs we're way off until it was determined that the L bracket was off slightly skewing the x/y placement. This has since been fixed so I am able to eliminate this possibility.
3. I have cut jigs on multiple settings, different speeds, power, etc. But I am noticing an inconsistent spacing of the templates. I am using a Caliper to measure each cut/ item space and they typically are off by an average of +/- .05 mm. By the time I get to the 5th or 6th item on the row, that .05 adds up and the mark is really off. This issue tends to be consistent throughout the 4 rows.
Is there anyway I can overcome this? Using any other materials to make a more accurate jig, or way of Fine tuning the settings to get a more accurate cut with the acrylic?
Any help would be greatly appreciated as I am dead in the water searching for a gust of hope..
Thanks!
Andy
Long time lurker, firs time poster.
I recently purchased two trotec machines. Speedy 300-30 watt, and Galvo fiber laser with all the bells and whistles-xyz axis. We sell engraved products such as business card holders, keychains, etc in bulk. Average order is around 500 pcs. Hence the reason we wanted to buy a setup where we could run jobs at a higher level of production vs. engraving 1 at a time. The co2 machine was purchased for engraving certain materials, but to also help cut jigs for the Galvo fiber laser.The machines and reps from trotec have been great so far but we are running into an issue that we just can't overcome. We are currently cutting jigs out of 1/8" acrylic. A typical jig would be 16x16 with the same item template cut evenly throughout. Example 9 across, 4 high utilizing illustrator to evenly space them out, say 10 mm apart. The issue is the result of the entire jig is not consistent. Majority of the engravings are not centered. Majority of them are off center to the right.
There are a few variables I have determined are at play.
1. The items may not always be 100% exact. (made in China...go figure)
2. XY table is not exact. Using an L bracket to push to jig up onto the table.
3. The acrylic jig I am cutting is not being cut to an exact specification.
1. I don't think there is anything I can do to overcome this.
2. My first few trial runs we're way off until it was determined that the L bracket was off slightly skewing the x/y placement. This has since been fixed so I am able to eliminate this possibility.
3. I have cut jigs on multiple settings, different speeds, power, etc. But I am noticing an inconsistent spacing of the templates. I am using a Caliper to measure each cut/ item space and they typically are off by an average of +/- .05 mm. By the time I get to the 5th or 6th item on the row, that .05 adds up and the mark is really off. This issue tends to be consistent throughout the 4 rows.
Is there anyway I can overcome this? Using any other materials to make a more accurate jig, or way of Fine tuning the settings to get a more accurate cut with the acrylic?
Any help would be greatly appreciated as I am dead in the water searching for a gust of hope..
Thanks!
Andy