Engraving serial number, etc. (7075-T6 aluminum) via CNC mill?

[Drew Eckhardt]

I'd like to put serial numbers, fire control markings, etc. on my AR (7075-T6) projects with a Tormach; and as long as I'm going through the trouble would like them below the BATF .003" depth specified for licensed manufacturers for a professional look and in case my heirs decide to sell after I'm gone.

Any one have ideas on tooling, speeds, and feeds?

While .003" is the minimum, how deep do people tend to go?

 

[Rbeckett]

Drew,
You could use a cnc table with a small dremel tool and diamond tips to imprint the info as deep as you would like and could have a repeatable design and format quite easilly. If you have a CNC Plasma or router it would be cheao and easy, If you needed you could even build a cnc router out of wood and still make a proffesional looking inprint on the material or weapon. Just a thought, but maybe not practicle for your circimstance
Bob

 

[DMS]

If you post the type of tool you are trying to use, I can run it through GWizard.

 

[DMS]

Oh, I just realized you were asking about tooling. I have seen people use small ball end mills, but these things seem better http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INPDFF?PMPAGE=165&PMCTLG=00 For speeds, on those, GWizard says some crazy stuff when I try to put in that cutter. For a 1/16th, 2 flute carbide ball mill, it lists things I actually believe (5100 RPM, 5.1 ipm).

 

[igluit4u]

Engraving tool, 8000rpm, 20ipm with coolant flood, about .005 deep (to allow for hardcoat or perhaps cerakote on this one).

 

[igluit4u]

The other side...

 

[igluit4u]

The heavier engraving is .010 - .012, still toying with that a bit..

 

[Drew Eckhardt]

Engraving tool, 8000rpm, 20ipm with coolant flood, about .005 deep (to allow for hardcoat or perhaps cerakote on this one).

Excellent, looks good.

What sort of engraving tool?

A cursory web search turns up single flute tools with included angles from 30-90 degrees and point sizes from .001 to .100".

 

[igluit4u]

Excellent, looks good.

What sort of engraving tool?

A cursory web search turns up single flute tools with included angles from 30-90 degrees and point sizes from .001 to .100".

That was done with a carbide .1875 shank tool, single flute, 45deg and a .010" point size. I use that for other engraving tasks and it has seemed to work out pretty well, so I stuck with it..

 

[mofosheee]

Would somebody please give me a feeds and speeds for engraving text (about 1/4" vertical height) into a sheet of 7075 T6 using a; 1/8" shank, .005" tip, 60 degree etching bit.

From cruising around the threads I am thinking about 4 ipm @ 5000 rpm using a spring loaded etching tool. I am thinking that .015"depth of cut would look good, 3 passes at .005"


Please advise. Thank you.