DIY CNC mini mill

[Browser]

If you're not chasing a production style environment and it's just for doing the "odd" label (i.e. it doesn't matter how quickly it does it) then you can probably get away with a little 3018 style machine from Sainsmart. I've got their 3018-PROVER V2 in the office for cutting out and drilling PCBs. I've also done some cutting out of panels on extruded aluminium boxes with it - it won't cut the material as quickly as a full size milling machine because it's not rigid enough but given it's all CNC then I just set it off and go and do something else. I don't need it to be churning out PCBs or panels as quickly as possible, it's just to save me the time sitting there manually drilling or milling them out.

I've got two spindles for it 10k and 20k rpm as well as a DIY vinyl cutter for cutting out paper templates etc., you can get lasers for it but it's not difficult to make your own stuff since it's just a 45mm (or maybe 52mm) spindle clamp. I think it was only a few hundred quid from Amazon. The GRBL controller is pretty decent too - not had any issues with it and I've ended up writing my own Python library to control it from either the desktop or anything running Linux which means I can run more complicated scripts.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/SainSmart-Genmitsu-3018-PROVer-Switches-Emergency-Stop/dp/B07ZFD6SKP/

It comes with everything you need - I just use GrblCandle an OpenSource piece of software for running the Gcode through it or as said my own python scripts to interact directly with the Grbl controller.

We'll be after doing quite a few once we get going and will need whatever we buy to work at a reasonable speed, so I think I'm leaning more towards a commercial machine, but thank you for taking the time to reply

 

[Hood]

Thankyou for carrying out that test and videoing it for me, much appreciated sir!

Looks like laser etching will do the trick, I presume it will work on plastics and other materials?

I can't say how it would work on most plastics but it does work on acetal/delrin although you need to ventilate the room if you don't want stinging eyes

Pic of a stamp I made.

 

[Jelly_Sheffield]

Thankyou for carrying out that test and videoing it for me, much appreciated sir!

Looks like laser etching will do the trick, I presume it will work on plastics and other materials?

Most polymers are fine, but etch performance is noticeably worse in certain thermoplastics with relatively low melting points.

PVC and PTFE are absolute no-no's though due to the release of acid gasses.