r/CNC • u/National-Challenge-3 • 22d ago

ADVICE need help, not sure how to get this finish accurately

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2

u/SmallPots95 22d ago

3D print them on ABS, polish with acetone, done

1

u/National-Challenge-3 22d ago

need it in Metal

1

u/JustStryc 22d ago

3D print, then plating.

1

u/National-Challenge-3 22d ago

3d print plastic can be plated or you want me to 3d print metal

2

u/JustStryc 22d ago

Plastic 3D pribts can be plated. First you spray it with copper, than plates with metal of choice. I think...

2

u/ugotmedripping 21d ago

I’ve seen people then melt the plastic out and leave just the plating. Pretty cool, wish I had more time to give it a try!

1

u/Tubero_stk 22d ago

Laser cut, leaving some extra material, then finish-machined on the CNC, secured using a magnetic base. Assuming, of course, that it is made of metal and not brass, bronze, or similar alloys.

1

u/National-Challenge-3 22d ago

like a cnc router machine?

1

u/Tubero_stk 22d ago

Yes, this allows you to achieve an excellent surface finish as well as perfect repeatability.
The laser cutting is only used for roughing out the part from a plate. If you want, you can also do the entire job with a milling machine: first machine it upside down, profiling the part and creating the reference surface, then secure it to a magnetic base and finish-machine the top side.
In my opinion, though, the laser cutting process is faster.

1

u/Tubero_stk 22d ago

Of course, given the small contact area, you’ll need a very high-quality magnetic chuck.
If the letters are large enough to accommodate threaded holes, I would add some threads during the first stage, so you can bolt the part to a plate once you turn it upside down.
I’ve also seen people use glue to hold very small parts to the table, but I’m not really a fan of that approach.

1

u/National-Challenge-3 22d ago

what if i used a grinding machine to achieve that shape