cnc engraver & vinyl cutter

[bobs409]

I'm just beginning my search for a low cost hobby cnc engraver machine and thought I'd ask here.

What I am looking for is something that can engrave into aluminum (not real deep, words, letters, etc) and also that can cut out vinyl stickers using a drag knife.

I see there are dedicated vinyl cutter machines that look like a computer printer and there are dedicated engravers or routers. Want to kill 2 birds with one stone.

Looking for any input or suggestions.

[Frank S]

It would seem to me that the basic machine table and gantry would be or could be the same for either.that takes care of your XY axis the Z axis would be for the router/ engraver so you would probably only need to add a 4th axis servo to control the knife direction the knife could possibly be an attachment to the the body of the router/ engraver you just remove it to route or remove the router bit to cut. Many of the G code programs have capability to be programmed for multiple axis.
I'm sure someone like Rossbotics, Tonyfoale or jr2001 or others will know a lot more about this

[bobs409]

After searching all day, I decided to try this die cutting machine:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Cricut-Make...72.m2749.l2649

It will be perfect for decal cutting but does many other things and cuts 100's of different materials. While I couldn't engrave anything real thick, it can handle up to 3/32 in thickness which would be good enough for my needs.

If I ever need to work with thicker materials, probably a cnc router would be more suitable.

[bruce.desertrat]

There's several DIY approaches, like the MPCNC https://www.v1engineering.com which can do all of it (if it's made stiff enough, which basically means smaller footprint and limited Z travel, it'll even cut out 6-8mm Al plate without trouble.)

There are a number of interchangeable heads people have designed for it: drag knife, pen plotter, laser, even plasma cutter and woodburner: https://www.v1engineering.com/videos/gallery/

[Sewerjack]

For what your asking for I would suggest you look at the Silhouette Curio for engraving. The curio can also cut vinyl. I will let you know I’m partial towards the Silhouette branded machines. Have been using them for 6-7years now with my oldest still Cameo (1st generation) still cutting just as good as the newest which is a Cameo 3. The Cameos are used mostly to cut vinyl and stencil. I purchased a Silhouette Curio to engrave on Metal. Mostly have done Aluminum Bracelet blanks.

Just my two cents.

SJ