Here’s a fun quick hack from [Timo Birnschein] on using the 3D laser engraving (or ‘stamp’) engraving mode of certain lasercutter tool chains to create a convenient recessed shape in a laser-cut and engraved workpiece. [Timo] uses a small laser cutter to cut out and mark project boards for their electronic constructs, an extra messy, manual countersinking operation with subsequent cleanup seemed like a waste of time and effort, if the cutter could be persuaded to do it for them.
Designs are prepared in Inkscape, with an additional ‘3D engraving’ layer that holds the extra editing step. [Timo] used the Inkscape Feather tools to create a circular grayscale gradient leading to the central cutout hole (the cuts are in a separate layer) which was then fed into Visicut to power the GRBL-based machine. However, you can also do it with virtually any toolchain that supports laser power control during a halftone operation. At least the results look fine for parts of the workpiece that aren’t visible, but if you’re just interested in the idea from a functional standpoint, we think this is another great trick for the big bag of laser hacks.
There have been a myriad of laser cutting hacks here over the years because these tools are so damn useful. The snapmaker machine could be a 3D printer, CNC cutter and laser cutter all in one, although not too perfect at any of those tasks, but the idea is nice. If you own a great 3D printer, but feel like laser engraving (and you have good eye protection!), you can just strap a 5W blue diode laser to it and get your solution.
This post Quick Hacks: Countersinking Screw Heads with 3D Laser Engraving
was original published at “https://hackaday.com/2022/04/11/quick-hacks-countersinking-screw-heads-with-3d-laser-engraving/”
