I keep cutting through my stock. (Alum. business card)

[msadkins]

Hello everyone, thanks for the add. I need some info. I am trying to engrave text on a .5mm thick piece of anodized aluminum. But when I tried it, the tool cut through it. I cant figure out how to adjust the cutting depth. I'm using Fusion Autodesk to create the text plate. The CNC is a desktop 3018 pro max. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[jscott6SWZG]

How are holding the stock, and how are you setting z 0

[msadkins]

I have the stock setting on a piece of wood. I bring the spindle (cutting tip) to the center of the stock and drop it until it a paper thickness between the tip and the stock, then zero it.

I hope this helps. I tried to attach the gcode but I'm not sure it uploaded.

[jscott6SWZG · Accepted solution]

K so double sided tape to hold it down?  It is likely the aluminium/ wood is not true enough.   Set z in middle the move to a corner and bring the tool down til it locks the paper.  But dont zero z  Read the z value.  That will til you how far you are out of true.   
if it is close enough set z at some average.   If not

yiu need to build a z map,  or improve your wood holder, with a planer.

i use a piece of 1/4 aluminum has a base.

also tou can set z say .5 mm high run the cut, then drop z say  o .2 and rum it again.  This will show you the high and lows
 

[msadkins · Accepted solution]

Thank you for the advice. BTW, I'm using hold down clamps for the base and the stock. I will definitely use your advice. Is there anywhere else in fusion to set depth? I'm only asking because I am very new to this whole thing.

[jscott6SWZG · Accepted solution]

You can set the work piece origin to the too of the stock,   Or you could set it to the bottom of the stock.

i would rnsure that you have the work piece origin set to the top of the stock, and zero machine z to the top of the stock

[programming2C78B · Accepted solution]

The depth comes from your tools angle and tip diameter. Modify these things to where the max cut depth is less then .5mm.

[msadkins]

Thank you everyone for the help. With all of that and more I have learned, I think I have a good handle on it now.