Plexi 3D

[Xray]

First a disclaimer, am not a Botter, but have always liked this forum, and don't discount the possibility of owning a Bot sometime down the road.
That said, these can just as well be made with a Bot. Both are vectorart files that have been carved -3D, substracted mode. Roughing I use a .25 endmill, finish a .05 tapered ball nose, commonly used for 3D in wood.

1st one is a Jesus bust done in 3/8" plexi, not much room for depth with 3/8", but as you can see, it is possible. Used just about all the thickness I had available, came out very nice. Lettering was then etched with a diamond drag bit, and set in a custom base with a RGB strip.
2nd was done in 1" thick plexi, plenty of room for depth with 1", probably went near .75" deep. Came out very nice, is about 12x8", sure to appeal to firearm enthusiasts.
I have tried these in .5" plexi as well, did a very nice praying hands design, and I think .5 is ideal for these.

The normal caveats when routing plexi apply to these, slow RPM's as possible and high feed rates to avoid any melting issues. These are fun to make, open up new areas of creativity, and sell pretty well, certainly attract attention wherever they are.

[jTr]

Doug - Very cool stuff!
Thanks for sharing - We appreciate the inspiration and description of methods you used.

jeff

[genek]

Very nice work... did you make the base.

[Xray]

Jeff - Yep, no matter what machine is used we share at least 90% in common with methods, tooling, software, procedures ect. I have learned just browsing around here.

Eugene, yes I make my bases out of mdf with an appropriate sized slot, also have the slot stepped on the ends to keep it from sitting right on the light strip. The gun was pictured before I even made a correct base for it, I just set it over the slot of another base for the pic, in fact it is the 3/8 base for the Jesus bust, you can see it will no where near fit in that slot.

[Xray]

A few more recent works

[myxpykalix]

looks like you got that mastered

[pwbell]

Where did you get the led lights and how did you hook them up?
Thanks for answering and the examples look really great!

[Xray]

Hi bruce,and thanks.
To be accurate I don't own a shopbot I am a "friend of the forum" who owns another brand, here to share and gain knowledge. But there is no reason why a deskbot could not create identical works, it could and does. Success doing lithos & plexi edge lit can be tricky no matter what machine you have but there is alot of helpful info here and at the vectric forum to get you on your way.

and PW, speaking of vectric forum check this thread for all sorts of sources, examples and tips
http://forum.vectric.com/viewtopic.php?t=17065

[Xray]

Made this one today, very thick plexi [1.25"] and 14x8.
Not perfect but close, together with the plexi base I got about 3 hours into it, not bad for something this large and detailed.

[scottp55]

Nice Doug !! You're really Mastering this Niche