Prototype for the mechanical engraver of aluminum plates assisted by computer

The development of a prototype for a mechanical etcher of aluminium plates is presented. These systems are used in different industries to engrave, in pieces of diverse materials, serial numbers, letters, codes or other symbols. The prototype consists of an xyz coordinates table, controlled by a computer, the movements of which are generated with stepped motors. On the z axis, a high velocity driller is mounted, which is used to engrave via a little milling device. The desired drawing to be etched is first edited using a program with a graphics editor and capable of generating output files in HPGL (Hewlett Packard Graphics Language) format. The control program takes the file, interprets the commands and converts them in control pulses for the motors that move the milling of the engraver device, this moves and reproduces the edited drawing. At the end of this project, a system capable of engraving drawings in aluminium plates of area 21×28 cm² was obtained. In practice this prototype is used to etch commemorative plaques.