After upgrading to an Xtool D1 Pro Ive been having a lot of success. As I move closer to launching some product lines with this I’m starting to see the issues with scaling my jobs into larger batches.
The problem: Etching more then one coaster at a time seems impossible if i want the design to be centered. They arent all the exact size or shape which makes created a jig or fixture for batch jobs not doable.
Not sure theres a good repeatable way to do batch work on a machine that doesnt have an auto orientation feature like xTool P2 or OMTech laser. Unless your stock material is relatively tight tolerance making fixturing possible.
Not sure what coasters you’re using that aren’t the same size. I use slate coasters from Amazon and use a jig that I can load 20 at a time on my Omtech C02. By the nature of the slate coasters the edges are chipped away, so I don’t try to engrave all the way to the edge. The sizes of the coasters are consistent enough to work in my jig. On the slate coasters I use nobody would be able to tell by eye if the design was off center by a mm.
Perhaps you’re doing a different type of coaster and exact placement of the design to the tenth of a mm is necessary.
I’m guessing log splices (or more like tree branch slices)… if so, or similar, how about a template that has circles(?) that fit the largest expected workpiece. Then you only need to align your pieces inside a small shape, which would be easier to do by eye. You could even have crosshairs in the templates around the workpieces.
Hmmm interesting idea. So it would be a jig with over sized circles where you could center your material with your tongue at the right angle. Thats the best I got so far now I’ll buy a big peice of basswood stock and cut a jig out of that.
