My Experience Using CNC Machine And Here's What I Did
Posted: April 28th, 2026, 5:00 am
Hi everyone,
It's been a while since I've posted on this forum. My apologies, I've been busy with custom dial orders and relume services. Thankfully, my business is still running. In recent years, I've also been regularly finishing dials for a micro-brand in Europe.
In this post, I'd like to share my experience using a CNC machine. As some of you know, I previously used a fiber laser to cut and engrave dial plates. However, recently, I've received several custom dial requests that feature complex engravings over large areas, requiring greater depth. These specifications affect the production cost of the laser machine. The deeper and larger the area to be engraved, the longer the processing time and the greater the power required. Furthermore, the heat from the laser beam can warp thin dial plates.
Finally, I considered investing in my own machine. I decided to purchase a CNC machine. The reasons for choosing this CNC machine include:
1. It doesn't use a heat beam like a laser machine.
2. The grinding process, which is quite deep (I usually need a depth of around 0.3mm), can be done more quickly. This of course depends on the power of the machine and the quality of the bit used.
3. I can work with materials that aren't limited to metal. I can also work on acrylic, wood, plastic, PVC, and many more. Fiber lasers are specifically designed for metal. If we want to work on materials other than metal with a laser machine, we need another type of laser, such as a diode or CO2 laser.
However, CNC machines are not without their drawbacks. One drawback I feel is that CNC machines can't match the capabilities of fiber lasers, which can create super-small lines like the text typically found on watch dials. So far, I can only create text with a minimum height of 0.8mm-1mm.
Seeing the capabilities of this CNC machine, I'm exploring production beyond the watch dial category. For example, I'm making EDC (everyday carry) products, coasters, fridge magnetic ornaments, pendants, and more. The materials used include brass, aluminum, and wood.
Below, I've included examples of the results of my CNC machine. I hope this inspires all of you.
BR,
Pras
[media]VID_20260426_221540[/media]
It's been a while since I've posted on this forum. My apologies, I've been busy with custom dial orders and relume services. Thankfully, my business is still running. In recent years, I've also been regularly finishing dials for a micro-brand in Europe.
In this post, I'd like to share my experience using a CNC machine. As some of you know, I previously used a fiber laser to cut and engrave dial plates. However, recently, I've received several custom dial requests that feature complex engravings over large areas, requiring greater depth. These specifications affect the production cost of the laser machine. The deeper and larger the area to be engraved, the longer the processing time and the greater the power required. Furthermore, the heat from the laser beam can warp thin dial plates.
Finally, I considered investing in my own machine. I decided to purchase a CNC machine. The reasons for choosing this CNC machine include:
1. It doesn't use a heat beam like a laser machine.
2. The grinding process, which is quite deep (I usually need a depth of around 0.3mm), can be done more quickly. This of course depends on the power of the machine and the quality of the bit used.
3. I can work with materials that aren't limited to metal. I can also work on acrylic, wood, plastic, PVC, and many more. Fiber lasers are specifically designed for metal. If we want to work on materials other than metal with a laser machine, we need another type of laser, such as a diode or CO2 laser.
However, CNC machines are not without their drawbacks. One drawback I feel is that CNC machines can't match the capabilities of fiber lasers, which can create super-small lines like the text typically found on watch dials. So far, I can only create text with a minimum height of 0.8mm-1mm.
Seeing the capabilities of this CNC machine, I'm exploring production beyond the watch dial category. For example, I'm making EDC (everyday carry) products, coasters, fridge magnetic ornaments, pendants, and more. The materials used include brass, aluminum, and wood.
Below, I've included examples of the results of my CNC machine. I hope this inspires all of you.
BR,
Pras
[media]VID_20260426_221540[/media]