MetalworkingFun Forum

I need something to hold a pen for laser engraving. All it needs to do is hold it straight and a stepper motor behind it will turn it. The pens are 10mm dia +/- 10%. I was using a roller rotary attachment but the pens have a pocket clip that isn't removable and putting small wheels on the pen didn't end well due to the above mentioned +/- 10%. Some pens fit perfect, some not at all and some so loose they fell off, that and it limits the area I can engrave.

So I'm thinking of a small chuck of some kind but it has to have jaws that won't mark the rubber barrel of the pen where it's holding it. Some small drill chucks are about right but have metal jaws that will leave marks. Sliding something over the end of the pen will get old fast when I'm doing hundreds of pens.

They make a rotary attachment similar to what I want to do, but it's MUCH too big and I only need it to hold straight, not multi angles. Here's one such attachment: https://www.ebay.com/itm/175456724785

So, anyone have any ideas? I already know I'll probably have to make it.

Could you post a picture of the pen?

Ed

(10-20-2022, 10:59 AM)EdK Wrote: [ -> ]Could you post a picture of the pen?

Ed

Sure can!

a little bigger than I thought!

Is the metal on the ends magnetic?

By the way, that's a classy pen.

Ed

Make an ER collet out of Delrin with an internal slot for the clip?

^ Good idea!

(10-20-2022, 10:25 AM)Vinny Wrote: [ -> ]I need something to hold a pen for laser engraving.  All it needs to do is hold it straight and a stepper motor behind it will turn it.  The pens are 10mm dia +/- 10%.  I was using a roller rotary attachment but the pens have a pocket clip that isn't removable and putting small wheels on the pen didn't end well due to the above mentioned +/- 10%.   Some pens fit perfect, some not at all and some so loose they fell off, that and it limits the area I can engrave.

So I'm thinking of a small chuck of some kind but it has to have jaws that won't mark the rubber barrel of the pen where it's holding it.   Some small drill chucks are about right but have metal jaws that will leave marks.  Sliding something over the end of the pen will get old fast when I'm doing hundreds of pens.  

They make a rotary attachment similar to what I want to do, but it's MUCH too big and I only need it to hold straight, not multi angles.   Here's one such attachment:  https://www.ebay.com/itm/175456724785

So, anyone have any ideas?  I already know I'll probably have to make it.

What if you take it apart and hold it from the inside? Maybe you could use a tapered shaft or a short threaded section that fits the threads in the pen.

Other ideas. I am assuming that a laser engraver doesn't really put a load on the work.

Just use the clip to hold it. Grab the clip in something like a vise or clip it to cardboard or sheet metal as necessary.

Stick it down with painters tape.

Make a v groove cradle and just lay it in the cradle.

Maybe I don't understand the problem but you asked for ideas.

The problem with using the clip is the pen needs to turn for the engraving process. Tonite I saw a jeweler's attachment meant for engraving rings, bracelets, goblets and other things and it has a built in stepper motor. The parts that hold it are brass, but they're like studs so I should be able to put a piece of hose or something over them. Don't know if it'll work but if not I guess I'll be adding jewelry to my list of things to engrave.

Suitcase, your assumption is right in that the engraver doesn't put any load on the pen. In fact the pen attachments for engraving with a fiber laser (they cost a couple thousand $ and up) is a turntable with slots to just set the pen in. The only movement is when it goes onto the next pen. Sorta like your cradle idea. If I ever do get a fiber, I will make the turntable with a slot for the clip to make the main part more accessible to engrave.

Ed, those pens are under 20 cents each minus shipping. If I figure in 300-500 pens, shipping won't bring the price much higher.

Willie, the ER style collet isn't a bad idea and it wouldn't need the slot for the clip. There's enough to hang onto between the clip and the stylus (that thing that looks like an eraser).

I just took one apart to see about the short threaded shaft. I could actually make one from another pen. In the above picture it's the silver piece on the end that unscrews. In the process of putting it back together I managed to shoot that silver thing across the room somewhere. I'm sure I'll find it some day! In taking off one from another pen (one that was out of ink and fairly well used) I found that identical looking pens aren't that identical. The threads were different between the two.

Thanks everyone, you got my wheels turning.