Can the LUNYEE 3020 Nova Engrave Aluminum and Brass? Tools, Settings, and Tips

The LUNYEE 3020 Nova is a desktop CNC router designed for woodworking, engraving, and DIY projects. Its 710W trim router offers six speed settings from 6,000 to 30,000 RPM, allowing it to handle suitable aluminum and brass engraving tasks when used with appropriate cutting tools and machining conditions.

The results of CNC engraving on aluminum and brass depend on the material, cutter geometry, spindle speed, feed rate, cutting depth, and workpiece stability. This guide explains suitable engraving applications for the 3020 Nova, how to choose CNC bits for aluminum and brass, and how to address common machining problems.

Which Materials Can the 3020 Nova Engrave?

The 3020 Nova can handle different engraving tasks depending on the material, cutting tool, and machining setup. For aluminum, both shallow engraving and deeper engraving are possible under suitable conditions. Brass is also suitable for various decorative and lettering projects.

Material	Suitable Applications	Key Considerations
Aluminum	Nameplates, lettering, logos, decorative patterns, grooves, and recessed designs	Use suitable cutters and keep each downward cutting pass at or below 2 mm
Brass	Labels, lettering, logos, decorative patterns, and grooves	Secure the workpiece and test the machining settings
PCB blanks	Isolation routing and circuit prototyping	Maintain board flatness and establish an accurate Z-zero

Before machining the final workpiece, test the cutter and cutting conditions on scrap material. Results may vary depending on the material grade, tool geometry, and machine setup.

 

 

CNC Bits for Aluminum Engraving

Choosing the right CNC bit is essential for achieving clean aluminum engraving. The cutter should match the design, required groove width, and amount of material to be removed.

Choosing a Cutter for Aluminum Engraving

For lettering, logos, and decorative lines, use a sharp engraving cutter or V-bit designed for aluminum. These tools can produce fine details and narrow grooves.

A carbide flat end mill designed for aluminum is a practical option for grooves with a defined width and flat bottom. It can also be used for deeper recessed designs when the cutter, toolpath, and machining conditions are suitable.

Choose the cutter according to the required result. Fine lettering and narrow lines generally require different tool geometry from wider grooves or recessed areas.

Aluminum CNC Engraving Depth, Speed, and Feed Rate

The 3020 Nova's 710W trim router has six speed settings ranging from 6,000 to 30,000 RPM. However, a higher spindle speed does not automatically produce better aluminum engraving results. Spindle speed, feed rate, cutting depth, and cutter geometry must work together.

For aluminum engraving, the downward cutting depth of each pass must not exceed 2 mm. This is the maximum depth for a single pass, not a limit on the total depth of the finished design. For deeper grooves or recessed patterns, remove material through multiple passes, with each pass staying within this limit.

The appropriate depth for an individual pass depends on the cutter diameter, flute geometry, material, feed rate, and workpiece stability. A smaller cutting depth may be necessary for fine details, small-diameter cutters, or less stable setups.

Aluminum chips can accumulate around the cutting edge and interfere with machining. Check that chips can clear the cutting area, and stop the machine before inspecting or removing them.

Dry cutting may be appropriate for some light engraving operations, depending on the cutter and machining conditions. Do not introduce cutting fluid or mist unless its use is compatible with the machine and its electrical components.

Before starting an aluminum engraving project:

lConfirm that the cutter is suitable for aluminum.

lSecure the workpiece firmly.

lVerify the toolpath and cutter clearance.

lSet the cutting depth for each pass to no more than 2 mm.

lTest the machining conditions on scrap aluminum before proceeding with the final design.

 

For a real-world example, watch this LUNYEE 3020 Nova aluminum engraving demonstration to see the machine engraving aluminum.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJa6TZBBnZ0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRvRYtmBF-A

 

 

Brass Engraving with the 3020 Nova

Brass is suitable for a range of decorative CNC engraving projects, including nameplates, labels, lettering, logos, and shallow or recessed patterns. The achievable result depends on the brass alloy, cutter geometry, machining conditions, and workpiece stability.

For a real-world example, watch this LUNYEE 3020 Nova brass engraving demonstration to see the machine in action.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAAH8lLhJBs

Choosing CNC Bits for Brass Engraving

For fine lettering and decorative details, use a sharp engraving cutter or V-bit suitable for brass. A flat end mill is better suited to grooves that require a defined width and flat bottom.

Select the cutter according to the design rather than assuming that one bit is suitable for every engraving task. Fine lettering generally requires different tool geometry from wider recessed designs.

For deeper or wider grooves, remove material in multiple passes instead of making one aggressive cut. The appropriate cutting depth depends on the cutter, material, and machining setup. Test the selected settings on a spare piece of the same or a comparable brass material before machining the final workpiece.

Inspect the test cut for consistent depth, clean edges, and excessive burrs. If the result is rough, check the cutter condition, workpiece stability, and cutting conditions before continuing.

 

Securing Brass for CNC Engraving

Secure brass firmly to prevent movement during machining. Even small shifts can affect lettering accuracy, damage the cutter, or produce inconsistent engraving.

Position clamps outside the toolpath and confirm that the cutter has sufficient clearance throughout the operation. Make sure the workpiece sits securely against its supporting surface before setting Z-zero.

Start with conservative cutting conditions and inspect the first test cut. If engraving depth varies or the edges are rough, stop the machine and check the workpiece, cutter, and setup before continuing.

 

 

Can the LUNYEE 3020 Nova Engrave PCBs?

The LUNYEE 3020 Nova can also be used for PCB isolation routing on copper-clad boards. This process removes selected areas of copper to separate circuit traces, making it suitable for some DIY electronics and prototyping projects.

A suitable V-bit or PCB engraving cutter can be used for isolation routing. Because the copper layer is thin, accurate Z-axis zeroing and a level work surface are important for achieving consistent results. If the cutting depth varies across the board, the cutter may fail to remove enough copper in some areas or cut too deeply in others.

After machining, inspect the board and use a multimeter to check for unintended connections or broken traces. Clean up copper debris and dust carefully before handling the finished PCB.

 

Common CNC Engraving Problems and Solutions

Several factors can contribute to the same machining problem. Use the following table to identify possible causes and corrective actions.

Problem	Possible Cause	Recommended Action
Rough or uneven engraving	Unsuitable cutter, unstable workpiece, or inappropriate cutting conditions	Check the cutter, workholding, spindle speed, and feed rate
Excessive burrs	Cutter condition, unsuitable geometry, or poor cutting conditions	Inspect the cutting edge and test alternative settings
Inconsistent engraving depth	Uneven surface or inaccurate Z-zero	Check workpiece flatness and reset Z-zero
Cutter breakage	Excessive cutting load or unsuitable tooling	Reduce the cutting load and review the cutter and toolpath
Material buildup on the cutter	Poor chip removal or unsuitable cutting conditions	Stop the machine, clear chips safely, and review the setup
Workpiece movement	Insufficient clamping or an unstable fixture	Improve clamping and check workpiece stability

When troubleshooting, change one setting at a time and test the result. This makes it easier to identify which adjustment improves the machining process.

 

 

Safety and Maintenance

Wear appropriate eye protection and keep hands, loose clothing, and other objects away from moving parts. Stop the machine before adjusting the setup, inspecting the cutter, or removing chips.

Before each job, check the cutter, collet, clamps, workpiece, and work area. Use a stable workbench and follow the machine and tooling instructions. Metal chips can have sharp edges, so allow them to cool and use suitable tools to remove them with the machine stopped.

When machining PCB materials, take additional precautions to prevent dust from being inhaled or spreading through the workspace.

 

 

Final Thoughts

The LUNYEE 3020 Nova can handle suitable aluminum and brass engraving projects, including nameplates, lettering, logos, grooves, and decorative patterns. Aluminum can be engraved both shallowly and more deeply under suitable machining conditions, provided that each downward cutting pass does not exceed 2 mm. Deeper designs can be produced through multiple passes.

The machine can also be used for PCB isolation routing with compatible software and appropriate tooling. For consistent results, choose a cutter suited to the material and design, secure the workpiece, and use appropriate machining conditions. Test the setup before machining the final workpiece and adjust the process based on the results.