Military Squadron Crests
Mike, you don't have a machine yet - and you've never used one before ??
just to offer some options: (disclaimer: I am not a CNC guy).
fabricate the project in pieces with whatever tools/machines that will get it done.
for the ribbon part, use 3/16" PVC sheet and engrave the lettering into it.
then with a heat gun, gently soften the PVC bend it into the shape you need.
once cooled, it will retain the shape. then paint by hand with oil paints.
the ribbon would be fabricated last after all the elements were assembled.
if you undertook this project, what materials would you make it out of ??
here are two examples I did a few years ago.
the first photo: the graphics were made separately and glued to the shield.
then the AFNSEP was engraved into the PVC ribbon while it was flat with a hand-held router,
then heated with a heat gun and bent to shape, then attached to the shield
with a hidden bracket to hold it firmly in place.
(the blue and black background is crushed glass glued to the background).
the second photo: the shield was made by laminating 3 sheets of 1/4" birch plywood
together with wood glue.
all the elements were cut out separately and glued to the shield.
the ribbon was 3/16" PVC heated and bent to shape as the previous one was.
the ALLONS letters were cut out with a carving knife and glued to the ribbon.
although they look complicated, they were pretty easy to make and the customer was happy.
think outside the box to make it easy on yourself.
.