New forum for 3D printers, engravers and laser cutters

[Wizcrafts]

Johanna and I have created this new category under Fabrication for people to discuss computer driven 3D printers, engravers, mills and laser cutters. You can also share information about software, drawing tablets, file formats, apps and shared CAD file resources.

I have moved some existing topics into this forum to get it going.

If you are not yet a member of Leatherworker.net and want to join the discussions, please sign up to become a member! It's free to join. If you do, please fill in the details field for your location.

At this time, this is not a place for selling equipment. Please post any equipment for sale somewhere under the Marketplace section of LWN. Thank you in advance.

Enjoy!

[BDAZ]

I have been toying with the idea of getting a 3D printer for a few years. I had some stamps made by a local geek that said "Sedona" which I used to crank out some tourista stuff for a shop in Sedona. The "resolution" was ok but I would like to print more intracate designs for stamps. Do you think that's easily doable on a home system?

I attend a couple of wide format printing shows annually and they are starting to show industrial grade 3D printers made by some of the leading digital printer manufacturers and they are impressive. 

What's your opinion Wiz??

 

Bob

[Wizcrafts]

Bob;

We have a friend who owns a small 3D printer. He burned some leather stamps (H.D.) for us in different types of plastic stock. The first one was not deep enough and was too soft. The shallow letters bent after two tries in moistened leather. The next stamp had much deeper letters (~1/8") and was made with a tougher plastic stock. This stamp has promise. I still hope to see if he can print with Delrin or something similar. Delrin stamps that we had made by a machine shop hold up really well.

The bottom line is use cheaper plastic strands to get in the ballpark, then print the final product with the toughest plastic that is practical for your printer's heat/efficiency ratings. Any printed letter or figure stamping dies may need to be about 1/8 inch deep

[BDAZ]

The stamps I had #D Printed were from ABS and were fine, just that the surface was not absolutely smooth and left a texture. One was 6" and the other 3". Very good point about the fine detail. Might be either a waste of $$ and time or a long slippery slope like my first belt that turned into a leather business. (Billed $2k this week). 

BTW I have picked up the bass and just purchased a U-bass and an electric upright...fun!!

Bob

[dikman]

Making stamps is an interesting thought. There are different types of filament available including one with carbon fibre in it, which should be pretty tough. I made an inertial bullet puller using the "standard" PLA filament and am surprised at how much abuse the PLA can take, although for a stamp it probably won't be smooth enough (although the surface can be sanded a bit).

I really need to learn how to design things....

[SheltathaLore]

As awesome as 3D printing is, I'd personally favor a milling machine for something like stamps.  You have a lot more material options for durability.

[BDAZ]

The stamps made from ABS are very durable but simple text with no fine detail. I found sanding didn't help. I suppose one could use a filler or maybe heat but not on a fine design.

[JerseyFirefighter]

I've used a mix of delrin and acrylic on my laser. Delrin does not cut as easily as acrylic, however both have held up very well to hundreds of presses. 

[RockyAussie]

2 hours ago, BDAZ said:

The stamps made from ABS are very durable but simple text with no fine detail. I found sanding didn't help. I suppose one could use a filler or maybe heat but not on a fine design.

I have not tried it but I would think if you took the bed temp up high and place the print down on it for a while being weighted down it may be possible to smooth out the lines. It would have to cool off in place of course.

[BDAZ]

I didn't print the stamps..it was done by a 15 year old geek..