How do I create lettering where the overhang is controlled?

gene_risi

I am trying to "engrave" a name into a cylinder of plastic ( think of engraving on a wedding ring for the orientation of the engraving relative to the ring). The resulting model will be 3d printed with the z-axis the same as the direction the circle was extruded to create the cylinder. How can I "create" a font such that there are no overhangs greater than 45 degrees?

EvanReese

Depending on how shallow the overhang, your printer might just handle it without following the 45° rule of thumb. I've done some similar stuff and it worked out alright. I think debossed letters would work better than embossed.

I've also had some luck using parting line draft at 45° using the right plane as a direction (knowing I'm going to print Top plane up). mine was on a curved surface, but not a complete wrap, and the lettering wasn't so complex, so I got away with it.

In your case, depending on text complexity, maybe you can just chamfer the bottom face of the letter pocket? check out this part studio here

EvanReese

Depending on how shallow the overhang, your printer might just handle it without following the 45° rule of thumb. I've done some similar stuff and it worked out alright. I think debossed letters would work better than embossed.

I've also had some luck using parting line draft at 45° using the right plane as a direction (knowing I'm going to print Top plane up). mine was on a curved surface, but not a complete wrap, and the lettering wasn't so complex, so I got away with it.

In your case, depending on text complexity, maybe you can just chamfer the bottom face of the letter pocket? check out this part studio here

gene_risi

Thank you very much! The "open sans" font is the right one to use. Other fonts have sections which prohibit a nice consistent chamfer amount for all of the edges of the letters.