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?

Evan_Reese

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

Evan_Reese

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.