Stamps - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2021, 11:52:52 pm
content: I need to make some quite small (15mm across) stamps. I can do that in PLA no problem, but PLA is a bit rigid and what I really need is the rubbery kind of stuff that real stamps are made from. Is there a filament for this?

author: CatalinaWOW
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2021, 11:58:06 pm
content: The softest I have used is TPU, and it would at best be marginal for stamps. There is a little give to it so depending on how you want to use your stamps it might work. If your printer uses a Bowden tube printing with rubbery materials is very challenging.

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2021, 12:11:54 am
content: It's kind of direct drive so I don't think feed would be a problem.What I'm actually trying to do is brand woodwork. Making a brass brand would be rather tricky since it would require a tiny bit. Chemical branding (which is what the stamp is for) might work but experiments suggest the transfer from pad to wood is very suboptimal. The only other way I can think of doing it is with a laser, but that's expensive, reasonably dangerous and would require plumbing for debris extraction (it would be one of the 5W galvo jobs).Thought about making a PCB with enough vias to get a hot plate on the back heating the tracks, but don't think there would be the thermal capacity and the FR4 would probably get too hot as well.

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2021, 12:23:41 am
content: Print a mold, then cast them in a reasonably hard rubber. You'll probably need to very lightly wax the mold to get them to release cleanly. a spritz of furniture polish brushed around the mold and let dry should do the job.If you are careful to choose the right rubber sealant to cast with, you can adhesive bond it to a 3D printed backing plate or stamp body when you mold it.As an alternative, what about a stencil and spray paint? You can easily print the stencil then tape it to a cutout in a larger sheet of plastic to shield from overspray. Its probably worth experimenting with wood stain applied with an air brush to get better fine detail than spray paint in a can can offer.

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2021, 12:54:40 am
content: There's a great idea, thanks! Maybe I should print a former to make the mold in silicone, then the rubber should could out a bit easier. Either way, should be simple enough to tryThought about a stencil but the detail might be too fine to be able to create one. Also, charred wood is the desired end result rather than paint or stain.

author: beanflying
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2021, 11:23:34 am
content: Fairly common to Laser engrave Rubber and the stock is cheap. I have a few bits in the to be played with pile for my spare timeI would just sub the job out last custom stamp I had done a few years ago was really cheap and self inking.

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2021, 01:34:33 pm
content: Yeah, but I don't have a laser (otherwise we'd burn it directly in to the wood).At least, I didn't. Succumbed to temptation and a small Neje is on the way

author: Robert_322
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 12, 2021, 11:02:23 am
content: Hey, talking about stamps, how or where do you create the designs? In the beginning, I used to make them manually and it was taking me some time to finish one. But I found this sitehttps://mystampready.com/en/constructor/that helps me to make stamp png in just some clicks. Now I can take more and more orders. By the way, thanks for the suggestions you gave, I wanted to try to make them on wood but didn't know how.

author: beanflying
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 12, 2021, 11:36:35 am
content: Quote from: Robert_322 on October 12, 2021, 11:02:23 amReally depends on the process you are going to make the stamp/tool with and out of what material.Typically with Laser software you can Raster or Vector (edge detect if needed) an Image then engrave the parts away you don't want marked. This can be a single engrave pass or more likely a couple of lighter passes for more of a tapered side on the the then raised section. The following from Russ is a good guide for the basics,For CNC plenty of options from making a complete 3D model then generate a tool path for routing or engraving. CAD type solutions have some major pluses even if you turn them into a Laser engrave file and that is crisp edges and graphics.This alternate option below was uploaded to Fusion then fed into a free mod to turn it into a 3D sculpted model. This as an example could be then CNC Routed or Rasterized then Laser engraved after some more cleanup depending on the look you wanted.https://github.com/hanskellner/Fusion360Image2SurfaceSo many ways to skin a cat

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 12, 2021, 11:42:50 am
content: I think it would depend on how you intend to make the physical stamp. For instance, if I am going to use a laser than just creating an image file (jpg, png, gif) would be fine since that's what the laser software can cope with easily. However, if I were going to mill it then I'd need to end up with g-code. For an image I might use Affinity Photo or Designer, for g-code I would probably draw it in TurboCAD and then generate the g-code with SheetCAM.Of course, what you have sitting around would dictate the precise details for your usage. I suspect someone may be along shortly to suggest something like Fusion 360[Edit: happened while I was typing...]

author: beanflying
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 12, 2021, 11:44:03 am
content: Quote from: dunkemhigh on October 12, 2021, 11:42:50 amPRE SNAP

author: kosine
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 12, 2021, 01:52:24 pm
content: Ink beads off TPU, so won't work. You need something like EVA, SEBS or TPV (e.g. Santoprene). They carry ink quite well.

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 12, 2021, 01:55:40 pm
content: I've acquired a neoprene (I think) sheet to make the stamp from. Just completely making a laser installation and figuring out speeds and powers...