logo artwork in cad mold tooling
logo artwork in cad mold tooling
(OP)
We have a IGS cad file for a plastic cover plate component to be injection mold mfg.
We also have a jpg file for logo artwork which we would like as an expression (positive) image on the plastic component. The jpg is black and white. Where the image is black, we would like raised on the plastic cover about .020". I believe that the mold would then have to be cut down ~.020" deeper from the cover's surface where the image is black.
The mfg is making the mold tooling and has requested that the jpg be merged into the igs cad file.
Can anyone provide the steps to undertake or is there a different technique?
We also have a jpg file for logo artwork which we would like as an expression (positive) image on the plastic component. The jpg is black and white. Where the image is black, we would like raised on the plastic cover about .020". I believe that the mold would then have to be cut down ~.020" deeper from the cover's surface where the image is black.
The mfg is making the mold tooling and has requested that the jpg be merged into the igs cad file.
Can anyone provide the steps to undertake or is there a different technique?






RE: logo artwork in cad mold tooling
It's a little more complicated that that, but I hope you get the idea.
Dan
www.eltronresearch.com
Dan's Blog
RE: logo artwork in cad mold tooling
I've always inserted the bitmap image in a sketch, closed the sketch, started a new one, and traced over it with the SW sketch tools. Then copy the sketched logo sketch, paste it where you need it, scale/rotate it with the scale/rotate sketch tool, and extrude a cut or boss (whichever) to create the logo where you need it. Save the traced logo as its own part file so you can simply copy or modify it anytime in the future.
Jeff Mowry
www.industrialdesignhaus.com
A people who value security over freedom will soon find they have neither.
RE: logo artwork in cad mold tooling
Chris
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 08 3.1
AutoCAD 08
ctopher's home (updated Aug 5, 2008)
ctopher's blog
SolidWorks Legion
RE: logo artwork in cad mold tooling
I have found a software tool which will convert an image file to DXF. Would this make sense to use, then make the separate part file from this cad file.
Finally, merge the plastic component CAD and new dxf logo into a 3D CAD output file to be used for making the mold?
RE: logo artwork in cad mold tooling
If it doesn't work, you may need to use the manual methods illustrated above.
Jeff Mowry
www.industrialdesignhaus.com
A people who value security over freedom will soon find they have neither.
RE: logo artwork in cad mold tooling
We could never get it to work from a part.
Also, you have to look at the tooling used to machine the logo, if machined. The radius of the tool may be too big.
For molding, it's usually not an issue.
Chris
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 08 3.1
AutoCAD 08
ctopher's home (updated Aug 5, 2008)
ctopher's blog
SolidWorks Legion
RE: logo artwork in cad mold tooling
Jeff Mowry
www.industrialdesignhaus.com
A people who value security over freedom will soon find they have neither.
RE: logo artwork in cad mold tooling
Thanks,
Kyle
Kyle Chandler
www.chiefengineering.net
"To the Pessimist, the glass is half-empty. To the Optimist, the glass is half-full. To the Engineer, the glass is twice as large as it needs to be!"
RE: logo artwork in cad mold tooling
Autotrace is OK if the logo or image has clear and distinct colour separations (contrasts).
RE: logo artwork in cad mold tooling
Dan
www.eltronresearch.com
Dan's Blog
RE: logo artwork in cad mold tooling
The image which we intend to emboss to the cover is high contrast (sharp edge) black and white. We only want to raise the areas defined in black and are in process of making a sketch file per instructions above.
I feel that we can then set its z height, relative to the component surface to get the emboss height we desire.
I like the suggestion of making it a separate cad file which can be run on the tooling mill separately. We will also make a merged version in case.
I would call this issue resolved and once again thank you all for your invaluable contribution.
Regards,
Rj
RE: logo artwork in cad mold tooling
If not a vector based image, Creating a new part, inserting a sketch picture and tracing it, and then creating a block out of this sketch is another good way to go. Like the others said, images in jpeg comression is what you will often find, and these don't work well with auto trace because the edges have been reduced to array approximations of what the were originally were. Edges where black meets white, becomes gray. These are also horrible for use in decals because you can't image mask them.
I do like dxf. It has a special place in my heart, but they must be of good quality. Importing dxf into a SW drawing with convert to SW entities is the best way to go, and then copy pasting into a part, and converting to a block works well. If you have a lot of experience using dxf stuff, you know how to get the good stuff.
On a final note, once you burn something into a tool, It can be a pain to get out. Keep that in mind if you are going to use the plastics for different things or future products. Putting the model number seems like a good idea, but when you create the next spin of the product, you'll have to weld/fill/and polish the tool to update it, and then you can't make parts for the old model. Stay generic as possible.
too much time on eng-tips today. i really have a ton to do.
rfus
RE: logo artwork in cad mold tooling