Need Font To Laser Cut Part Number

[potter87]

I would like to use our LVD laser to cut part numbers into sheet metal parts for identification purposes. So far I haven't found a font that would cut properly in the sheet metal part file. Does anyone have any tricks or suggestions for adding and cutting words into sheet metal.

Thanks, Jim

 

[ctopher]

We tried that here and we can't find a font yet that works. I DXF a dwg with the text, then import it back and position onto the part as geometry. Then export back out to DXF if you need the part as ref. Or just export the text as DXF for the operator to position. Depending on your setup.

 

[DesignSmith]

TC Fonts run by Dave Edwards Consulting is trying to push some of its work as a new CAD font standard.

http://www.tcfonts.com/

You might email Dave directly and ask if it has ever been tested for laser cutting.
dave@tcfonts.com
If you transfer files alot between different systems or platforms, it can sometimes be worth buying the proper font.


DesignSmith

http://www.DesignSmith-Services.com

 

[TheTick]

How about a stencil font of some sort? A quick search on Google.com using keyword font stencil turned up gobs of possibilities.

Due to illness, the part of The Tick will be played by... The Tick.

http://www.EsoxRepublic.com

 

[MadMango]

We use our laser, but do not cut through the material, we only etch the part numbers into the surface (.010" deep). Most fonts work with this method, perhaps that is something to consider. By cutting through the material, you lose letters that create closed-loops (like O, B, 9, 4, etc). You probably have to find a "stencil" font, that leaves small bits of connecting material no there are no closed-loops.

Ray Reynolds
"There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home."
Ken Olson, president, chairman and founder of Digital Equipment Corp., 1977
Have you read faq731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

 

[SBaugh]

Why not use the wrap function using very thin text "arial thin" and do a scribe on to the surface?

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP

http://www.3dvisiontech.com

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

faq731-376

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

potter87
What exactly do you mean by "I haven't found a font that would cut properly in the sheet metal part file" ?

What is the difference between laser cutting to a line/curve which represents the outline of a letter and a line/curve which represents the outline of a hole?

When you place your Text onto you part model face you can RMB the text & Dissolve it into lines & curves. Then you can clean up any unwanted elements which create closed loops or you can leave it as is, do your Extrude cut and then delete the unwanted Multibodies

from (the City of) Barrie, Ontario.

Everyone has a photographic memory. Some just don't have film.

 

[rocheey]

>> We use our laser, but do not cut through the material,
>> we only etch the part numbers into the surface (.010" deep).

same here. Or just MicroJoint the HELL out of it. But if these lasered fonts arent for 'government work' (Most are haa haa) have you considered an NC Macro (assuming you have Macro B installed?)

What I did, when there were numbers only, was to whip up some 1" High simple numnerals, output each as an incremental routine, and pass the number to your macro.

I stored the original number in a '500 series' variable, stripped off each digit one by one by dividing the number by 10, getting the single digit to the right of the decimal point, and then resetting thew number to its integer value.

I used something like this to continually machine consecutively increasing numbers into each part.