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Alternative to Slaters

Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2020 10:03 am
by Adrian Harris
The M3 and Chieftain are covered in cast parts which have letters, numbers and symbols cast into them.

The usual method to replicate these is to use Slaters plastic alphabet characters, but I wondered if it would be possible to replicate them using a DLP printer.

These letters are 2.81mm tall and 0.5mm thick. The idea was to try and make a sprue from which letters could be selected.

20200614_095102.jpg

I've had to spray them with grey primer as I'm currently trying out a translucent resin for making tank optics.

They were printed flat to the bed, so the next attempt will be at 45 degrees to see if that helps with the resolution.

I've had better success printing them onto a flat support panel and got that down to 0.2mm thick, with much better resolution on the letters.

However, the problem then becomes getting the part off the supports without destroying it. Still working on that one :oops:

At least with DLP you can cover the bed with duplicate parts and it doesn't affect the printing time.

Adrian.

Re: Alternative to Slaters

Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2020 2:48 pm
by Michael Röder
Hello Adrian!

I use the same method for my castings / lettering.

Michael

Re: Alternative to Slaters

Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2020 4:40 pm
by Adrian Harris
Good to know Michael :D :D

What size lettering have you managed ?

It looks like yours are also printed flat to the bed. Have you ever tried angling them ?

Adrian.

Re: Alternative to Slaters

Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2020 4:55 pm
by Vince Cutajar
Looks like Michael's lettering is printed on vertical supports so not touching the bed.

Vince

Re: Alternative to Slaters

Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2020 7:14 pm
by Adrian Harris
I should have said parallel to the bed.

Adrian.

Re: Alternative to Slaters

Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2020 7:49 pm
by Michael Röder
The letter size is 2,0 mm, 0,5 mm thick.
They are printed with thin vertical supports. So it is easier to eliminate the supports.
The disadvantage of resin print is that the parts a brittle.
I use a Elegoo Mars Printer.
Greetings from Germany
Michael