Getting Text onto a curved surface

[mcgyverit]

I have a handle cover that is made out of aluminum that has to have a Caution Note etched into it after it has been painted. I am trying to use the TEXT option but it the only way it works is by going all the way through the material instead of .030 deep like I need. We are still using 2003 and will soon be upgrading to 2004, can this be done in 2004?

Thanks
Steve

 

[rockguy]

Try this. use the text option like you were and then use the offset from surface end condition. Select the curved part of the handle as your surface and then offset it .030. Now a few things that may happen. If the feature fails the first time you may have your directions and direction to offset settings incorrect. Play with those first. If that still dosesn't work you may have a problem with the placement of the sketch on the surface. If the sketch is strattling a break like in the faces (it would then be cutting into (2) surfaces) then this will cause a problem. To fix that select the faces the sketch intersects and use the knit surface tool. Then select the knitted surface as your surface to offset. There is no reason why this shouldn't work in 2003.

 

[SBaugh]

In SW04 you can use a feature called Wrap. This feature allows for Emboss, Deboss, & Scribing into a part. Actually it's pretty darn neat... IMO.

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP
3DVision Technologies

http://www.3dvisiontech.com

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

faq731-376

 

[rockguy]

I guess I forgot to mention you should create a plane above your curved surface to insert your text sketch on. Then you can extrude down into the part as stated above.

Scott is right the new wrap feature in 2004 is easier and much cooler.

 

[mcgyverit]

Thanks for the help, I will give it a try today.

Steve

 

[mcgyverit]

It worked, sort of. In the flat state it work just fine but when I click the Process Bends to get the round shape of the handle, it would cut the text all the way through. So I just added the material back and it works just fine. Thanks for your help again.

Steve Rhea
Design Engineer
Essex Cryogenics
St. Louis, Mo

 

[rockguy]

Mcgyverit.

Sorry didn't know you were working on a sheetmetal part. The process I gave you was for solids. Glad it worked out though.

http://www.mikejwilson.com

has an example of creating text on a curved surface were he uses sheetmetal functionality to achieve it. It works similar to the way you have done it.