Minimalist Dot Peen Marking

[mklotz]

Elaborate designs are easy. Minimalist designs can be very hard. It has taken me over 10 years
to arrive at my minimalist electronic edge finder.

Mark Twain said “I didn’t have time to write you a short letter so
wrote you a long one.”

"Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away." - Antoine de Saint-Exupery

[rgsparber]

"Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away." - Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Outstanding quote!

I’ve saved that one.

Thanks,

Rick

[MasterMaker]

If the user has a 3D printer, why not just print the entire tag?

Rick

Same could be said if one has a label printer(probably more people with 3D printers than label-printers), why not just stick on the label and give it a clear-coat to seal it and give it some durability.

The disadvantage of a 3D print over marking the actual metal is less wear durability and having to glue it on, would also need to use paint to give it better contrast to make it legible so more work. A 3D printed punch template is basically the same as your approach with a bit more control/ease of use(getting tired towards the end having detrimental results on concentration and the result is less of an issue..) and flexibility..

[rgsparber]

Same could be said if one has a label printer(probably more people with 3D printers than label-printers), why not just stick on the label and give it a clear-coat to seal it and give it some durability.

The disadvantage of a 3D print over marking the actual metal is less wear durability and having to glue it on, would also need to use paint to give it better contrast to make it legible so more work. A 3D printed punch template is basically the same as your approach with a bit more control/ease of use(getting tired towards the end having detrimental results on concentration and the result is less of an issue..) and flexibility..

I agree that label makers are rare but one could print onto plain paper and use some glue or double-sided tape. I often use Elmer's purple glue sticks which are washable.

I do see value in making a template when the characters will be stamped more than once. 3D printing this template would have its challenges. If the dimensions were not right, the punch would hit the plastic. If this plastic was soft, that would be fine. If hard, it would tend to crack.

Inspired by your idea, I took a piece of aluminum shim stock and make a punch through it with my marking punch with a bit of pine backing it up. This created a bump on the backside. A second punch broke through. Then I put it on my belt sander to remove most of the burr. The result was a proof of concept for a template. I then printed a label with a single letter which I stuck on the aluminum. After hitting each dot twice with the punch and sanding off the burrs, I have a template for this letter.

I plan to make another template with my initials for quick and accurate marking. When I write this up, I'll be sure to give you credit.

Thanks,

Rick