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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nA couple of weeks ago, community member Norm was tasked with fabricating a rubber stamp for a community organization. A lesser-known fact about laser engravers is that they are perfect for making stamps! The lasering software supports \u201cstamp mode\u201d which etches away layers of rubber, leaving behind the stamp design that is raised above the rubber substrate. In addition, thin vertical shapes in the design are beveled wider at the base to strengthen them, like mountain peaks. Some of the beveling can be seen in the example below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Norm created the stamp design at home as 2D clipart, then imported and cleaned up the design with Corel DRAW in the 3D Lab. The image was reversed, then lasered onto inexpensive rubber carving material from Pat Catan\u2019s. The first iteration turned out nicely:<\/p>\n\n\n\n It took about five passes at medium laser intensity to progressively etch the rubber without melting it. Norm used a utility knife to cut the stamp into a round shape, though we found later that the laser can easily cut that as well. The laser engraver is also perfect for making a wooden handle! We found a design on Thingiverse<\/a> that fit the bill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are interested in creating rubber stamps of your own, stop by the 3D Lab! You can buy dedicated rubber stamp material here<\/a> or can try Pat Catan\u2019s rubber carving material from your local store.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We had the pleasure of meeting Ben from the University of Virginia. He works in the Department of Art with an interest in archaeology. Using the 3D printers in the lab, Ben designed and produced miniature maps of active excavation sites and period art pieces, such as votives and pottery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The excavation site replicas were printed on our plastic filament based 3D printers, while the votive and vase were reproduced on the high resolution resin printer<\/a> in the lab. Resin printers involve a tray of liquid resin that is selectively hardened with a fast moving laser. Objects are literally created and lifted out of the tray as seen here<\/a>, resulting in detailed prints. Once printed, Department of Art staff painted the vase using an onscreen image as a guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3D printers allow these delicate pieces to be accurately reproduced and handled by the public without risk to the original. Many thanks to Ben for giving the 3D Labs a chance to make his ideas a reality!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Earlier this year, the 3D Lab was invited to go \u201con the road\u201d to visit Girl Scout Troop 1695 in Wooster for a guest presentation. The scouts were very polite and interested in the portable 3D printer that was brought to their meeting. There were lots of questions about how 3D printers work, their real-world application, and how anyone can become an engineer with simply an idea, enthusiasm to learn, and a dose of creativity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blogs.uakron.edu\/waynec3\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1058\/2018\/09\/1st-try2-300x225.jpg\")
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