http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php Shapeways: Bring your creativity to life in 3D http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=41712&th=7777#msg_41712 If the 3D model has engraving (like in jewlery) , what is the minimum width of that engraving if the model is silver or steel (or any metal you work with for that matter) ?

Is it possible to produce the model in two colors (silver and gold) ? I am thinking of use a silver core and covered with gold color material, the engraving can produce 2 colors...

Thanks,
Was]]> wasaad 2012-01-11T22:41:19-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=41718&th=7777#msg_41718 Silver Design Rules. That should answer your questions about depth/width.

Steel has separate design rules, and different limitations.

Gold is only offered as a plating option on steel, and no, you can't mix metals at this time.]]> stonysmith 2012-01-12T00:04:57-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=41722&th=7777#msg_41722 Youknowwho4eva 2012-01-12T01:14:02-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=41782&th=7777#msg_41782
I have often thought that narrow 3d printed lines (grooves) could be back filled with contrasting metals. This however would still need to be done by hand but, spectacular results would be possible. Contrasting solders could be flowed into grooves or pockets on the design then the surfaces ground down to an even plane. Small diameter wire of brass, copper, silver, or gold could be hammered into narrow groves with the same result.
-G
]]> GlenG 2012-01-12T16:48:11-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=41788&th=7777#msg_41788 heat coloured and then raised areas ground/polished back to give good contrast - seeStainless Steel Dice - the gaps (note: gaps not engraving) are around 0.4mm.
]]> stop4stuff 2012-01-12T17:52:31-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=41795&th=7777#msg_41795 will print at .4mm, maybe even finer than that. It's just that loose powder leftover from the print process can sometime remain lodged in random areas of the grooves making for less than perfect results. Also sometimes during bronze infiltration very narrow grooves can be drowned out. A lot depends on the overall design. A broad flat surface inscribed with a design or pattern composed of line widths less than .5mm is likely to have some flaws. Whether this is acceptable or not is up to the individual designer.
-G

]]> GlenG 2012-01-12T19:19:15-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=41798&th=7777#msg_41798 )

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