Bridging Fonts for Plasma Cutting

[TheFuzz]

I'm not sure where to post this question. If this is the right place or not. Is there a rule of thumb for size of a bridge when bridging fonts? I have had a few fonts fall out.

[adbuch]

I'm not sure where to post this question. If this is the right place or not. Is there a rule of thumb for size of a bridge when bridging fonts? I have had a few fonts fall out.

Are you asking about stenciling the letters or bridging the letters to the main part?
David

[TheFuzz]

I'm not sure where to post this question. If this is the right place or not. Is there a rule of thumb for size of a bridge when bridging fonts? I have had a few fonts fall out.

Are you asking about stenciling the letters or bridging the letters to the main part?
David

Sir
If you could explain what size on both would we be helpful.

[adbuch]

[TheFuzz]

Ok makes sense now. Rule of thumb for the stencils size?

[adbuch]

Ok makes sense now. Rule of thumb for the stencils size?

Big enough so the center won't fall out. It depends on the size of your letters, and how you want them to look. There are different kinds of stencils you can do. For the 1" and 2" tall letters like the ones I show below, I would probably go with something like this.

Also - for smaller letters and details - using the FineCut consumables (or equivalent) will allow for better, more precise detailed cuts.

David

[TheFuzz]

Ok makes sense now. Rule of thumb for the stencils size?

Big enough so the center won't fall out. It depends on the size of your letters, and how you want them to look. There are different kinds of stencils you can do. For the 1" and 2" tall letters like the ones I show below, I would probably go with something like this.

Also - for smaller letters and details - using the FineCut consumables (or equivalent) will allow for better, more precise detailed cuts.

David

text stencils.jpg

David
Thank you again, this really helps. The way you explain with graphics is outstanding.

[adbuch]

Happy to help - as always! We will look forward to seeing your next project with the stenciled letters.

David

[TheFuzz]

Here is a project I added some stencils.

mustangs and moore stencil.svg

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mustangs and moore stencil.svg

(18.75 KiB) Downloaded 14 times

[adbuch]

[TheFuzz]

mustangs and more.jpg

I have a mustang, but not sure how to tackle it yet or how it is going to cut.

[adbuch]

mustangs and more.jpg

I have a mustang, but not sure how to tackle it yet or how it is going to cut.

What kind of Mustang do you have? Do you mean the real car or a file/drawing of a Mustang?
David

[TheFuzz]

mustangs and more.jpg

I have a mustang, but not sure how to tackle it yet or how it is going to cut.

What kind of Mustang do you have? Do you mean the real car or a file/drawing of a Mustang?
David

I have a drawing. Not sure how to start. I know the way it is now is not going to work.

mustang.svg

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mustang.svg

(46.14 KiB) Downloaded 8 times

[adbuch]

Here are some ideas for your consideration.

David

[hardworker]

Damn David! You do great work!

[TheFuzz]

Sir, Thank you for all your time. I like both your ideas. I'm going to be perfect honest, when I first saw the mustang I wasn't sure how I was going to start. Your illustrations are very helpful. How did you determine what areas were going to be a problem? Do you visually inspect or is there a computer program that helps with this? Once you find the problem areas like the wheels and the grill, did you use cut path? If I wanted to mount the mustang and the letters to the sign how would you mount them? Again I'm super appreciate all the time you have spent helping me.

[adbuch]

Sir, Thank you for all your time. I like both your ideas. I'm going to be perfect honest, when I first saw the mustang I wasn't sure how I was going to start. Your illustrations are very helpful. How did you determine what areas were going to be a problem? Do you visually inspect or is there a computer program that helps with this? Once you find the problem areas like the wheels and the grill, did you use cut path? If I wanted to mount the mustang and the letters to the sign how would you mount them? Again I'm super appreciate all the time you have spent helping me.

What programs are you using? I had assumed Inkscape and maybe SheetCam. Finding problem areas and correcting them will depend on what software you are using. I use Design Edge for some of my work, but most folks here don't have access to Design Edge unless they happen to own a Plasmacam table. Once I know exactly what programs you are using I will try to show you how to do this editing using the programs you are using.

David

[adbuch]

Damn David! You do great work!

Thanks Hardworker! The OP supplied the oval sign with letters and the Mustang file. All I did was a little bit of editing and show him some examples of some different methods he could use to create his finished sign. But in any case, happy to help if I can.

David

[adbuch]

How did you determine what areas were going to be a problem? Do you visually inspect or is there a computer program that helps with this?

I visually inspect it, and also use Plasmacam Design Edge to quickly identify islands and other problems. When Design Edge creates the cut paths, it will not generate cut paths for islands and these show up in red once the cut paths are generated.

But since you probably don't have access to Design Edge, I am assuming that you are using Inkscape for your editing. If you use something else, let us know so we can show you how to accomplish some of this with your particular cad program.

The main thing here is to look for "Islands". An island is a feature contained within an internal closed path (internal to the outer perimeter of the part). When the internal closed paths are cut, any other feature contained within that closed path will fall out as well when cut (along with the inside portion -drop out - of the internal closed path).

Here is an example.

This situation can be corrected by creating a bridge between the island and the main part. Something like this.

[adbuch]

Once you find the problem areas like the wheels and the grill, did you use cut path?

From your question, I am assuming you are referring to the Inkscape "Path, Cut Path" tool. The answer is "Yes". I used the Cut Path tool for the wheels and the grille. For the turn signal I used manual node editing to add additional nodes, delete path segments between nodes, and then join the nodes and combine the paths back together.

Here are some screen shots showing most of the steps.

David

[adbuch]

[adbuch]

[adbuch]

If I wanted to mount the mustang and the letters to the sign how would you mount them? Again I'm super appreciate all the time you have spent helping me.

If you are planning to cut the letters separately and then attach them to the oval, then you would not need to stencil the letters. For that method, I would recommend using an engraver or Easyscriber to scribe the letters into the oval backer, then you can use these scribed letters as "templates" to make sure your letters are lined up when you attach them to the oval backer.

If you are cutting the letters into the backer, then the stenciled versions as you have showed are what you would use.

For the mustang - assuming you are attaching it as a separate piece (after painting) then some sort of epoxy would work well. Some of the others here would know exactly what brand to use.

Here is the link to the Google Drive slide show containing the screen shots I posted above.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/JG5hPLJqpbsvFtQZ7

David

[TheFuzz]

If I wanted to mount the mustang and the letters to the sign how would you mount them? Again I'm super appreciate all the time you have spent helping me.

If you are planning to cut the letters separately and then attach them to the oval, then you would not need to stencil the letters. For that method, I would recommend using an engraver or Easyscriber to scribe the letters into the oval backer, then you can use these scribed letters as "templates" to make sure your letters are lined up when you attach them to the oval backer.

If you are cutting the letters into the backer, then the stenciled versions as you have showed are what you would use.

For the mustang - assuming you are attaching it as a separate piece (after painting) then some sort of epoxy would work well. Some of the others here would know exactly what brand to use.

Here is the link to the Google Drive slide show containing the screen shots I posted above.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/JG5hPLJqpbsvFtQZ7

David

islands 21.jpg

Your explanations are outstanding!! You have taught me a ton. Very unusual now adays to find someone who puts the time in to help someone without getting paid. Thank you very much!!

Yes, I'm using Inkscape and Sheetcam. I haven't had much time to spend on the computer editing the mustang as you have shown. I hope this next week, I will have time and I can share with you. I like you idea regarding you a scriber on the back plate if I was going to cut the letters out and attach them. I did pull the trigger and ordered an Easyscriber. Thank you again!

[adbuch]

Happy to try to help! This stuff is great fun, so I don't mind at all. Your success is payment enough for me. Let us know how you make out as you progress with this project. Is this an interior display piece or an actual large sized sign you will display outside your business?

Thanks,
David