Rubber Stamp Workshop

Create your custom stamp completely from scratch using the Carvera (Air) with the 4th axis and laser module.

Warning when using the Laser: Lasers can be dangerous! Take care of appropriate safety precautions. Use laser safety goggles, prevent unauthorized access. Make yourself familiar with proper filtration of the potentially toxic fumes coming out of the rubber / wood.

You will need:

Materials:

20 mm thick wood
Stamp rubber sheet suitable for laser engraving
Double sided vhb tape
Self tapping wood screw 3x16mm
Wood glue

Tools:

Drill 2mm
Power drill
CNC Machine
Laser module
4th axis module
3.175mm x 25mm endmill
3.175 x 0.25 mm ball nose (a bigger sized or a v-bit will also work, you have to adapt in the CAM Software)

Software:

Freecad: Included is the Freecad file with the complete parametric history, so you can change the size for your text or logo. There is also the toolpath for the handle body in the cam module.
Inkscape: To design the text/logo and prepare for the laser
Rayforge: To create the laser toolpath
Makera Cam: To create the 4th axis toolpath for the round grip.

Files:

Down load the stamp.zip file for all the source files. Contents:

stamp.FCStd: the Freecad model file with the 2.5d CNC toolpath
stamp-handle_grip.step: model file of the round grip
stamp-handle_grip_tabs.step: model file of the round grip with tabs for the 4th axis machining
stamp-body_XXXxYYY.step: differently sized model files for the handle base
stamp-3d_print_**.step: for 3d-printing optimized complete handle with grip and base
/laser/abspacken.svg: Inkscape vector files for the sample “abspacken” text
/laser/abspacken.png: Graphics file for the sample “abspacken” text
/laser/abspacken.ryp: Rayforge project file for the sample “abspacken” text for rubber lasering
/laser/abspacken_wood.ryp: Rayforge project file for the sample “abspacken” text for the front wood lasering

In the CAM files:

*.mkc: Makera Cam Project files for the grip and the body of the handle

Customizing:

Text / Logo with inkscape:

Draw/Import your design with white text/logo and black background
Select all (STRG+A) → Objekt → flip horizontal
Select all (STRG+A) → Extension → Color → negative
Export → png 600dpi → background color -> black, alpha 100

Alternatively:

Draw/Import your design with white text/logo and black background
Save as inkscape file
Do the black/white inversion and flip in Rayforge

Dimensions with Freecad:

Open stamp.FCStd in Freecad
Select VarSet_body
Change width and length according to your text/logo design

Select handle_tabs → File → export → save as step
Select body → File → export → save as step
Import into Makera Cam
Check the example makera Cam mkc project files
For using Freecad: For the body (base): Select Cam toolbox from dropdown → select the body001 Toolpath object → click on eye icon to make it visible → CAM → Postprocess
- Check the zero point and toolbit library etc.
- Check the postprocessor is smoothie
- Check the opensource CNC youtube channel (@opensourcecnc) to get to know the Freecad CAM module