Single line font for laser profiling of part numbers

[dbarber]

Hi All 

Does anyone know of a single line font that is resident in Ironcad that I can use? I will extrude the sketch through the part, our laser profiler can tell the laser to mark rather than cut. The outline fonts use too much laser time.

Thanks Dave 

[Jonas@Solidmakarna]

Here are some that we mention on our support blog (in English) - https://en.solidmakarna.se/supportblogg/20-gratis-typsnitt-for-laserskarning

Though I'm not sure about if any of them is a true "single line".

Edited September 8, 2023 by Jonas@Solidmakarna

[Malcolm Crowe]

Hi Dave,

An alternative to Single Line TrueType Fonts (*.ttf) is to use Shape Fonts (*.shx), which are all genuine Single Line Fonts. However, you need to be aware that IRONCAD's 2D Sketch and Drawing (ICD) don't work with Shape Fonts. They are limited to whatever TrueType Fonts are installed in the Windows\Font directory of your PC. CAXA on the other hand can use both TrueType and Shape Fonts.

Depending on how you generate your DXFs you have the following options:

1. Create split faces on your 3D part, using a 2D Sketch in combination with the Split Face tool. The disadvantage of this approach is that Split Faces are lost when you unfold a sheet metal part. So, this option isn't the best for sheet metal parts (we know this from experience).

2. You create the desired etching (which can be text and lines) as a 2D Sketch, and then project that 2D Sketch along with the Solid Geometry within your Generated Views in CAXA (or ICD). We've used this approach many times when we want to etch lines for the positioning of other parts during fabrication. This would work for text also, but the next option is easier.

3. Simply add the desired text (using a Shape Font) to the Generated View within CAXA, before saving as a DXF.

If you choose to use a Shape Font (*.shx), this will need to be saved in the folder that CAXA is looking at for its fonts. CAXA includes 4 Shape Fonts within its Program Files which will automatically list within your font options, but these fonts are specific to CAXA (so won't be recognized by other software unless they add them). I suggest that you use a Shape Font that is commonly installed within other CAD software (like AUTOCAD and other DWG Editors). An example being isocp.shx (which I have attached here).

Finally, if you ever want to use a Shape Font within an IRONCAD 2D Sketch, you need to create the text in CAXA first (using the desired Shape Font). Then you need to "explode" the text, using the Explode tool. This converts the font characters into simple geometry, that can then be easily recognized by the 2D Sketch during importing.

Malcolm

isocp.shx

CAD - Fonts - 20230911.pdf

Edited September 13, 2023 by Malcolm Crowe