Engraved and Embossed Feature Size for Markforged Composite Printers
A common print “Failure” that often leads to many questions is embossed or engraved features blending into the rest of the model or those dreaded gaps like the ones in the image of our printed part. You’re in luck today with our tech tip that will save you many headaches in the future: minimum engraved and embossed feature sizes.
An engraved feature is one that is recessed below the surface of the model. Common examples would be text or lettering. Engraved features may blend into the rest of the model if they are too small. To avoid your engraved features blending into your model on your Markforged composite printer here are the minimum feature sizes to consider:
Z Layer Features
H: 0.10mm (0.004”)
W: 0.50mm (0.020”)
Horizontal XY Features
D: 0.20mm (0.0079”)
H: 0.80mm (0.31”)
Vertical XY Features
D: 0.02mm (0.00079”)
W: 0.80mm (0.0020”)
An embossed feature is one that is raised above the surface of the model. Common examples are again text and lettering. Just like engraved features, embossed features can blend into the rest of the model if they are too small. However, there is an additional issue seen more commonly with embossed features: gaps. To avoid your embossed features from having those dreaded gaps or blending into your model on your Markforged composite printer here are the minimum feature sizes to consider:
Z Layer Features
H: 0.10mm (0.004”)
W: 0.50mm (0.020”)
Horizontal XY Features
D: 0.20mm (0.0079”)
H: 0.80mm (0.31”)
Vertical XY Features
D: 0.20mm (0.0079”)
W: 0.80mm (0.031”)
As you can see the feature sizes are very similar for both engraved and embossed features with the notable exception in the vertical XY features. It is also important to note that to prevent gaps on features less than 2mm (0.078”) wide, design embosses to be even multiples of 0.40mm (0.016”), the width of a single extrusion of plastic. I have provided an example here.
