What do you see in this logo?

[LCHIEN]

Pardon my ignorance, I don't think I 'get it'.

You give them a flat design, they make it into 3d and then do it in stainless? So is what they are giving you a 'stamp' or is it the actual piece you will heat up to brand your pieces or...? Confused.

Basically they use what's called an additive process. So unlike most machining where you take a block of metal and remove what you don't want, in this process you build it up in layers - very heavily computer controlled dependent as to where what layers are added in what shap. Kind of built up like a layer cake with very skinny layers and very fine detail control.

I have seen this done in plastics before but not in metal...Apparently this place can do it in stainless steel.

[cwsmith]

I see " cYf " with a very big stylized "Y" in the middle. After reading the other comments I went back and I can readily see a "Mr Peanut" as someone put it.

Nice work on your part, but the the big "Y" that pops up in the middle would bother me after awhile, for sure, as I see it much more prevalent than the " af " that is your intent.

I've done a number of logo's over the years, as it's the kind of thing people hit you with... "because you do graphic stuff" ; but I admit that I'm rather stilted and not highly "stylized".

But, one thing that works for me is to produce a number of designs; ask people's opinions as you are in the process of doing; and then... paste up your three or four favorites in a place where you will have to look at them often. Several days later, you may well find that your "first favorite" may no longer be the choice that you thought it was initially.

Decades ago when I first started out I worked with a great team of creative artists. I was by no means one of them, being just a "technical illustrator". One of the nicest and most creative artist had a real knack for logo design. But every once in awhile someone in the dept. would point out that by adding a line here or there, or removing one or two and VOILA... there would be stylized "swastica".

Logo design is tricky and all too often something is created that we might not see... like that big " Y " you have in the middle. So, please understand that I'm not meaning this as critical in any way. I do like the artwork you have created, but I don't see the " af " as the prevalent characters.

CWS

[phrog]

I see both "af" and a smiley face and I really like it.

[atgcpaul]

I understand how the additive process works with plastic but stainless? That
is cool! You have just given me some ideas!

BTW, your logo is cool. I see AJF with a smiley face, too, not just AF.


Paul

[crybdr]

I like this.

The 'looks like a face' comments are appropriate. I'd like to offer an additional view.

Your mark has an 'artisanal' quality to it. It appears 'hieroglyphic' in it's execution - but is still recognizable with it's 'latin' characters of A-J-F. The combination gives it a 'timeless' feel.

Some marks can detract from a work - yours won't at all.

I'm interested to hear how the 'shapeways' iron turns out. I'm looking for an effective way to mark my pieces with my logo as well.

[Alex Franke]

I really appreciate all the comments! I guess the biggest problem (and one that I didn't even notice) is that it looks like there's a "J" or a "Y" in there... maybe I'll play around with it a bit more.

I understand how the additive process works with plastic but stainless? That
is cool! You have just given me some ideas!

I know -- pretty darn cool, isn't it?

[herb fellows]

[
...I'm not sure it will work like I expect it to yet, but we'll see![/QUOTE]

Cool! Definitely keep us posted on this, I'm really interested in how this will work out! Everything else aside, it will be a very cheap brand compared to what I have seen offered elsewhere.

[jkristia]

yeah, this is definitely cool to be able to print in 3D, I have a couple of small (model train related projects I could think of).

This is from their 'materials' page, so I dont think it will really work, but please keep us posted

>>Please note that the 3D printing materials we use for manufacturing the models make the models suitable only for decorative purposes and they are not suited for any other purpose

Jesper

[tommyt654]

Nice Design but if looked at from with the right side as the bottom looks like a guy sitting in a chair flippin me off

[Leatherneck]

$10 per cubic cm for stainless steel

for only $13.20 shipped! That's less than I expected, so it's almost a no-brainer to try.

Shapeways' site quotes stainless steel @ $10/cubic cm. Is your stamp that small?

Clever design!

http://www.shapeways.com/materials/

[Alex Franke]

This is from their 'materials' page, so I dont think it will really work, but please keep us posted

>>Please note that the 3D printing materials we use for manufacturing the models make the models suitable only for decorative purposes and they are not suited for any other purpose

I think this primarily an unfortunate legal thing -- they don't know what the product will be used for because they're printing one-offs on demand, and there are a lot of import & product safety restrictions here in the USA, especially if you're thinking about bringing in something for kids. So basically if they don't say it's "only decorative" then they'd have to look at and assess each item they send, maybe require safety testing, materials certifications, etc.

Nice Design but if looked at from with the right side as the bottom looks like a guy sitting in a chair flippin me off

Wow -- that's a good one. Hilarious! Good eye!

[Alex Franke]

Shapeways' site quotes stainless steel @ $10/cubic cm. Is your stamp that small?

Yes, it's 1.3199 cm^3 of material. It's 3/4" wide and 13.25 mm deep. For scale, the large holes in the back are 1/4" diameter.

[Leatherneck]

Kewl!

Yes, it's 1.3199 cm^3 of material. It's 3/4" wide and 13.25 mm deep. For scale, the large holes in the back are 1/4" diameter.

Thanks for the heads-up on this innovative company!! I like that shipping is included in price per.

It always jerks my chain to find a great deal and learn that S&H is soooo inflated, it kills the deal.

I look forward to seeing you grand seared into piece of wood....or a medium rare rib-eye!!! I've ran across a cookware site that sold custom brands for searing steaks. Price was $50+.

[LCHIEN]

i imagine the disclaimer on using the pieces for anything but modelling is based on their inability to gaurantee the structural strength of the material.

As opposed to a single piece of stainless steel, this is built upo of layers. I'm not really sure what holds the layers together, that sort of depends on the assembly process which for the plastics is I think electrostatics but don't know about the stainless. Still, a high temperature rating would imply that the bonds are metallic and not glue or something.

If the bond along the layers is not a true metallic bond, then the tensile trength would be much weaker and the appling force on it could cause separation. Howeverr for a brand, most of the force would be compressional and it may hold up. Will be interesting to see the results.

[Alex Franke]

As opposed to a single piece of stainless steel, this is built upo of layers. I'm not really sure what holds the layers together, that sort of depends on the assembly process which for the plastics is I think electrostatics but don't know about the stainless. Still, a high temperature rating would imply that the bonds are metallic and not glue or something.

According to a video on their website, parts are printed in stainless steel powder with an organic binder, then sintered in a curing oven. Then it's removed from the powder "in its green state" and prepared for infiltration by adding support material and bronze. Then the bronze is infused at 1400 deg C.

(I'm not sure I understand the process, so that was pretty much taken word for word from the video.)

Yeah, I'll definitely update you all when I try it out.