3D Printed Label Embosser

A fully 3D printed DYMO style label maker, using 4 compliant mechanisms as detents and springs.

How does it work?

The tape is fed from the handle into the character wheel via a ratchet, which is actuated by a compliant pawl in the trigger.

Characters are selected by rotating a wheel, which is locked in place by a compliant detent- printed as part of the readout block. The upper and lower character wheels are synchronised by a planetary gearbox, so that the tape can be fed through the system without obstruction.

As the trigger is fully compressed, the lower letter punch pushes the tape into the upper die, which deforms the tape and creates an embossed character

The trigger is returned by a large cantilevered spring, the ratchet wheel is advanced by the sprung pawl again, moving the tape forward ready for another character.

Assembly

I filmed a short assembly video before realising that Printables doesn't support videos in the upload, so I will soon upload an exploded diagram and a link to the video :)

There's still plenty of room for improvement so I've supplied a full STEP model for the community to play with.

Parts and print settings

The label maker was prototyped in Prusament PLA and PETG matte black, and assembled with 2mm screws designed for plastic (can be sourced form Amazon Aliexpress, thread length 5mm)

Print settings: 0.4mm brass nozzle. 3 perimeters, 0.2mm layer height, 15% grid infill, monotonic top surface, Hilbert curve bed surface. The lower character wheel and the spur gears were printed with 0.1mm layer height to preserve detail.

The advance wheel may benefit from some gaffer tape or rubber coating, as it sometimes slips, and the gearbox is improved with a tiny application of grease.

Here is a link to some screws which will be suitable for the project. You'll need M2 x 5mm

Currently there is no built-in tape cutter, so scissors are recommended. Perhaps a V2 will have some kind of cutting method, but I ran out of time to enter for Stamps & Seals contest!