Build Instructions

Collapse

• 1

  2D Design

  Design your credit card in a vector graphics format. I used Inkscape. You can take your existing designs. Convert it into paths. Convert lines into 2D objects (squares, circles etc.). Basically, make sure that everything is a 2D shape with no strokes. No need to design the channels etc. at this stage.
  

• 2

  2D to 3D design

  Import the SVGs into your CAD software. I used FreeCAD. Extrude everything by a defined length. I also made a quick macro to refer the extrusion length to a spreadsheet value. That way it is more parametric and you can easily update it. This value is the depth of your visible features (text/logo/QR code).
  

• 3

  Card Design

  • For the printed only version: Join (union) all those features. Design a prism (thick paper card) and
    subtract those features. The card needs to be thicker than the features! Features should leave empty pockets on the card.
  • For the PDMS version: Join (union) all those features. Design a prism (thick paper card), add some rims/walls* and
    add those features on the surface. The card needs to be thicker than the features! Features should extrude on the surface of the card.
  * this piece will be a mold for the PDMS. It should be a container to contain the viscous PDMS until it cures. That's why we need the walls.
  

View all 7 instructions