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LASER ENGRAVING

HYDRODYNAMIC

HYDRODYNAMIC

Rock Stacker
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Lost in the forest
Doing research on laser engraving/etching.
I have SS and or aluminum panels and want to be able to etch data onto them.
No more lame sticker printed tags. Full laser burned dash.
Want to be able to do some damage and burn in deep enough to leave data that can not be scratched off within reason as well as dial it back so data can be erased or polished out and reburned.
Cost and speed is not a major concern. Quality, reliability, wear parts, support, are all key selling points.
What machine should I be looking for? What do you tech nerds use?
 
Following... I'm also interested in a laser for aluminum product marking with the same goals of being able to burn deep enough to make it last. I'm a noob when it comes to lasers though. 12" square would be plenty for my needs.
 
CO2 lasers like ULS, Trotech, etc are good for the size, but don't cut metal. Got one of those. It'll burn through paint/anodizing/etc.

Galvo fiber lasers are fast as hell, burn deep into metal/graphite, but they're very limited in cut area, like 6"x6" at the biggest. If you're just looking to do gauge bezels, logos, or ID numbers, fiber is the way to go. Good for guns, too.

Like most tools, I would choose a used industrial laser over consumer junk like the Glowforge.

Sawmill Creek Woodworking Community has a great laser section.

Lasers have taken a weird dive in price the last couple years. China's selling galvo fibers crazy-cheap. Comarker keeps popping up in ads for $2k...

Thermark ceramic coating burns on with a co2, and leaves a nice black mark on SS. Kind of a pain to apply uniformly, but it might be an option for full dashes.
 
My sawmill buddy cranks out aluminum and brass data plates like it's nobody's business using a CNC wood router and eBay carbide end mills in tiny sizes.
 
A friend has the CO2 laser below, and engraved the piece of stainless in the picture. Its deep enough that I can hang a fingernail in it.

https://www.amazon.com/OMTech-Engraver-Engraving-Autofocus-Electric/dp/B099KJDLM9 ($2999)

laser_eng.jpg
 
www.instructables.com

How to Electro-Etch a Solid Metal Plaque

How to Electro-Etch a Solid Metal Plaque: This is a technique that has been used by humans for a very long time. Learn how to create a deep electro-etched metal plaque with household items or items from the hardware store in this Instructable. There are no hazardous chemica…
www.instructables.com www.instructables.com
 
Nothing was applied, 70% of the 70 watts, 10mm/sec. It is a very durable finish that would have to be ground off.

marc
 
obenshain said:
Nothing was applied, 70% of the 70 watts, 10mm/sec. It is a very durable finish that would have to be ground off.

marc
Click to expand...
From your laser ad:
"the laser will engrave and cut your design into wood, paper and cardboard, plastics and acrylic, leather, fabric, and other nonmetallic materials with pinpoint precision."

Something very weird there. I'd sure love to know what.
 
So rather than take a whole dash panel in, has anyone seen a vendor that supplies metal plates that can be 3M double sided taped on?
This would allow rework after everything is wired in and things change down the road. Pull the old metal strip off and replace with new one.
Aluminum or SS would be ideal. EX. .75" x 8" rectangle strip.
 
HYDRODYNAMIC said:
So rather than take a whole dash panel in, has anyone seen a vendor that supplies metal plates that can be 3M double sided taped on?
This would allow rework after everything is wired in and things change down the road. Pull the old metal strip off and replace with new one.
Aluminum or SS would be ideal. EX. .75" x 8" rectangle strip.
Click to expand...
Pop rivets or small screws?

Aaron Z
 
I'm surprised lasers haven't come very far.

We had a CNC laser etcher at work for labeling tools nearly 20 years ago. It didn't take anything special aside from a computer and 120v power.

We labelled hundreds of wrenches, sockets, screwdrivers and specialty tools for CTKs with it plus random shit like plaques, pens, pocket knives, metal coffee mugs, etc.

Could do roughly 2ftx2ft or so. Had a visable laser like a laser pointer to line it up, then it'd go. Most tools took 2 or 3 passes, but it was pretty quick. Way quicker than hand etching.
 
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