[KwartzLab] Laser Party! Tues, Jan 10

Mon Jan 9 17:56:05 EST 2012

The laser can't directly mark aluminum, but it can ablate the oxide layer
(the anodizing). If the anodizing is dyed, the bare aluminum will become
visible. If it is clear (or "bare"), there won't be much contrast.

Materials that are painted or coated can also be engraved by etching the
coating. Results will vary depending on the material, coating, and laser
settings.

Another approach would be to use a marking compound, such as
CerMark<http://www.cermarc.com/> or
Thermark <http://www.thermark.com/>. The compound is applied, etched, and
washed off. Areas that are etched are permanently bonded to the material.

James

On Mon, Jan 9, 2012 at 5:27 PM, Jeff Schmidt <digitalfalcon at rogers.com>wrote:

> No sharpie!  Laser right onto the aluminum. At least, that was the case
> with the black anodized piece I did before.  If you want to etch the bare
> aluminum then I guess you could spray paint it.  People have experimented
> with making circuit boards that way...
>
> - Jeff
>
>   ------------------------------
> *From:* Chris Bruner <cbruner at quadro.net>
>
> *To:* Jeff Schmidt <digitalfalcon at rogers.com>; KwartzLab Public
> Discussion List <discuss at kwartzlab.ca>
> *Sent:* Monday, January 9, 2012 4:00:27 PM
>
> *Subject:* Re: [KwartzLab] Laser Party! Tues, Jan 10
>
>  So, what you are saying is that using a sharpie or something coloured, on
> aluminum will allow you to etch the sharpie away and that process marks the
> aluminum?
> On 1/9/2012 3:48 PM, Jeff Schmidt wrote:
>
>  Good points!
>
>  I have etched aluminum on a laser before, at Waterloo Engraving.  And by
> etch, I mean mark the anodized layer.  In that case, I had a matte black
> anodized case which was etched with a raster image.  The black anodizing
> turned nearly white, while the smoothness of the metal was unaffected.
>
>  This time around I have a red and a blue anodized piece.  They are
> slightly more reflective than the black.  I am hoping that they will "etch"
> white as well, though.
>
>  Once the etching is done I'll drill the holes in the panel with a drill
> press.
>
>  - Jeff
>
>   ------------------------------
> *From:* Cedric Puddy <cedric at ccjclearline.com> <cedric at ccjclearline.com>
> *To:* Jeff Schmidt <digitalfalcon at rogers.com> <digitalfalcon at rogers.com>;
> KwartzLab Public Discussion List <discuss at kwartzlab.ca><discuss at kwartzlab.ca>
> *Sent:* Monday, January 9, 2012 2:35:05 PM
> *Subject:* Re: [KwartzLab] Laser Party! Tues, Jan 10
>
> It's going to be interesting to see how well it does on aluminum; I was
> talking with James, and he thinks it will just ablate the aluminum oxide
> layer, and will not be successful in marking the underlying pure aluminum.
> I'd be happy to try just in the name of "science" (wherein "science" is a
> word we use to refer to the act of "checking to see if James is right
> again").
>
> James went on to say that there are "marking compounds", which small
> etching shops and whatnot use, in which they paint the compound onto the
> area to be laser etched.  My assumption is that the compound comprises a
> ready supply of atoms that require a relatively modest amount of power to
> drive into a chemical bond with the underlying metal, so when you hit them
> with a relatively small laser, you get an effective permanent chemically
> bonded mark.
>
> Interestingly enough, apparently Yag lasers are far more effective on
> metal than CO2 (we have a CO2 at the lab), but are less popular on account
> of being completely ineffective against organics (such as paper, leather,
> wood, etc).  Word has it that there are dual tube units in the world that
> have both a CO2 and Yag source able to supply the beam line, and able to be
> electronically switched.
>
> -Cedric
>
>
> On 2012-01-09, at 2:13 PM, Jeff Schmidt wrote:
>
> > Cool, thanks.
> >
> > In the mean time, do any members want to laser my panels for me?  I'll
> buy you some pizza at Pepi's in exchange.  :)
> >
> > - Jeff
> >
> > From: Darcy Casselman <dscassel at gmail.com>
> > To: Jeff Schmidt <digitalfalcon at rogers.com>; KwartzLab Public
> Discussion List <discuss at kwartzlab.ca>
> > Sent: Monday, January 9, 2012 1:27:05 PM
> > Subject: Re: [KwartzLab] Laser Party! Tues, Jan 10
> >
> > We don't know yet.  Non-member laser use policy is up for discussion
> > at the next board meeting.  We'll let you know!
> >
> > Darcy.
> >
> > On Mon, Jan 9, 2012 at 11:57 AM, Jeff Schmidt <digitalfalcon at rogers.com>
> wrote:
> > > I'm sad I won't be able to attend.  I've got some aluminum panels that
> I'd
> > > love to have engraved.  Perhaps next week!  What's the cost to use it
> for
> > > non-members?
> > >
> > > - Jeff
> > >
> > > ________________________________
> > > From: Darcy Casselman <dscassel at gmail.com>
> > > To: KwartzLab Public Discussion List <discuss at kwartzlab.ca>
> > > Sent: Monday, January 9, 2012 10:49:03 AM
> > > Subject: [KwartzLab] Laser Party! Tues, Jan 10
> > >
> > > That's tomorrow,
> > >
> > > Sorry for the short notice. It's been discussed in person, but not so
> much
> > > on the list.
> > >
> > > Our official laser cutter ribbon cutting will happen tomorrow night
> during
> > > TON.  We'll have talks and demos and it'll be awesome.
> > >
> > > (It is my hope that we can get the laser cutter to cut its own ribbon,
> but
> > > as I'm not a trained laser cutter operator, I can't make that
> promise...)
> > >
> > > Darcy.
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > Discuss mailing list
> > > Discuss at kwartzlab.ca
> > > http://kwartzlab.ca/mailman/listinfo/discuss_kwartzlab.ca
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
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> > >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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>
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>
> --
> Chris Bruner
>
>
>
>
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