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T2 Engraving / Re: Laser engraving into acrylic
« on: August 17, 2017, 01:37:03 PM »
We have done some stuff...
http://benboxlaser.us/index.php/topic,2142.0.html
Intensity 255, speed 20, 3000mw laser.
Edge lighting by LED works better if you etch it on the back.
We use 1/4" acrylic that comes with brown paper backing. I'm pretty sure that the paper vaporizing is how the heat starts on the acrylic. Then once the heat starts the acrylic, a slow speed allows the bubbling to extend deeper and deeper into the surface.
When we were using lexan it came with plastic protective backing instead of paper. The clear lexan with no paper would barely etch at all. We use transfer tape because we also do vinyl for signs. Transfer tape is like masking tape but not very sticky and it comes in 12" tall rolls. The plain transfer tape would work, but it worked better when we spray painted it black.
Lexan BURNS. Acrylic bubbles but doesn't discolor like lexan. So when it is edge lit, both look good. When the lights are off, you can see the burning of the lexan and it isn't as attractive.
Below are three pictures, one is the NASCAR logo engraved into 1/4 lexan before we peel off the backing paper.
The next is a blurry and out of focus picture of some edge molding we use. The led strip is mashed into the bottom of the edge molding and the engraved acrylic piece is fitted into the slot on top of it. The screw holes allow it to be bolted down to make it secure.
Finally I thought I'd take a picture of one of our display boxes with the Harley Davidson Logo in it. The funny white thing on the side is the sensor for changing the color of the LED lights.
http://benboxlaser.us/index.php/topic,2142.0.html
Intensity 255, speed 20, 3000mw laser.
Edge lighting by LED works better if you etch it on the back.
We use 1/4" acrylic that comes with brown paper backing. I'm pretty sure that the paper vaporizing is how the heat starts on the acrylic. Then once the heat starts the acrylic, a slow speed allows the bubbling to extend deeper and deeper into the surface.
When we were using lexan it came with plastic protective backing instead of paper. The clear lexan with no paper would barely etch at all. We use transfer tape because we also do vinyl for signs. Transfer tape is like masking tape but not very sticky and it comes in 12" tall rolls. The plain transfer tape would work, but it worked better when we spray painted it black.
Lexan BURNS. Acrylic bubbles but doesn't discolor like lexan. So when it is edge lit, both look good. When the lights are off, you can see the burning of the lexan and it isn't as attractive.
Below are three pictures, one is the NASCAR logo engraved into 1/4 lexan before we peel off the backing paper.
The next is a blurry and out of focus picture of some edge molding we use. The led strip is mashed into the bottom of the edge molding and the engraved acrylic piece is fitted into the slot on top of it. The screw holes allow it to be bolted down to make it secure.
Finally I thought I'd take a picture of one of our display boxes with the Harley Davidson Logo in it. The funny white thing on the side is the sensor for changing the color of the LED lights.