For all of the versatility of the laser, different materials react in different ways to the engraving process.
Wood and Paper
One of the first uses of laser engravers was to burn designs into wooden surfaces. The wood burns easily so can be engraved by low-wattage lasers. Hardwoods such as oak or mahogany work best. Softer woods can produce inconsistent etching depths and have been known to actually ignite during the etching. Use of the lowest wattage lasers is recommended for these projects.
Fiberboard and hard paper work very well with laser engraving. Linty papers and newsprint tend to respond like soft woods.
Plastics
Acrylic is one of the most common plastics used with laser engravers. It holds the etch well and produces a breathtaking finished piece. Other successful plastics include Bakelite and similar hard plastics.
Softer plastics, such as styrene, tend to melt around the engraving producing a softer or even deformed look. This might be acceptable or even desired depending on the purpose of the engraving.
Special plastics have been developed specifically for laser engraving. These may include silicates to help keep the heat of the laser from melting excess material, or may be layered so that etching away the surface reveals colored layers below.
Many plastics such as vinyl or silicones simply don't work with laser engraving and require other methods.
Metals
Standard metals require specific, short-wavelength lasers and therefore don't work in most laser engravers. However coated metals perform quite well since, rather than vaporizing the metal, the lasers vaporize the coating to reveal the metal underneath. Common examples include painted brass and anodized aluminum.
Stone and Glass
Stone and glass are difficult to engrave with lasers and are often better served by other engraving techniques. However when used successfully, laser engraving creates a distinctive pattern of tiny fractures that produces beautiful and durable pieces. Granite is a particularly successful medium since once it is successfully engraved, its durability means it will last for decades even if used for applications like floor tiles.
Glass is also commonly used with sub-surface laser engravers. These engrave the image under the surface of the glass, often in three dimensions, to create stunning keepsakes that other engraving methods can't equal.
Other Materials
Laser engraving is often used successfully with leather, producing a burned look that resembles hot branding. Latex rubber is also an effective material and laser engravers are often used to make rubber stamps.
Wood Laser Engraving Machine
Laser engraving technology seems to a very complicated process; and the products and designs it can create seems very hard to do; but with the use of modern laser engraving machine, remarkable gift items with intricate designs can be done in a few minutes. Is it unbelievable or too good to be true? No. The right term is amazing!
And who would not be captivated by the elegant and lasting beauty of laser engraved products such as bracelets, pendants, paper weights and key chains that look elegant and classic? Laser engraving business is booming nowadays because both small and huge corporations have realized the value of elegantly engraved paperweights or key chains with their logo or brand name on it over the old-fashioned and cheap looking printed key chains or sticker-labeled paperweights.
The market of laser engraved items are not only the companies who want to give corporate novelty items for company promotion or give aways because individuals celebrating special occasions such as wedding, birthdays and baptism are likewise accustomed to give souvenirs and keepsakes for their guests. And how about those people who likes personalizing their gifts for their special someone?
All of these make laser engraving business booming and profitable! Moreover, this business does not need a huge capitalization or a big location; anybody with creative mind and entrepreneurial spirit can start this business anywhere by just purchasing a complete laser engraving machine.
And with the pretty good number of laser engraving machine manufacturers, one can definitely purchase a decent quality laser engraving machine at a reasonable price. One machine allows you to engrave and personalize wide range of products regardless whether they are made in stone, metal, glass, plastic or wood.
In short, the low-cost business start-up, affordable materials and unlimited products designs possible that one can do with laser engraving business; plus the corporate and individual market niche it can serve are the major reasons why this kind of business is rapidly growing nowadays.
Both Christine Harrell & Marry Jazz are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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