Laser Engraving For Front Panels

[Solomute]

A $200 Amazon laser engraver will engrave anodized or painted aluminum and powder coated/painted steel.

 

[brucega]

I like the 'BASE' on the kit panel. Your new one looks nice.

 

[ruffrecords]

One of the Linux magazines I read has an article about the Flux Beamo. 30W CO2 laser. Not cheap be very compact and compatible with all operating systems. Too small to do 19 inch front panels but plenty big enough for mixer front panels and perhaps prototype PCBs.

FLUX Beamo

Cheers

Ian

 

[gyraf]

This the work of the 10W diode laser on black anodized alu (before servo steppers)

 

[zamproject]

@gyraf...
I never thought about the fact that gyraf's neck was a polarized component

 

[exlabs]

Yes, they work fine. I use a 50W CO2 Laser for my (black anodized aluminium) front panels.

It would be great to post some examples to get a feel for what the different type of lasers can do.

 

[sr1200]

It would be great to post some examples to get a feel for what the different type of lasers can do.

Check out the link i posted earlier, hobby laser something... the guy does a pretty good job testing various machines and showing the output on different mediums (anodized aluminum, wood, acrylic).

 

[sr1200]

My "beater" machine (a 2014 mac mini for $100usd) arrived this weekend that i plan on putting the light burn software on to properly test the laser. Probably have a demo video later this week. initial tests using some gcode demo files were "okay" at best. I think i may need to tweak some tensions and nuts/bolts to get a steadier print, the motors throw some torque around.

 

[[silent:arts]]

It would be great to post some examples to get a feel for what the different type of lasers can do.

https://groupdiy.com/threads/stu-915-301-500.80689/or
https://groupdiy.com/threads/v672x-telefunken-v672a-in-gdiy51x-format.66411/(yes, the silver one is done with my 50W CO2 laser too, using Lasermarking Tape)

 

[ccaudle]

the silver one is done with my 50W CO2 laser too

Do I understand correctly that you put the tape on the panel, and where the laser marks the side which is stuck to the panel turns black and separates from the rest of the backing, so when you peel it off it looks a little like laser printer toner has been baked onto the panel?

 

[[silent:arts]]

Anodized aluminium always gets white with CO2 lasers, independent of the anodized color.
With the tape (or spray etc) it gets black instead, yes.
I don't do the silver ones anymore, since the tape is very expensive, and it gets old fast.
(I can't peel off my three years old tape without scratching it (and the front panel) anymore)

 

[Lee_M]

https://groupdiy.com/threads/stu-915-301-500.80689/or
https://groupdiy.com/threads/v672x-telefunken-v672a-in-gdiy51x-format.66411/(yes, the silver one is done with my 50W CO2 laser too, using Lasermarking Tape)

That's some very nice work.

Which machine did you use for these?

 

[[silent:arts]]

Which machine did you use for these?

One of those Chinese 50W CO2 Lasers from Ebay.

 

[Lee_M]

One of those Chinese 50W CO2 Lasers from Ebay.

Like this kind of thing? 50W 500x300mm Co2 Laser Engraving Machine Laser Cutting Cutter Engraver UKCA | eBay

 

[ruffrecords]

Like this kind of thing? 50W 500x300mm Co2 Laser Engraving Machine Laser Cutting Cutter Engraver UKCA | eBay

Looks like a cheaper version of this:

50W CO2 Laser Engraver Cutting Machine with 300x500mm Working Area Ruida Control

Cheers

Ian

 

[[silent:arts]]

Like this kind of thing? 50W 500x300mm Co2 Laser Engraving Machine Laser Cutting Cutter Engraver UKCA | eBay

It looks a little bit different but yes, something like this.

 

[ruffrecords]

There seems to be a big jump in price from 40W to 50W:

40W CO2 Laser Engraver Cutting Machine with 200x300cm Working Area & LCD control

Cheers

Ian

 

[soapfoot]

Stupid question, perhaps, but--

Can these laser engravers do curved surfaces (like a mic body)?

 

[gyraf]

..yes, easily - with a rotating z-axis-addition like e.g. 50.57US $ 39% OFF|A3 Rotate Engraving Module Laser Engraver Machine Y Axis DIY Update Kit with Stepper Motor Wire for Column Cylinder Engraver|Woodworking Machinery Parts| - AliExpress

 

[abbey road d enfer]

There seems to be a big jump in price from 40W to 50W:

I believe it's the work area that makes most of the difference.