Many people today rely on laser engraving to create personalized gifts and customized products, and create unique designs across different industries. This versatile technique uses a focused laser beam to make permanent, detailed marks on different materials.
During this process, the laser beams carve or etch texts, designs, or images into the materials, such as stone, metal, wood, glass, and leather. The laser vaporizes the surface of the material to create a permanent mark that may range from basic signs to detailed artwork and bold engravings.
Different kinds of lasers are used depending on the material. Fiber lasers are ideal for metals and hard plastics, while CO2 lasers are for non-plastic materials such as glass, wood, acrylic, and some plastics. Experts can also use UV lasers that are suitable for heat-sensitive or delicate materials, or diode lasers for softer materials. So, how can one get the most when using a laser? Here are the key steps to remember.
Before the engraving process starts, it is very important to make the necessary preparations. There are instances when the smoke from cutting can stain the edges of the cut surface. The best way to ensure there are no stains is to cover the surface using masking tape for protection. The tape rarely affects the power of the laser engraver . Once the cutting process is complete, the tape can be peeled off. This technique is suitable for leather.
The next step is to perform some laser presets, depending on the material and its thickness. The settings are loaded into the laser or computer and should be saved as presets. It is advisable to name them to make it easier to find them later on. Even after loading the settings, the user should run a test cut before starting the actual job. This helps determine if they need to decrease or increase power or use the preliminary presets.
There are instances when one needs to engrave different layers in a material, and most graphic programs support the creation of these layers and turning them on or off. In cases like these, it is crucial to control the order of cuts. The laser has some options that determine the order in which each line is cut, but it is possible to place different cuts on distinct layers and print each later in the required order.
It is always advisable to have several parts and designs in a file instead of having separate files. Then, print a layer at a time to keep things organized.
One of the best ways to save time without compromising on the design is to use stencils and templates. These are usually pre-made and created to suit each project's needs. Templates and stencils ensure the designs are precise and consistent. For instance, if one needs to engrave a company logo on various awards, a premade template can be used to make the work easier. Other than saving time, this ensures each award has the same logo.
It is possible to find stencils and templates in online marketplaces or design software. An individual can also choose to make their template and stencil using design software or trace an old design on a plastic or paper.
Whenever there is a need to cut out several parts at the same time, it is tempting to place them against each other so that similar lines can overlap. While this idea is good, it should be done the right way so lines do not get cut one on top of each other because the computer reading is different. This can cause some edges to get burned instead of getting a clean cut. It is better to eliminate one part of the doubled-up lines to avoid wasting time on unnecessary cuts.
Laser engraving professionals understand the difference between a vector cut and raster engraving. In raster engraving, the laser head moves left to right across the printing area and then goes down a hair to repeat the process until the image is engraved.
With a vector, the laser traces lines of the cut. This means that raster engraving takes longer. Before starting a project, one should choose the method that will work best for their image. If an image needs different lines with varying thickness, raster engraving will be suitable.
A professional can use the vector setting to produce line artwork, but the disadvantage is that the line can be thin. Luckily, there is a trick one can use to trick the laser into getting thicker lines. Lasers usually have a tight focus, so when the material is lowered a bit, the laser can lose focus, causing it to spread out.
For instance, one can place a small wooden piece about 3/8 inches thick on the material and have the laser focus on it. The next step is to run the laser on vector setting at a high speed and low power setting to get a thicker line.
A laser usually provides nice edges for each engraving as long as the lens and focus are right. However, if one wants to give edges extra sharpness, they may add a light vector score to the edges. After that, the user can get the image and add a thin stroke for a vector, but increase the speed and reduce the power to burn without cutting through the edge. After engraving, the laser will return and burn a thin line around each edge.
If a laser engraver has the air assist feature, it is important to use it. This feature is designed to minimize fumes and smoke while engraving. If used the right way, it will keep the engraving area cool and enhance the quality of an engraving.
In some cases, one needs to hit a target area that is not the laser's origin. For instance, it is possible to add some cuts to a piece of plastic that already has some old cuts. First, take measurements of the target area and ensure there is enough space for the design that needs to be cut out. Then, place the material in a laser and mark the target area before placing the design or cutting it out.
DPI is the resolution of the engraving, and if it is high, it will offer more details. This can be compared to taking pictures with a smartphone since higher resolution offers better quality pictures.
For high detail, consider using 300-600 DPI, which is ideal for company logos with fine details. The standard detail ranges from 100-200 DPI and is best for large graphics and texts that do not require fine details.
Engraving materials are costly, and there is no need to waste them on low-quality engraving. So, it is important to keep these tips in mind when undertaking any project. Having this knowledge also helps one to succeed in their engraving projects, even if they are doing it for the first time.