Laser Engraving questions for a complete newb
Laser Engraving questions for a complete newb
(OP)
Good morning everyone,
I tried to search a bit, but to piece together my own answers for my questions wouldn't really give me a justifiable grasp of what I would actually need. Hopefully someone can help me out.
Currently, the company I work for marks our products with a dot-peen machine. It works great for what we are currently using it for, which is just marking text on steel and bronze nameplates. The problem is, we are trying to do something different now for a new product, and I think Laser is the way to go. We are making a product that basically is a small titanium shaft (about 5/8" diameter) and we would like to have the logo of our company engraved on the outside diameter of the shaft. If we were to get a laser, we would also replace some of our peen operations with laser etching/engraving.
Basically all I know that we would need is a laser and something to rotate the shaft on axis to do the cylindrical shape. Aside from that, I have no idea what I would need to use a laser on stainless steel, carbon steel, bronze, titanium, copper-nickel, etc. etc.
Can anyone help me to understand what kind of machinery I would need and maybe some suggestions on what brands of products to look into?
Thanks in advance!
-Evan
I tried to search a bit, but to piece together my own answers for my questions wouldn't really give me a justifiable grasp of what I would actually need. Hopefully someone can help me out.
Currently, the company I work for marks our products with a dot-peen machine. It works great for what we are currently using it for, which is just marking text on steel and bronze nameplates. The problem is, we are trying to do something different now for a new product, and I think Laser is the way to go. We are making a product that basically is a small titanium shaft (about 5/8" diameter) and we would like to have the logo of our company engraved on the outside diameter of the shaft. If we were to get a laser, we would also replace some of our peen operations with laser etching/engraving.
Basically all I know that we would need is a laser and something to rotate the shaft on axis to do the cylindrical shape. Aside from that, I have no idea what I would need to use a laser on stainless steel, carbon steel, bronze, titanium, copper-nickel, etc. etc.
Can anyone help me to understand what kind of machinery I would need and maybe some suggestions on what brands of products to look into?
Thanks in advance!
-Evan





RE: Laser Engraving questions for a complete newb
RE: Laser Engraving questions for a complete newb
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RE: Laser Engraving questions for a complete newb
IRstuff, the peening process is working fine for us, but if we were to ultimately get a laser, we would be replacing the peening process with laser etching our nameplates and code plates (which we do for mostly every job that goes out the door).
RE: Laser Engraving questions for a complete newb
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RE: Laser Engraving questions for a complete newb
I see your point, and it may not in fact be cost effective if all we are doing is nameplates and random decorative pieces.
I think I need to continue doing research on the costs associated with this type of machinery, and see if outsourcing is a better option for us.
RE: Laser Engraving questions for a complete newb
There are lots of marking laser systems out there, and everything is a LOT cheaper than it was 10-15 years ago.
Depending on location and volume, you may want to outsource the new work.
If everything you want to mark is smallish, then personnel protection is trivial.
If you make small stuff out of thin metals, you could go with a slightly more powerful system, to be able to cut also.
cheers
Jay
Jay Maechtlen
http://www.laserpubs.com/techcomm
RE: Laser Engraving questions for a complete newb
For speed, I would highly suggest a YAG / fiber setup, especially one with a galvo.
Dan - Owner
http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com
RE: Laser Engraving questions for a complete newb