Laser engraving with a 1500watt mazak

[Psi For Fun]

I have received a request to engrave on Stainless some artwork. I have etched material which is not much more than a scratch on the surface. What they ae wanting is something like a photo engraved onto a large piece of stainless can anyone help me here. I know engraving machines are different than cutters but I was wondering if there is some similarities. Thank You

[tina]

maybe CO2 laser engraving machine is not your ideal choice,because it can't engrave on stainless steel.
RF tube 50w laser may do this in a good effect.whats your photo format?PLT?you can send to us to test.

[CNCZILLA]

On the contrary CO2 lasers are perfect for this but it depends on the laser and power. C02 lasers are RF powered if they are worth anything at all. I am very familiar with CO2 particularly Trumph which is the best on the market. I can't speak per say of the Mazaks only to say they are a bottom line laser believe it or not. They do not use good resonators. You said you are using a 1500 watt. I was used to 3000 to 4000 watt lasers and i can tell you that to draw a detailed picture doesn't take much power so i would think 1500 would be plenty but i don't know Mazak nearly as well as the Trumph. The Trumph's CO2 will draw you a picture on stainless so well you would think an artist drew it by hand and the detail is amazing but like i said we had 3000 to 4000 watt lasers. Its my guess that the higher power lasers, even though it takes relatively small power to draw pictures, do this fine detail with ease and the lower power ones will seem to struggle. I would recommend Calling your Mazak laser rep and see if they suggest if your laser is best for this or not, but just know that to say C02 lasers aren't good for this is bogus. I have been to Trumph for thier advanced training and can tell you with certinty that C02 overall is the best method available, not just with Trumph but industry wide. If you don't believe me, then find someone with a 3000 or 4000 watt Trumph relatively near you, this shouldn't be hard to do since Trumph is #1 on the market, and arrange a visit for them to show you what it will do. You WILL be impressed and never doubt C02 again. Good Luck and i hope your Mazak ends up doing the trick.

[br1]

Hi there I am wondering what cut condition you use to do your etch I use:
%
O120
G87
M32
M20
M22
G82 P440 Q300 R38 F75.00
G88 M57 P50
G87 P0
G04 X0.0
M99
%
The etch is a little deeper than a scratch as you can not use a file to get it off with applying light pressure, but I use this on hpro steel. I know it is a one off part for a customer but I have been wondering myself if you could use a program like PhotoVCarve to produce the code.

[scottGu]

this is what I use on SS. but I don't like the depth. I wish it was deeper.
%
O9011
( SS ETCH W/N2)
(STANDARD FOCUS)
M32
G82P100Q250R40M69
G88P5M58
G87P00
M22
F60.0
M20
M99
%

[Psi For Fun]

I suppose my real question on this issue is not whether my Mazak is capable, but has anyone actually done this. I found out that the image that the customer was wanting me to duplicate the style of was actually an acid etch. I am still wanting to figure this out. I assume that the lower wattage machines that do this have software that is propreitary to that machine and spits out code to the machine. I see people at fairs and in the mall etching tiles, wood, and metal with a family photo,a signature, or a picture of a pet and would like to play or I mean try this, if nothing else just to say I have. What I need is a way to get an image proven and in a .DWG or .DXF format that I can work with.
I have etched names, part numbers etc... but nothing with shading. For those who care here is my etch condition.
G82P1200Q200R8F200
G88P10M58
G87P0
M32
M20
M99
I use this one as my generic etch at standard focus.
I have dropped the focus to -.12 and manually slowed the feed rate down to 30% to deepen the etch on stainless and it looks great.
Thank You to those that have offered help here!

[scottGu]

is this on mild steel or SS or both

[Psi For Fun]

My generic etch is used on both mild steel and stainless. I have never tried the deeper etch with the lowered focal point on mild steel only on some stainless.

[scottGu]

what is your normal focal point. I use -4

[Psi For Fun]

My standard focus is the same.

[YoungBlood]

Use nitrogen and I would bring up the duty and power for deeper etching on SS and Steel. Using Nitrogen leaves a clean etch with no blackening and keeps the etch consistent. If you cant get nitrogen use air. Oxygen leaves nastiness that requires a second op to clean out.

[adisk]

Hi friends, Thanks for sharing such a good information which is really helpful to me. I am new to the forum and i am glad to be here.


Thanks
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