Need Help!- Engraving anodized aluminium-chipping?

[surfit]

I am trying to engrave our company logo on a part that is made of billit 6061 aluminium then black sulfuric anodized. The anodize is chipping, I tried using a carbide engraving tool 1 flute 60° pointed tip, then a .06" radius tip 3° taper 3 flt carbide end mill I am cutting .01" deep. Spindle speed 12,000rpm I have tried slowing down the feed rate but that doesn't change the chipping. Any ideas?

[CORBIN92087]

Engraving after the anodize is especially hard. Did you try engraving before the anodize? I dont know if thats a legit fix but maybe that would help... Also I hear laser engraving on anodized parts is the best way to go. I do similar engraving but not in anodized stuff yet. Let me know what you find out.

[Geof]

It is possible to engrave after anodizing without chipping, see the picture; it is about 1-1/2 times full size. This was regular sulfuric acid anodizing and then dyeing. Possibly if the anodizing was overdone so the anodized layer was very thick you might get chipping; we have never seen it after doing thousand of these parts.

[khartt]

Black sulfuric anodize is a hard anodize as opposed to other anodize methods and it likes to chip when you use any rotary method to engrave it. The best way to mark it clearly is to use an nd:Yag laser. Check with Jimani, Inc. They do contract yag laser marking and they are in Oxnard. I do it to, but I'm in the San Fernando Valley. If they can't help, send me a message and I will.

[mcphill]

Sounds like the OP is in California? Rache Laser is in Camarillo, and they do all my parts - great service and a $100 min charge is fantastic as well. VERY happy with the work they do!

http://public.fotki.com/mcphill/audi.../dscn8289.html

http://public.fotki.com/mcphill/audi.../dscn8291.html

[khartt]

Sounds like the OP is in California? Rache Laser is in Camarillo, and they do all my parts - great service and a $100 min charge is fantastic as well. VERY happy with the work they do!

Yes, the OP is in California and Rache's minimum is $100.00? Wow. Send me a message. My minimum is way lower than that and we provide the same service.

[mcphill]

Originally Posted by khartt Sounds like the OP is in California? Rache Laser is in Camarillo, and they do all my parts - great service and a $100 min charge is fantastic as well. VERY happy with the work they do! Yes, the OP is in California and Rache's minimum is $100.00? Wow. Send me a message. My minimum is way lower than that and we provide the same service.

What's your e-mail address? Also, what other laser work do you do? Website?

[surfit]

Originally Posted by Geof It is possible to engrave after anodizing without chipping, see the picture; it is about 1-1/2 times full size. This was regular sulfuric acid anodizing and then dyeing. Possibly if the anodizing was overdone so the anodized layer was very thick you might get chipping; we have never seen it after doing thousand of these parts.

What type of cutting tool, rpm's and machine do you use?

[surfit]

Originally Posted by CORBIN92087 Engraving after the anodize is especially hard. Did you try engraving before the anodize? I dont know if thats a legit fix but maybe that would help... Also I hear laser engraving on anodized parts is the best way to go. I do similar engraving but not in anodized stuff yet. Let me know what you find out.

We are doing the engraving after anodize to bring out the logo.