Can't quite get the crisp white etch I want...

[neeboy]

Hello everyone:

I hopefully going to start a job soon running a 100 watt laser-enngraving/cutting machine. I was provided with a sample (not sure what kind of machine did it) that has a nice, white-frosted look to some of the opaque areas, which I am trying to duplicate on a much smaller smaller 25 watt machine by etching small photos...I can't seem to get a white-frosted surface using this machine. I have tried all sorts of power and speed settings, but still just a fairly mid-tone looking etch. I have changed my image to bitmap and then half-toned, which looks great but would look even better with the white-frosting I keep mentioning. Anyone have any helpful ideas for me? Thanks in advance!

[Asynchronism]

What material are you trying to engrave on?

[neeboy]

Aw, sh*t......my bad. It's cast acrylic. Dummy me for not mentioning that earlier

[Asynchronism]

Try adjusting your power / speed, or your focus... may need a bit more power on each pass (or slower passes), you may be a bit out of focus. It could also be the acrylic... make sure it's really a cast product (not continuous cast, or MC)... and some brands behave differently.

My experiences with it are mixed...

[herby08]

Hi
did you dithere the pic? about to 0.0001 and the scan gap to 0.08 is what I use, also I use power setting of 30% with the min set to 10% and the speed to 125mm/s
thats my experience but I only drive a 40W CO2 chinese laser converted to DSP from lightobject.
happy new year to all
greetings
walt

Originally Posted by neeboy Hello everyone: I hopefully going to start a job soon running a 100 watt laser-enngraving/cutting machine. I was provided with a sample (not sure what kind of machine did it) that has a nice, white-frosted look to some of the opaque areas, which I am trying to duplicate on a much smaller smaller 25 watt machine by etching small photos...I can't seem to get a white-frosted surface using this machine. I have tried all sorts of power and speed settings, but still just a fairly mid-tone looking etch. I have changed my image to bitmap and then half-toned, which looks great but would look even better with the white-frosting I keep mentioning. Anyone have any helpful ideas for me? Thanks in advance!