How to laser engrave onto Reflective Surface?

[box0303x]

Hi, I bought one of those cheap AirCut 40W lasers off of ebay and was wondering how I would engrave onto a reflective surface.

im trying to do it onto this:


how can this be done? do i need to prep the surface first?

I'm just afraid that the laser would just reflect off of the surface. I'm still very new to this and was wondering where I might be able to find some tutorials on laser engraving.

[dvdlock]

Hello,


Firstly, you haven't said what the material is. It looks like polished aluminium (aluminum) or chrome. If this is the case and you laser directly on to it you will not achieve very much, if at all.
You a couple of options. Firstly you could paint the area in your colour of choice and then laser off the part you don't want. Or you could use some Thermark (CermarK). This is a coating applied with an aerosol or a tape. When lasered with the correct speed and power it will adhere to the surface only on the area the laser hits, leaving a tough black image. When finished you simply rinse/wipe off the remainder.

Do a search on Thermark or Cermark and have a read of other peoples experiences with it. A word of warning though, it's not cheap.

Good Luck

Dave.



You will

[Litografa]

Test, test and test First of all this is aluminium/plated steel so will be no reflection and you can test engraving on surface without doubts.
If it is chinese made article - possibly laser will matt surface and you will have fashion-looked but not good visible result.
If it is steel - with products like Cermark you will have good results.

Of course NdYAG will be best solution