Engraving Aluminum will damage laser?

[firejoe911]

Does anyone know if engraving aluminum with our desktop lasers will damage the unit?

A friend of mine operates an 8,000 watt industrial laser at his job. He says, in his experience with his size units, that engraving aluminum (anodized or not) will cause the beam to be reflected back thru the lens and damage the "modulator" on his unit. He says that polished stainless steel, glass and mirrors will not damage the unit. He claims that it's not a physical property of aluminum, rather a "metallic" property. He's not sure if the same holds true for out sized units, but suggests that I tilt one edge of the work up slightly so the reflected beam doesn't go directly back thru the lens.

I know our desktop units probably don't have a modulator, whatever that is, but engravable anodized aluminum pieces are sold for us to engrave.

Anyone have any experience or opinions about this?

[zax15uk]

No - it is perfectly safe for the machine.

The reflected beam would be dispersed with such low power density no damage could occur.

Zax.

[firejoe911]

That's why I like hanging out with you guys. You are so knowlede...
knowgele.... knowledg..... you are so smart!

Thanks.