584,802 active members*
4,893 visitors online*
Register for free
Login
Results 1 to 17 of 17
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Posts
    7

    Chinese 50w Laser Engraver - Anodized Aluminum

    I checked all the threads I could find, but still didn't come up w/ what I was looking for.

    I have the IE400 50w Chinese/Ebay laser (CO2). It's advertised to be able to engrave anodized aluminum, but I can't seem to get it to engrave the metal itself. It will essentially engrave in the paint, but that's about it.

    The software I got with it is RDWorks 8. I have the settings in there to a very slow "cut" (10mm/s) at 90-100% power, and it's still just engraving paint. Are my settings wrong?

    My other question related to this, is - I have seen other people talk about LaserCut and how it's great software. is it possible to use that software with my laser, or are they all specific to a certain laser/brand?

    Thanks a lot for any insight you can give!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Posts
    940

    Re: Chinese 50w Laser Engraver - Anodized Aluminum

    It will not cut into the aluminum just remove the coloring. That is what they meant about engraving anodized aluminum

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Posts
    7

    Re: Chinese 50w Laser Engraver - Anodized Aluminum

    Thanks fixtureman1 for the feedback.

    If that's the case, does that mean I don't need to use "cut" and I can simply do the "scan" or engrave method? Will that still take that black anodizing off to give me the white look?

    Right now, I have been practicing on some painted die cast pieces since they are cheaper than my anodized parts...

    Quote Originally Posted by fixtureman1 View Post
    It will not cut into the aluminum just remove the coloring. That is what they meant about engraving anodized aluminum

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Posts
    387

    Re: Chinese 50w Laser Engraver - Anodized Aluminum

    Dear,
    CO2 laser just remove the color on metal, not cutClick image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_20121129_110704.jpg 
Views:	0 
Size:	58.2 KB 
ID:	261164


    Quote Originally Posted by gstrong View Post
    Thanks fixtureman1 for the feedback.

    If that's the case, does that mean I don't need to use "cut" and I can simply do the "scan" or engrave method? Will that still take that black anodizing off to give me the white look?

    Right now, I have been practicing on some painted die cast pieces since they are cheaper than my anodized parts...
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails IMG_20121231_144648.jpg  
    Lucy Lee G.WEIKE LASER
    [email protected]

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Posts
    7
    Thank you for your help!

    Can anyone recommend proper settings for anodized aluminum?

    The "cut" did not seem to do anything on the parameters I used. And "scan" mode left dirty-looking lines horizontally that I couldn't even get off with a brush and acetone.

    Quote Originally Posted by gweikelaser View Post
    Dear,
    CO2 laser just remove the color on metal, not cutClick image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_20121129_110704.jpg 
Views:	0 
Size:	58.2 KB 
ID:	261164

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2014
    Posts
    611

    Re: Chinese 50w Laser Engraver - Anodized Aluminum

    Hello gstrong
    1. may I ask how much power of your laser tube, and please don't set at 90~100% power, the laser tube will be broken quickly.
    2. your machine also can install LasserCut software, but you also need to replace the mainboard as well.



    Quote Originally Posted by gstrong View Post
    I checked all the threads I could find, but still didn't come up w/ what I was looking for.

    I have the IE400 50w Chinese/Ebay laser (CO2). It's advertised to be able to engrave anodized aluminum, but I can't seem to get it to engrave the metal itself. It will essentially engrave in the paint, but that's about it.

    The software I got with it is RDWorks 8. I have the settings in there to a very slow "cut" (10mm/s) at 90-100% power, and it's still just engraving paint. Are my settings wrong?

    My other question related to this, is - I have seen other people talk about LaserCut and how it's great software. is it possible to use that software with my laser, or are they all specific to a certain laser/brand?

    Thanks a lot for any insight you can give!

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Posts
    7
    It's a 50 watt laser.

    Quote Originally Posted by Nolan Yang View Post
    Hello gstrong
    1. may I ask how much power of your laser tube, and please don't set at 90~100% power, the laser tube will be broken quickly.
    2. your machine also can install LasserCut software, but you also need to replace the mainboard as well.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jun 2014
    Posts
    611

    Re: Chinese 50w Laser Engraver - Anodized Aluminum

    Have you solved the problems? usually, if you use 50 watt laser tube, I suggest 200~400mm/s and 20~30% power for engraving on anodized aluminum.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Posts
    7
    Thanks Nolan. No I haven't solved this yet. For the settings you mentioned, would that be on the "cut" mode or the "scan" mode. I'm not sure if those terms vary by software, but essentially I can only use cut mode with vector images and if it's a jpg or png then I can only use the "scan" setting, which is essentially like a laser engraving version of an inkjet printer.

    Quote Originally Posted by Nolan Yang View Post
    Have you solved the problems? usually, if you use 50 watt laser tube, I suggest 200~400mm/s and 20~30% power for engraving on anodized aluminum.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Posts
    787

    Re: Chinese 50w Laser Engraver - Anodized Aluminum

    Quote Originally Posted by gstrong View Post
    Thanks Nolan. No I haven't solved this yet. For the settings you mentioned, would that be on the "cut" mode or the "scan" mode. I'm not sure if those terms vary by software, but essentially I can only use cut mode with vector images and if it's a jpg or png then I can only use the "scan" setting, which is essentially like a laser engraving version of an inkjet printer.
    Cut mode is for cutting, scan for engraving.
    Normally you need RF laser to engrave on silver or bright color anodized alu.
    You may succeed on black but Chinese DC laser is not good solution.
    CNC lasers, constructions, service

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Posts
    128

    Re: Chinese 50w Laser Engraver - Anodized Aluminum

    Quote Originally Posted by cinematic2 View Post
    Cut mode is for cutting, scan for engraving.
    Normally you need RF laser to engrave on silver or bright color anodized alu.
    You may succeed on black but Chinese DC laser is not good solution.
    Bull****.

    I have a friend with a desktop cheapo chinese fleabay laser, he put decent mirrors and lenses on it, and the only job it does is engrave anodised very light silver parts for RC machines.

    RF vs DC is also bull****, they are just different ways of exciting the gas, glass tube laser doesn't use DC so much as PWM DC, once you excite the gas, it lases, the beam is then down to the gas mix and mirror quality, end of.

    RF is slightly more efficient than DC as regards input power v beam power, and RF is pretty much the only way to get high powers, eg > 200 watt. commercially, eg what you can buy

    RF is however several times more expensive to buy and maintain than a tube, and longevity isn't necessarily any bloody better, I have mates who own multi-kilowatt RF metal cutters, and they both get regassed and serviced every two years, and it is staggering sums of money.

    RF is also lower precision to make than glass tube, and is safer (not HT) and is air cooled which is another complexity / cost saving, flipside is the RF electronics are complex and cost a bomb too.

    RF beats DC hands down at short pulse performance eg lots of very fast very intricate work with lots of power changes and precise power control
    DC beats RF hands down at sustained high powers

    Going back to my mates with the multi kilowatt metal cutters, despite regassing and maintenance costs being astronomical, the serious money goes on the electricity bill and the cutting / assist gas bill

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Posts
    787

    Re: Chinese 50w Laser Engraver - Anodized Aluminum

    Wow! We have some new theories about CO2 lasers :-D
    Unfortunately all you think to know is "second hand" pseudo-knowledge.
    By the way, we DO NOT talk about multi-kilowatt lasers.
    CNC lasers, constructions, service

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Posts
    128

    Re: Chinese 50w Laser Engraver - Anodized Aluminum


  14. #14
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Posts
    128

    Re: Chinese 50w Laser Engraver - Anodized Aluminum

    replying to myself, to head off at the pass the usual oh I couldn't see anything in the 3 thousand pages there that contradicts etc

    Sam's Laser FAQ - Carbon Dioxide Lasers Carbon Dioxide Lasers
    Sub-Table of Contents

    and specifically
    Sam's Laser FAQ - Carbon Dioxide Lasers

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Posts
    787

    Re: Chinese 50w Laser Engraver - Anodized Aluminum

    Quote Originally Posted by ELaser View Post
    replying to myself, to head off at the pass the usual oh I couldn't see anything in the 3 thousand pages there that contradicts etc

    Sam's Laser FAQ - Carbon Dioxide Lasers Carbon Dioxide Lasers
    Sub-Table of Contents

    and specifically
    Sam's Laser FAQ - Carbon Dioxide Lasers
    Once again. Your knowlege is second hand.
    You personally know nothing.
    You have never build any laser machine nor woking laser. No matter RF or DC.
    So dont try to be wiser than specialists.
    CNC lasers, constructions, service

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Posts
    128

    Re: Chinese 50w Laser Engraver - Anodized Aluminum

    Amazing, I've only been here a short while, hardly posted anything, and you know more about me that I do, you even know, for a fact, that I personally know nothing, for a fact, that I have never built any laser machine, or laser, though you only appear to be aware of the existence of RF or DC excited CO2 lasers.

    So, don't try to be wiser than "specialists", that would be you of course, judging by your sig.

    PLONK

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Posts
    787

    Re: Chinese 50w Laser Engraver - Anodized Aluminum

    Nonsenses you write betray everything about you and your lack of any experience.
    Reading internet is not enough.
    CNC lasers, constructions, service

Similar Threads

  1. Etching Anodized Aluminum, budget build, What kind of laser?
    By blitz355 in forum Laser Engraving / Cutting Machine General Topics
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 10-07-2014, 09:58 AM
  2. Anyone use a Tormach drag engraver on anodized aluminum ?
    By AUSTINMACHINING in forum Tormach Personal CNC Mill
    Replies: 15
    Last Post: 10-07-2014, 09:27 AM
  3. Chinese K40 Laser Machine & Anodized Aluminium
    By lazylaser in forum Laser Engraving / Cutting Machine General Topics
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 01-19-2014, 07:07 AM
  4. 40w Chinese laser etching anodized aluminum
    By Soak in forum Laser Engraving / Cutting Machine General Topics
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 06-02-2012, 09:31 AM
  5. laser engraving on anodized aluminum
    By ezflowrider in forum Laser Engraving / Cutting Machine General Topics
    Replies: 15
    Last Post: 06-02-2009, 01:25 AM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •