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!
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
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
It will not cut into the aluminum just remove the coloring. That is what they meant about engraving anodized aluminum
2 Attachment(s)
Re: Chinese 50w Laser Engraver - Anodized Aluminum
Dear,
CO2 laser just remove the color on metal, not cutAttachment 261164
Quote:
Originally Posted by
gstrong
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...
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
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!
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.
Re: Chinese 50w Laser Engraver - Anodized Aluminum
Quote:
Originally Posted by
gstrong
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.
Re: Chinese 50w Laser Engraver - Anodized Aluminum
Quote:
Originally Posted by
cinematic2
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
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.
Re: Chinese 50w Laser Engraver - Anodized Aluminum
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
Re: Chinese 50w Laser Engraver - Anodized Aluminum
Quote:
Originally Posted by
ELaser
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.
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
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.
