[Ed Williams]

I have plastic project boxes and wondering if I can use a laser to put text on box?

[Jerrywu]

Yes, the laser can do it

[Ed Williams]

Yes, the laser can do it

What power laser would I need to do this?

[fixtureman1]

What kind of plastic is it. If it is has PVC in it then the answer is no

[Ed Williams]

I think it is ABS. Is there a way to test?

[fixtureman1]

What kind of plastic is it. If it is has PVC in it then the answer is no

Yes what you do is take a piece of copper wire and heat it then use that to get a small glob on it. Hold that in a flame and if it burns green it has pvc in it.

[Ed Williams]

Yes what you do is take a piece of copper wire and heat it then use that to get a small glob on it. Hold that in a flame and if it burns green it has pvc in it.

Factory said it is ABS. So I just want to add some writing on box. What kind of laser and power do I need. And how permanent will this writing be.
Thanks

[fixtureman1]

a good 40 watt would do it but not one of those $400 ebay units they are junk. I bought mine from Automation Technologies Rabbit laser is a very good company if you talk to either one they should be able to point you in the right direction. I went to both with a sample of what I cut and they did a demo for me.

[warrenb]

Vent to the outside. ABS produces some very nasty vapors when burned.

[sahuaritaguy1]

I have plastic project boxes and wondering if I can use a laser to put text on box?

Check with laser manufacturer as some plastics can create a gas while being marked, that will really damage your electronics and wires. Past reports have noted..completely ruined.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[grawley]

ABS will not discolor when marked or laser engraved. In other words, you can see the texture and shadows after laser processing. The engrave quality is considered low because it can be difficult to see. For example, a bar code reader fails on an ABS that is bar coded. However, if your intent is not for looks but for information, such as a required part number, then laser processing can suffice.

[MichaelHenry]

If legibility is important, maybe a good approach would be to apply transfer tape to the box, laser the marking on the box (which should burn through the masking as well as engrave the box, apply some sort of paint to the engraved letters, and remove the masking after the pint is dry.

[Ed Williams]

Sounds like I should just silk screen.
Thanks