[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!

[fixtureman1]

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

[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...

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

[gweikelaser]

Dear,
CO2 laser just remove the color on metal, not cut

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...

[gstrong]

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.

Dear,
CO2 laser just remove the color on metal, not cut

[ELaser]

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

[cinematic2]

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.

[ELaser]

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

[cinematic2]

Nonsenses you write betray everything about you and your lack of any experience.
Reading internet is not enough.

[Nolan Yang]

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.

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!

[gstrong]

It's a 50 watt laser.

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.

[Nolan Yang]

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.

[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.

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.

[cinematic2]

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.