From personalizing guitar picks to engraving name-plates on Oscars, laser engraving has been a key part of the entertainment industry.

This article sheds light on how it can be useful in some other parts of the entertainment world as well.

1. Fan Merchandise:

In retail merchandise, producing products that stand out is important. Introducing uniqueness and customization can be the opening door for you to kick-start into retail merchandising.

In this case, Laser engraving can come handy for bands, artists to sell their custom merchandise. As it connects them with customers on a personal level, they can also promote their upcoming tours, increase their fan base, and build their brand name.

Artists like Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, BTS, and bands like One Direction regularly offer custom merch. You can build these types of products on the basis of new releases, campaigns, tours, etc. And one can use laser engraving to engrave products like cutting boards, keychains, sometimes exclusive autographed products, etc.

2. Instruments:

Thinking of giving a personalized gift to someone? Then why not try laser engraving! The laser-engraved instruments can be special gifts they would never forget.

Additionally, you would get a variety of options to apply laser engraving to:

• Guitars
• Instrument cases
• Drum Sticks
• Pianos

3. Vinyl Engraving:

There were times when traditional vinyl records ruled the market. However, they are again in the limelight all thanks to laser engraving.

A company named Rebeat in 2016 arranged a patent for creating vinyl records in a new way with unique markings. Recently, they worked out on their funding and hope to introduce laser-engraved vinyl records in the market very soon.

Additionally, laser marking records can have better sound quality, produce more amplitude, and last a longer playing time compared to traditional methods. Hence, you can look out for laser marked vinyl in the upcoming months!

4. Concerts:

Not laser marking, but laser, in general, also plays a different but important role in the music industry with attractive light visuals, laser bands, laser lights in the concerts. They create a variety of entertaining visuals that many times take artists’ and bands’ shows to the next level.

Using special background effects with the help of laser during concerts can add up a special sequel that can create a different type of atmosphere among the audience. You can use create this type of laser effect depending on the different genres to entertain your audience.

If you are looking to upgrade your laser machines with new parts you can look online for Fanuc parts or Trumpf parts for quality results.

5. Movies:

Movies are an integral part of the entertainment industry and here are a few ways how lasers have been a part of the movies.

• Awards:

Some of the most famous awards like Grammys, Oscars, AMAs, etc. use laser engraving technology to prepare their awards.

As laser engraving provides precision with speed, you can have a smooth finishing touch to it.

• Movie Posters:

If you are a cinephile person, thinking of having a collection of movie posters, then how about having laser engraved posters of your favorite movies? Be it the famous superhero movie like Avengers or one of the classics like Frankenstein, you can create laser engraved posters to make a unique type of collection. You can either get them from any shop or get them laser engraved yourself.

• Theaters:

In recent years, laser technology made it in the theaters as well. Recently, the famous IMAX has introduced IMAX with laser in which they use laser projection. This type of projection uses a 4K laser system to provide customers with high-resolution images, better visual effects, and enhanced contrasts. Compared to other projectors these types of projectors perform better in every aspect.

Final Words:

A subset of laser marking, laser engraving practice is thriving in the entertainment industry. Since it does not involve the use of inks, you can get long-lasting, precise results on your products giving them a personalized touch. To upgrade your machines with new laser parts you can look online for Trumpf parts or Fanuc parts to get started.

Source: https://www.evernote.com/shard/s548/sh/377413dd-2485-4a6a-8034-da18f467ff3a/e44b0c20ba22437f69da05e0538bf347

The craze for laser engraving, marking and etching is increasing day-by-day because of the regulations set by the government regarding product identification.

All of them provide permanent marking solutions that can add that distinct mark on your products.

But, there are only a few people who understand the difference between them. While these three techniques look similar, their applications set them apart.

The major difference between laser marking, engraving and etching lies in what they could do to the marking surfaces. The difference also lies in how deep the laser goes and the way it changes its overall appearance.

Laser marking damages the surface of the material, whereas laser etching and engraving removes the portion of the area it marks.

The other difference between laser engraving and etching is the depth at which it enters the surface.

Without any further ado, let’s explore more differences between them.

1. Laser Marking Process

Laser marking is the process when beam comes in contact with the surface of any material and alters its properties or appearances. You should use laser machines having parts like Mazak parts, Fanuc spare parts, and Fanuc CNC parts for best laser marking results.

Here we have mentioned steps for laser marking which will give you some insights on how it works.

• It uses a method called distortion by moving a low powered beam across the material.
• This creates high contrast marks without damaging the material.
• Laser heats the material and causes the oxidation under the surface turning the material black.
• It uses low temperature to solidify the surface.
• The major advantage is that all these steps do not damage the surface.

Now, let's look at some of the characteristics which make it different from the other two:

• Laser marking is not a common thing and there are only a few that provide these services.
• It is known as laser coloration, laser dark marking or charring when it works with plastic materials or annealing metals.

There are four types of laser marking:

                 - Annealing

                 - Carbon migration

                 - Foaming

                 - Coloration

Laser marking is popular in the medical device industry for marking stainless steel and titanium parts, but you can use it on other materials as well.

A laser market is perfect for bar codes, UID codes, QR codes, logos, etc.

2. Laser Engraving Process:

In laser engraving, the laser beam physically removes the surface of the material and exposes a portion of the image at the eye level.

Let’s look at laser engraving steps:

• Laser releases excessive heat during the engraving process which results in vaporization of the material.
• It is a quick process that vaporizes materials at each pulse.
• This makes the surface vulnerable and noticeable to eyes and you can touch it too.
• If you want deeper marks on the material then make sure that you repeat the process several times.

• Below mentioned are features of laser engraving which will help you know the difference between them and the other too:

There are three types of laser engraving:

                 - Etching

                 - Deep laser engraving

                 - Laser ablation

The major difference between the above three engraving types is the surface you are engraving and how much you remove.

• Maximum engraving depth for metal is 0.020” but it can even go as deep as 0.125” in materials like graphite.
• Mostly, people use engraving when they want to create personalized items.
• It is not suitable to mark the critical parts.
• It is the fastest way to create a mark with a laser.
• It’s suitable for parts expected to experience high wear and tear.
• You can use it to engrave serial numbers and logos, among other things.
• You can engrave on almost any kind of surfaces like metal, plastic, wood, leather, and glass.

3. Laser Etching Process:

It is a subset of laser engraving. It occurs when the heat from the beam melts the surface of the material. For best results, invest in parts like Mazak parts and Fanuc CNC parts.

Below mentioned are some of its characteristics:

• It uses excessive heat to melt the surface of the material.
• It expands material to create a raising mark.
• The depth here is 0.001”.

The major difference between laser etching and the other two are:

• Laser etching changes the reflectivity and increases the contrast of the metal and so it is preferable when you want to provide a better finish.
• It removes 0.001” or less from the material.
• Etching works on bare, plated metal surfaces, polymers or ceramics.

Wrapping it up:

I know there’s a lot of confusion about these terms among people which is common and people use it interchangeably very often, but there are wide differences between them and their applications. After selecting the process, make sure you are choosing a laser machine with the right laser parts like Mazak parts, Fanuc spare parts, etc.

Laser, a technical word, is one of the most common words which we have been using and hearing for a long time.

But,

Did you know that laser is an acronym for “Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation”? It is a byword for efficiency and quality in materials processing since its emergence in the sixties.

It offers an entirely new way of using energy which helps manufacturing, medicine, and communications. You can heat, melt and even vaporize materials using lasers. It is an ideal medium for channelizing intense but controllable energy.

But they are most popular for cutting.

So, let’s brush up the basics of laser cutting and its uses?

Laser cutting is the thermal process that focuses laser beams on a particular area to melt material. It uses a coaxial gas jet to eject molten material and create a kerf.

As the laser beam or workpiece moves continuously under CNC control, it produces a cut.

There are three varieties of laser cutting:

1. Fusion Cutting
2. Flame Cutting
3. Remote Cutting

Let’s look at each in brief.

Fusion cutting: This cutting uses molten material to expel the kerf. Nitrogen gas does not react with molten material and as a result, it does not contribute to the energy input. It is advisable to use lasers with Trumpf spare parts and Fanuc spare parts for the best quality work.

Flame cutting: This laser cutting uses oxygen along with other gases and exerts the mechanical force on the molten material. This, in turn, creates an exothermic reaction which increases the energy input process.

Remote cutting: In this laser cutting, the material partially evaporates because of the high-intensity laser beam. As a result, this cuts the thin sheets without using any gas.

You can use automation in the laser cutting process using offline CAD/CAM systems. It helps in controlling three-axis flatbed systems or six-axis robots for three-dimensional laser cutting.

With the improvements in accuracy, edge squareness, and heat input control, the laser cutting technique is replacing other profiling cutting techniques like plasma and oxy-fuel.

Let’s look at the most vital thing in a laser cutting machine which we tend to forget easily.

Yes, you guessed it right, we are talking about the lens in laser cutting machines. We often forget that lenses can affect the thickness of the cut which is important for the cut.

So, let’s understand how it works.

In laser cutting, you focus laser beams using a lens (sometimes a concave mirror) on a small spot where you need to produce a laser cut.

One can define a lens by its focal length. And what is focal length? It’s the distance from the lens to the focused point.

There are two basic things which affect the efficiency of laser cutting:

1. Focused point diameter(d)
2. Depth of focus (L) - Focal Length

The effective distance which gives you satisfactory cuts is known as the depth of the focus. You can also define it as the distance at which the area of the spot doesn’t increase beyond 50%.

These two things, depth of focus and focal spot diameter, depend on the raw laser beam diameter on the lens and the focal length of the lens. And on the spare parts you use. For best results, use Trumpf spare parts and Fanuc spare parts.

Understand, constant raw laser beam diameter decreases the focal length of the focusing lens which results in smaller focal spot diameter and focus depth.

If there is a constant focus length lens then it increases raw beam diameter which reduces the spot diameter and depth of focus.

To compare lasers with different beam diameters we use focus f-number, which is focal length, F, and then divide it by incoming raw beam diameter, D.

There are two major requirements you need to consider for laser cutting:

1. High power density which focuses on small spot size.
2. Long depth of focus to process thick materials providing a reasonable amount of tolerance to focus on position variation.

But, the problem occurs when we realize that these two requirements are in conflict and you need to make some or the other compromises.

Hence, you need to consider the fact if the focal length is short, then the lens would be closer to the workpiece which can cause damages to the lens during the cutting process.

Wrapping it up:

It is necessary to understand the basics of any machinery part before you buy it. Because as an owner of that product you need to understand why you are investing in that thing and how even a small machinery part can impact highly on your business. Also, make sure to replace any worn out parts with only high-quality parts like Trumpf spare parts and Fanuc spare parts.

Bricks are probably the oldest building blocks humans invented. The first bricks date back to 800 BC when Palestinians would dry clay mud in the sun to make simple bricks. Since then, bricks have been an important part of the construction industry.

Brick marking methods have been in use for years. What makes bricks a popular choice for fundraising or donor campaigns is their durability. Though traditional methods like sandblasting and pantographing are still in use, laser engraving is the latest and most promising.

How to Start with Laser Engraving Bricks

The very first requirement for laser engraving bricks is a brick engraving machine. The brick engraving machine you choose should be reliable.

A good engraving machine will help you save time, eliminate additional costs and make long-lasting fundraising bricks.

When you buy a brick engraving machine, you must consider these points in mind.

1. Power Before choosing a brick engraving laser machine, make sure that it is a CO2 laser. Also, ensure that it is of at least 80-watt power. Though you can engrave bricks with a lower power laser machine, it will take more attempts to get the look you desire.

2. Size You should choose a bigger size engraving machine with a large bed. This will facilitate the engraving of multiple bricks in one go. And it will escalate productivity.

3. Experience Ensure that the company you have chosen to buy the laser machine has experience with brick engraving.

4. No Additional Costs Make sure that your laser machine comes with all the accessories and software you need to start brick-engraving. Minimizing additional costs is what you should focus on.

5. Warranty and Support Ask everything about the warranty period, support and other facilities you’ll get post the purchase. It is better to know everything beforehand rather than facing issues later.

6. Proper Maintenance Once you buy a laser machine, it is important to maintain it properly. Take care of accessories that wear out. And replace them to reduce losses. Even after the warranty period gets over, never compromise with the quality of spare parts. Always use good quality spare parts FANUC parts, Mazak spare parts, or any other good company’s spare parts.

How Can You Earn Huge Profits with Laser Engraved Bricks?

Earning huge profits by laser engraving bricks is simple. Many different places like hospitals, memorials, zoos, universities, etc. need brick engraving for various purposes. For instance, schools sometimes may require laser engraving for alumni recognition, displaying school pride through engraving a mascot or other custom artwork. Also, schools can make pathways, patios, and gardens, etc. with laser engraved bricks.

Even one or two orders for a walkway or garden can bring in great income in a shorter span. This way, you are sure to earn huge profits with brick engraving technology.

Advantages of Brick Engraving

1.  A Simpler and Faster Process Brick Engraving with laser is much simpler than traditional brick marking methods of pantographing and sandblasting. All you need to do is create a design of your choice and push start after sending it to the laser. Further, it is possible to engrave multiple bricks simultaneously, thus making it a faster process.

2. Eco-Friendly and More Stable Unlike sandblasting and pantographing, laser engraving doesn’t require epoxies, chemicals or fillers. Hence, it is eco-friendlier. Further, sandblasting uses fillers to fill the areas that get chipped away during the process. However, these areas under constant sunlight, harsh weather conditions, or acid rain cause bricks to deteriorate. And even if you avoid fillers in sandblasting, moisture will go down deep into the bricks and break them down.

3. Integrity Remains Intact While some brick areas get chipped away during sandblasting and pantographing, it doesn’t happen during laser engraving. Their structural integrity remains intact. And they are stronger and durable throughout.

4. Low Maintenance Once set up, laser engraving machines require low maintenance. And good quality spare and replacement parts like Mazak spare parts, Fanuc parts, or spare parts from any other good company are easily available.

Summing Up Thus, you see that brick engraving is an easy source of huge income and profits. All you need is to select a suitable brick engraving laser machine for your job. And maintain it with proper measures and good quality spare parts like FANUC parts and Mazak spare parts, etc.

Picture this scenario:

You are offloading a sheet of cut parts from the laser machine. From all these pieces, you will pick up a few pieces to reveal clean edges for the next step. And you leave the rest of the pieces with the burred finish.

In order to avoid such burred finishes, you need to know which parameters you exactly need to work on. Here are some handful of strategies to help you get the burr-free prints the way you want.

What Causes Burr?

During the process of laser cutting, the laser beam’s intense energy brings the metal beyond its melting temperature, and the powerful action of the assist gas leaves the metal from the kerf. When you use nitrogen, the cutting process relies on the beam’s energy to melt the metal. When carbon steel is cut, the oxygen interacts with the hot metal for an exothermic reaction. And that adds extra heat.

This is why you don’t need as much gas pressure to eject the material. With oxygen cutting, you have much lower pressure and slower dynamic flow of the gas. Overall, these burrs form from the molten metal solidifying faster than its evacuation. The solid material becomes a deposit at the bottom of the kerf. You can also control the burr by using the right nozzles, Mitsubishi spare parts, and Fanuc spare parts.

The Gas Dynamic

When it comes to nitrogen assist gas, operators need to make changes with quality, efficiency, and costs in mind. It can make up to 35 to 50 percent of the variable cost in laser cutting. Hence, it is important to control the overall consumption. When you set up cutting parameters, it is important to minimize the nozzle diameter. It is also essential to choose the smallest nozzle diameter that you can use to achieve the anticipated quality and performance.

After determining the smallest nozzle diameter, you need to determine the lowest possible pressure to obtain a quality cut with good molten metal separation with no burrs.

It is not the Speed

A burr-free finish is not something achievable with nozzle diameter and gas pressure. You also have to pay attention to the spare parts you are using. Make sure they are either Mitsubishi spare parts or Fanuc spare parts. Additionally, when you go too slowly, you might end up injecting more heat than needed in the kerf. And this might end up raising the temperature to an extreme level. Eventually, it causes vaporization which disturbs the gas flow

That disturbance, in turn, causes more burrs, not less. This means that an operator can make cut quality worse by slowing the feed rate.

You can prevent such events by increasing the cutting speed incrementally.

Consider Oxygen Cuts

When it comes to oxygen cutting for carbon steel, consider the exothermic reaction. It is a fact that with both CO2 and fiber lasers when you increase oxygen global purity to 99.95 percent or above, you can increase the cutting speed in production. Sometimes between 30 to 40 percent.

When an oxygen vacuum flask or cylinder has a drop in purity level, it is usually argon. It happens because the oxygen gets produced cryogenically in an air-separation unit, both oxygen and argon liquefy at similar temperatures.

When you add argon into it, it changes the exothermic reactions. It, in turn, affect the cutting performance. The exothermic reaction works in conjunction with the gas flow rate to burn and evacuate the molten material. If the molten material and oxidized slag aren’t removed effectively, it remains as a burr on the cut edge.

At last pumping

In most laser cutting systems, installers know to avoid elbows in the gas plumbing or to oversize the piping diameter to compensate for pressure drops. With downtime and gas not flowing to the laser, air penetrates and fills the pipe. It can cause problems when the laser is restarted for the next shift or operation.

Final Words!

In order to achieve the burr-free cut, the beam parameters and gas dynamics should work together to ensure the right amount of molten metal evacuates the kerf at the prime time.