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Elecrow Laser Engraver Tool

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Elecrow Laser Engraver Tool

bambam67

334

Jun 8, 2018

"Able to engrave wood, paper, plastic, leather, and more" does more include aluminum, steel or other hard metals?

rugbybob

Jun 8, 2018

bambam67According to their website https://www.elecrow.com/ac110-240v-1000mw-laser-engraver-diy-handicraft-wood-burning-tools.html
"More" does not include Metal, Glass, Stone, Acrylic, or Ceramic.

bambam67

334

Jun 12, 2018

rugbybobyup and im out. but for the price i halfway expected the limitations.

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Daed

574

Jul 26, 2018

bambam67Expect to pay about 50x this price to engrave metal.

Daed

574

Jul 26, 2018

bambam67Oh, I should mention, my 2.5W laser can mark, though not engrave, black anodized aluminum. It burns the black dye, but obviously doesn't ablate the metal itself. Well, it worked for my sample size of 1, at least. Different thicknesses, different anodization methods, who knows. Might work with multiple passes here.
I've also heard that other people with 2.5W lasers have been able to *mark* steel with a low-powered laser and a chemical helper (Molybdenum Disulfide). Most people recommend using a 40W laser minimum for this method, but rumor has it, some success has been had with the 2.5W machines. That might work on this, if you get your focus tight enough, and take multiple passes, I'm not sure.

fazalmajid

175

Aug 31, 2018

Daed25x for a Glowforge.

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Daed

574

Aug 31, 2018

fazalmajidUnfortunately, the Glowforge is only using a 40W laser. It cannot engrave metal. Their site (https://glowforge.com/faq/materials-and-uses#what-materials-can-glowforge-cut-engrave)first says that it can, then clarifies that it cannot. They're playing fast and loose with the term for the first statement -- it can MARK metal, as I clarified above, but it can not engrave metal. By definition, engraving (and etching) is the *removal* of material. "Glowforge can etch some metals, like anodized aluminum, directly. Other metals, like stainless steel, work best if you spray them first with a product such as Cermark. This process discolors the metals but does not engrave them away, so the surface still feels smooth to the touch. Unfortunately the power levels of a desktop machine aren't quite enough to cut metal..." If you "etch" anodized aluminum with a Glowforge, or any other 40W laser, it will burn the dye used in the anodization process, but it will not vaporize the aluminum. The surface will be just as smooth as before.

fazalmajid

175

Sep 1, 2018

DaedThanks for the clarification. What laser wattage do you need for true engraving?

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Daed

574

Sep 2, 2018

fazalmajidI don't have any experience with it myself, but I've read that you need at least a 100W laser to actually engrave metal. And that with an oxygen assist, you can cut sheet steel with a 100+W laser.
No surprise there... Oxygen assist is how you cut steel with an acetylene torch, too.
Things get more complicated with metal, though. When you want to engrave/cut plastic, wood, leather, cardboard, etc., it's all just a matter of power vs time. When you get into metal, you have to start really understanding the material. Just ask a welder :).

Tigerman

412

Sep 4, 2018

DaedYep, I agree about things getting complicated. I kept half-heartedly hoping that this engraver would be able to engrave metal, if I somehow tried really hard... until I remembered how reflective metal is. I heard that some jewellery metals can't be laser-cut at all, because they reflect nearly 100% of the beam. Imagine you're melting metal with 1% of your laser's power, while the other 99% is reflecting back up... I enjoy danger, but let's give that one miss. It's getting into light sabre territory.

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fazalmajid

175

Sep 4, 2018

TigermanCNC engravers using rotary diamond wheels like those made by Roland would seem the best option for metal but they are even more expensive than laser engravers.

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