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SECTION 10: ENGRAVING MATERIALS
Combining Laser Engraving with Sandblasting
Combining the best of both processes, you can use your laser to engrave the artwork then use
sandblasting to provide a deep etch into glass. Using the laser to create the artwork mask is an ideal
process for one-of-a-kind custom pieces as well as large production runs. This eliminates the photo
process usually associated with sandblast mask.
1.
Apply an adhesive-backed mask material to the glass that you are going to engrave.
2. Laser completely through the mask and into the glass.
3. Remove the glass from the engraver and sandblast to the desired depth.
4. You now have a sandblasted glass presentation with the detail of laser engraving!
Notary Seals: Delrin
Notary seals can be easily manufactured using 1/16-inch (1.5 mm) thick delrin plastic. A seal consists of
two pieces - a male die and a female die, both shown below. The male die consists of white lettering on
a black background and the female die is an inverted and mirrored image of the male. Inverting and
mirroring are easily accomplished in most graphics software packages. Simply duplicate the male die,
invert the black and white colors, and then mirror the image.
Male Artwork
Female Artwork
The male image should be produced without the use of outlines around the text or graphics. Add a .007
to .010 inch (0.178 mm to 0.254 mm) outline to the text and graphics of the female die. This outline creates
a large enough void between the male and female dies to emboss paper without tearing.
Apply a .001 outline around the seal to define the outside edge of the seal. Use the Combined Mode to
first raster engrave the seal and then vector cut out the seal.
Plastic Engraving/Cutting
There are two types of available engraving plastics: rotary plastics and laserable plastics. Rotary
plastics are designed for rotary engraving systems that use a mechanical spinning bit to remove
material. Therefore, the depth of the top layer or "cap sheet" was designed to make it easy to rotary
engrave. Cap sheet thickness was approximately .010 inches (0.254 mm) thick and laser engraving was
nearly impossible because by the time you applied enough power to get through the cap sheet the laser
melted and deformed the plastic.
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