Laser Engraving and Acrylics?

[rjwolfe3]

I have a customer who would like a pen made from an acrylic blank and would like it to be engraved. Is it possible to laser engrave anything other than wood?

 

[jcollazo]

I had asked Ken about lasering some acrylics a while back. He said it was no problem and they looked real nice.

 

[GoodTurns]

Ken has done acrylics and ivory for me with very nice results...I am accumulating another package for him right now!

 

[rjwolfe3]

Ah thank you Joe and Jon and Ed, I was hoping that was the answer. I looked on his website but I didn't see anything that said otherwise. I will tell the customer this weekend.

 

[ed4copies]

Yes, Ken does acrylic. VERY well.

 

[relyeace]

You may have to color fill the engraving depending on the material used to produce the acrylic product. I know that Simlar 41 engraves clear and needs to be color filled to see the engraving.

 

[Sylvanite]

The common laser engravers work on most non-metallic materials, except pvc. Metals require either a much higher power (and different wavelength) laser, coatings, or special marking chemicals. PVC releases chlorine gas when lasered, which damages the optics.

Acrylics are among the more popular engraving materials and come out quite well. Cast acrylic engraves to a frosted white color. Extruded acrylic engraves clear.

Regards,
Eric

 

[Rudy Vey]

My laser engraver has done mostly wood, stabilized wood and also some acrylics done for me. And he also did laser engraving on some Titanium.
He has a standard laser engraver and the metal came out great.

 

[grub32]

Stan Cook

Stan Cook did several for me...They are very nice!! Colorfill was necessary. Stan is in WV...Not far from you and has a very fast return time.

Grub32

 

[rjwolfe3]

Thank you all.

 

[NancyLaird]

I have a customer who would like a pen made from an acrylic blank and would like it to be engraved. Is it possible to laser engrave anything other than wood?

I have engraved a number of acrylics, and to be perfectly honest, they turn out better than engraved wood. You can contact me if I'm closer to you than Ken.