RE: Slate Engraving test runs
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I only have a 10W Diode laser so materials can be a bit limited, but I can still do glass also and mark good stainless steel, also anodized aluminium plates since you basically cut the coating, then I saw some people spray paint multilayers on canvas and engrave on that. It is time consuming though, that is a 30cm square image and took about 3 hours after some tweaks with initial tests at 4+ hours. I am actually looking at screenprinting as a nice option but that will come when I am willing to drop the money , for now I decided I should test straight up block printing , the engraver I think can cut me stencils on wood but if that is sucky I could try stencils on laser rubber and just roll fabric paint or whatever surface I am working with paint over I think. The screen printing I think would be a great addition to the bleached and reverse tie-dye shirt types,and with rubber I guess also you can do pad printing, but the rubber is pricey over time vs I feel a screen.
Thanks for the info. I asked because there is lots of scrap slate around here. Mines/quarries are only a 30 minute bike ride away.
With silk screening my only concerns are the emulsion costs. 4 hours is a long time for the laser but far quicker than doing it by hand. :D What's it like on copper or PCB circuit boards (mountains of scrap around you can sand down)
It would depend on the image you are engraving also, I tried for high detail on a completely "grayscale" image but I think I could have doubled my speed and power output and would not have lost too much detail once I figured out what made my edges seem blurry. Slate is quite forgiving also I guess since you can just sand it down although with these floor ones the lighter slate is not too far from the darker surface, each material will have its quirks.
Metals you might need to get a marking spray, stainless steel is the only one that has some kind of natural reaction to the diode laser, all the others you need marking spray and even then it might be best with a co2 laser , I think it is possible on diode but will take a bit of testing. All else fails if you can coat the metal first then remove coating with engraving then that is always viable I guess. Only metal I have tested was a pair of nail clippers for stainless steel and anodized aluminium dog tags. No clue about PCB , might be similar to acrylic so maybe you can cut it and even engrave with Diode (budget) likely definitely co2 and fibre.
Thanks for that. Good that I have you to teach what is th better buy and what to use. :D