Does anyone laser engrave 3d printed parts?
What is the name & make?
I’ve seen a few YouTube vids on the Xtool F1 and was wondering what others use and what is the detail like.
Just to add a bit more detail. I’m mainly looking at laser engraving text.
Any of the many inexpensive ~10W diode laser cutters will be fine. But not all plastics engrave well. ABS for example, tends to melt before burning off and it can leave a blobby mess.
Not to mention that the fumes from ABS are not good for you. We do a fair bit of laser engraving at work and defocus the laser by about 3mm to prevent the melting. We have an industrial galvo type laser, it’s great to do small areas (70mm x 70mm is the biggest we do) but is incapable of doing large areas like a cnc type laser would.
If I get one it would be engraving PETG.
I’ve also seen that different colours engrave better, which is logical.
I know black filament engraves good but I’ve seen mixed results from blue filaments, which I usually use.
I do both, 3D printing and laser cutting/engraving…
So I could not resist trying to engrave printed creations - I do now…
With my CO2 laser and the right pulse settings some plastics do vaporise nicely, others, like ABS not so much.
No matter what it creates a huge amount of smoke that is no good for the equipment and filters…
Using the diode laser (blue, not IR) comes with similar issues.
Not to mention that certain colours just won’t work and ‘suitable’ ones produce a mess.
Assuming most won’t have a fibre engraving laser (works best) nor a CO2 laser:
White plastics work well for engraving things like a logo or image through colour change of the SURFACE.
Black works well too but of course is far less visible…
The to be engraved side should be printed on a smooth plate…
Use HIGH power and a fast speed, you want to heat the plastic as little as possible.
Do not attempt to engrave, let alone cut ABS or such things as it produces toxic and VERY corrosive fumes…
PETG is a good material choice and if you MUST you can even cut it.
Not really nice once it goes to goo and the smoke isn’t fun either but at least not corrosive to whatever you have around.
I STRONGLY recommend to TEST whatever plastic you want to try first!!
BLACK smoke is a bad sign, same if the fumes have the usual burning plastic stink to them that neither your nose nor your lungs like.
White to greyish smoke is (mostly) fine.
Some plastics, due to the pigments/fillers used produces A LOT of smoke particles, meaning it is extremely fine solids.
As said I try to avoid using my lasers on plastics but if I have to I also have a window right behind the machine and an evaporative cooler on the roof.
I open the first and crank up up the fan speed of the later to blow all ■■■■ right out of the window…
Still means a lot of cleaning on the machine once done …
I would definitely test all materials and colours first.
The problem is, finding a good, cheap, laser engraver that can do PETG Blue filaments.
I don’t want to buy one and it doesn’t work.
Well if you have the filament swatches you’ll notice that 90% of them are injection molded and laser etched. Then the ones that are printed were part marked
Filament swatches? What, from the laser engraver manufacturers?
I don’t have any filament swatches. I’m just after info on if anyone has used a good cheap laser engraver that can engrave PETG Blue.
That’s what I’m getting at… bambu labs sell their filament swatch kit and they didn’t print all those colors out of their filament…
They also laser engraved the code and type onto the plastic since you can see the burn patterned edges. But the few that were printed are only part marked with white paint
Are you saying that the filament swatches that Bambu are selling are not from their filaments? I haven’t bought these swatches, so I haven’t seen them.
I’m not sure what laser machine Bambu have used but I think it cost more than I’m willing to spend, to engrave a couple of parts every month.
Alright I guess my answers are not exactly what you’re wanting.
the correct answer is yes you can laser engrave PETG. it would need to be very low wattage and have a small optic range so pretty close to the part.
as for where do get that done, youd have to search and see what machines are available.
So any laser machine will do?
Like this Comgrow Z1 10-W one?
I do laser engrave 3D printed parts with my xTool F1 mainly with the Infrared laser. I mostly print with PLA +/Pro & PETG +/Pro and it does mainly well on black and other dark coloured filaments. I have tried with the blue light diode but leaves more of a melted look. I never dialed it in for the BL because the infrared worked so well!
Here’s a picture frame I 3D with my @BambuLab P1S & AMS. Fame was printed with a Rosette wood infused PLA & the black back was PLA +
https://store.bambulab.com/products/bambu-filament-swatches-new
Filament swatches from Bambu of the Bambu filaments. They occasionally give them out as gifts if orders over some value. Might not have new filaments though.
I think the laser they use for them will be beyond my budget though…
Would still be interested to see what they use for it though.
I have a fiber laser, and it marks PET-G, ABS and PLA easily
What make and model is it?
Ima try out laser engraving tmrw but I have a Creality Falcon 5W
I have a ComMarker Omni 1 UV laser and just figured out the right settings to engrave my logo on my products.
This is on BL’s PLA-CF.
Very nice! $3999 nice. (On sale)
