This ASCll art created using laser engraving is just an experiment for fun.
The application
The image of ASCll art is created by laser, engraving a series of lines constructed from alphanumeric characters. Known as ASCII Art, the images can be quite striking. The original graphic is converted with a simple translation software package and imported into the laser marking software front end.
Anodised Aluminium
In this example, we have used an anodised aluminium plate. This provides us with the highest contrast levels once the process is completed.
This electrolytic passivation, is widely used across industry on aluminium for a variety of reasons. The process can also provide a huge range of colour variations through the use of colour dying. The process changes the microscopic texture of the aluminium, by modifying the crystal structure near the surface.
The laser, in the case of Nd:YAG, is used to vaporise the top surface to remove the area affected by the anodising process exposing the host material. Where a darker dye colouring is used, the contrast levels remain high between the two contrasting surface areas.
We have utilised the services of an Nd:YAG laser for this example, but you could also use a fibre laser.
CO2 lasers can also be used to process anodised aluminium. In this case, it is the dye that is directly affected rather than the material. The energy from the laser, creates a heating action that removes the dye from the surface. The use of CO2, is generally not as well received as Nd:YAG, due to the lower quality created by the mark process. This is directly related to the fact that the heating effect is difficult to control due to “heat creep”. The result is a fuzzy edge to the mark image, and not as crisp as with Nd:YAG. The main advantage is, that no material is removed leaving the anodising closer to its original state, as a result, per unit cost will be slightly higher with CO2 due to the process time being slower.
If you would like further information on this laser marking application, or any other application, please request a call back, or talk to one of our laser marking specialists on 01737 826902.
