Laser Engraving Wood

It may seem trivial to talk about laser engraving wood but considering that it is one of the products that most of us do a lot than we should spend some time talking about it. We can talk about raster engraving and vector engraving as two separate processes when it comes to wood.

Raster Engraving Wood

When a laser is raster engraving (Figure 1 shows us some samples of raster engraved images) the laser marks with a back and forth motion. This motion is similar to what you would see with a laser printer or an inkjet printer. The laser slowly moves its way down the table. The amount of the movement is dictated by the dpi that has been chosen in the driver. When we are engraving a message in wood we use the raster movement of the laser to create the message. … Continue Reading

Cermark / Thermark Metal Marking Spray

The TherMark process utilizes marking materials, or “inks,” available in various forms, which are applied to surfaces to be marked. The ink is then selectively fused – using patented laser marking technology – to the surface with a regular industrial marking laser. Finally, any excess ink is easily cleaned from the surface. The inks are scientifically formulated to make a permanent, chemical bond to surfaces, without compromising or damaging the material being marked.

TherMark marking materials are available as paintable liquids, aerosols or adhesive transfer tapes. The paintable liquid may be applied to surfaces with a brush, sponge or air sprayer. After fusing with the laser, any excess paintable liquid or aerosol spray can be cleaned from the surface by simply rinsing with water. Tapes are applied to surfaces using their own light adhesives. After fusing with the laser, the tape is lifted from the surface, carrying away any excess marking material. The used tape is then discarded.

Regardless of the application, the end result is a durable, high-contrast and high-resolution mark. (as appears from the Thermark web site) … Continue Reading

Creating a Custom Colour Swatch Chart
By Mike Clarke
Sep 8, 2003, 23:58

Download RGB swatch page

Creating a Custom Colour Swatch Chart

One of the things that can be a problem when you are sublimating is creating colours that are the same as on your screen as what you get on your finished product. One way to help solve this problem is to create a swatch of your colours and print the swatch out so that you can compare the colours on your screen with what you have printed.

Creating the Swatch in CorelDraw Version 8 and 9

The colour chart file located below is a CorelDraw 8 file that has been created by McCollough for those who wish to print out the standard RGB chart. Each one of the color swatches has its appropriate RGB numbers attached to it. All you need to do is open the file and print it out on you material that you want to use for sublimation. … Continue Reading

Working with CorelDraw’s Colour Palette for Lasers

Working with CorelDraw’s Colour Palette

One of the more overlooked features in CorelDraw is the use of Colour Palettes. Typically when we install CorelDraw, the program loads its default palette. If you look to the right of your screen you will see the colour palette – it is the bar that holds all the little squares of colour.

Let us look at the colour palette.

1. The first thing that I will get you to do is to open up the colour palette browser. This is found in WINDOW|COLOUR PALETTES|COLOUR PALETTE BROWSER – see Figure 1. … Continue Reading

Creating Images on a Path

Sometimes you may find it necessary to take an image duplicate this image so that it flows along a predetermined path.

Here’s how we create the image. … Continue Reading

Figure 1

DUST COLLECTOR 2HP 1596 CFM 1 MICRN CSA

Item No: CT030
Professional Dust Collection System

This powerful lower noise factor dust collection system is portable or may be
set up in semi-permanent locations. Rigid pipe connectors are ideal for fixed
installations with flex pipe to machine. Shake dust from top bag and remove
dust and chips from lower bag only. New dust bags reduce to 1 micron the size
of dust particles entering your workplace from the collector. New polyethylene
(lower) bags are transparent and allow visual inspection of the contents.
This 2 HP model may be used in machine groupings especially when only one
machine is being used at any one time. … Continue Reading

Blower Specifications for Epilog Laser Engravers

We have outlined in this article what we feel is a good blower for you laser engraver. This specification is based on an installation where you are no farther than 20 feet from the laser machine to the exit of your exhaust pipe out the wall. The attached blower is available at Busy Bee tools. We would suggest that you also purchase a gate that allows you to restrict the flow of air for thin materials.
Figure 1 is a picture of the blower that we suggest. It is a 1 hp dust collector blower.

Figure 1

DUST COLLECTOR 1HP 825 CFM 1 MICRON CSA

Item No: CT029N
Dust Collector, 1 HP

This powerful lower-noise factor dust collector is portable or may be set up in
semi permanent locations. Rigid pipe connectors are ideal for fixed
installations with flex pipe to machine. Shake the top bag and remove dust and
chips from the lower transparent bag. Transparency of the lower bag (made of
polyethylene) allows you to view the contents without constantly opening the
bag. The standard 1 micron bag guarantees to capture dust particles of 1 micron
or bigger so that they do not enter your working environment. … Continue Reading

this will be updated soon