Full Version: Dog tags domed
From: LipChip [#9]
6 Mar 2006
To: sroehlk (ELECTECH1) [#8] 6 Mar 2006
I understand that your getting crystal clear domes. However, in a kiosk or production situation 15 minutes to cure would be extremely difficult to get products make efficiently.
Our customers are "loving" the doming/glazing property, and especially the color photo imaging on the products.
Each users sets his or her own price on the doming. I've seen it being offered from $3.00 - $9.00 onto Metaza, as a protection to the metals layer. Most customers will pay the price if you tell them it protects from scratching.
From: sroehlk (ELECTECH1) [#10]
6 Mar 2006
To: LipChip [#9] 7 Mar 2006
I wasn't trying to compare to what you are doing. Every resin that I have tried that is made for; or advertised for doming is clear and does not yellow.
How long does it take to produce one of the metaza tags? Adding another 15 minutes to that should not make or break the sale. I assume that in a kiosk situation the customers orders, does some shopping and picks up the item later. But I started this thread just to let other people know they can dome cheaply and get great products.
The faster time is great but not needed in my application.
I have no problem with what you are selling but it is not necessary to dome, especially in my application. And for people just wanting to see if doming is for them, this works great.
For those of you who are doming, what are you using?
Steve
From: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#11]
6 Mar 2006
To: sroehlk (ELECTECH1) [#8] 6 Mar 2006
Steve,
What brand of doming material are you using?
From: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#12]
6 Mar 2006
To: sroehlk (ELECTECH1) [#10] 6 Mar 2006
Doming definitely adds great perceived value to products. I don't know if you have ever seen round inserts that have been domed, but it makes a huge difference, especially on an award like the one pictured below. You may have to use your imagination a bit, but this trophy looks tremendously better when the round logo insert is domed. It reeks of quality.
EDITED: 6 Mar 2006 by DATAKES
From: sroehlk (ELECTECH1) [#13]
6 Mar 2006
To: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#12] 6 Mar 2006
I agree about doming in general.
Those do look nice.
But it is very hard to see in photo's.
I have no doubt lipchips stuff is very good. I just don't need. If I had a kiosk I might!
Steve
From: UncleSteve [#14]
6 Mar 2006
To: sroehlk (ELECTECH1) [#10] 6 Mar 2006
Bzzzzzt! Wrong answer! ;-)
Having hung around Harvey and Dee's kiosk, the customer doesn't move until they have their finished product. In the store, it is a bit different where the customers don't seem to mind coming back in a few but at the kiosk it is an impulse purchase not a "planned" purchase.
From: sroehlk (ELECTECH1) [#15]
6 Mar 2006
To: UncleSteve [#14] 6 Mar 2006
But if I had a kiosk I would not want a bare light bulb hanging over a doming area either.
The rest is not directed at you UncleSteve just pointing out:
The original intent of the thread was just to point out that doming can be easy and inexpensive. At least to try it out. If you get to the point you need a production line then buy whatever equipment needed.
From: UncleSteve [#16]
6 Mar 2006
To: sroehlk (ELECTECH1) [#15] 6 Mar 2006
From: Mick [#17]
6 Mar 2006
To: sroehlk (ELECTECH1) [#15] 6 Mar 2006
An excellent source for UV cure doming resins, and equipment is
The UV Cure 7155 cures quite well with low intenstiy black light. The more wattage you give it the faster it cures. I have cured it in 30 seconds or less with a 400 watt quartz halogen bulb.
Sublimation dyes will, however, over time, "migrate" into the epoxy dome.
From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#18]
6 Mar 2006
To: sroehlk (ELECTECH1) [#15] 6 Mar 2006
Steve is right in that most people want it yesterday. But most succumb to the reality that a good quality Metaza, called Impact at the shop, takes 40 min to an hour.
I can engrave them faster but not with the same quality. I think word of mouth as to the quality has brought in some customers.
Edit: How did goos get past the spell checker?
EDITED: 6 Mar 2006 by HARVEY-ONLY
From: Ken D. (KDEVORY) [#19]
6 Mar 2006
To: sroehlk (ELECTECH1) [#15] 6 Mar 2006
From: sroehlk (ELECTECH1) [#20]
6 Mar 2006
To: Mick [#17] 7 Mar 2006
Yes, I use the 7155 and 7156.
They are very clear and cure quickly.
From: sroehlk (ELECTECH1) [#21]
6 Mar 2006
To: Ken D. (KDEVORY) [#19] 6 Mar 2006
The key, I found was getting the light bulb as close as possible to the item.
I like being able to lift the light up and out of the way while I place the items to be cured.
I had a drawer setup from ultradome.com. But after a while the bulbs were not curing. Instead of buying new ones I just purchased an 18" flourescent fixture.
I now use a different bulb that is a little better in uv output and doesn't cost much.
Steve
From: sroehlk (ELECTECH1) [#22]
6 Mar 2006
To: sroehlk (ELECTECH1) [#21] 6 Mar 2006
Here is the bulb I use now:
http://www.atlantalightbulbs.com/ecart/20Review.asp?ProductCode=F15T8BL&x=79&y=18
From: Ken D. (KDEVORY) [#23]
6 Mar 2006
To: sroehlk (ELECTECH1) [#21] 6 Mar 2006
From: sroehlk (ELECTECH1) [#24]
6 Mar 2006
To: Ken D. (KDEVORY) [#23] 7 Mar 2006
I guess I was thinking of something different. When you said box I was thinking you had to slide something in. Sliding can upset the epoxy and cause it to go over the edges occasionally. But then again bumping my table can do the same thing! :)
There are the high watt lights out there. I think the people selling "glazing" units use them. Cures in about 5 mins. But the glazing units cost from $1500 to $2500. I am thinking of the systems that do plates, ornaments etc. The "glaze" is epoxy from what I understand.
I will wait for 15 minutes at this point. And I am not really waiting. I put the items under the light and do whatever. I end up leaving them under longer all the time, cheap bulb so no worries about that.
From: sroehlk (ELECTECH1) [#25]
6 Mar 2006
To: sroehlk (ELECTECH1) [#24] 6 Mar 2006
Here are a try at pictures.
The first picture the tags are not domed.
Boy the pictures don't do justice to the process.
EDITED: 11 Jun 2006 by ELECTECH1
From: sroehlk (ELECTECH1) [#26]
6 Mar 2006
To: sroehlk (ELECTECH1) [#25] 6 Mar 2006
I am trying a higher resolution. It is higher than the forum limit and I will delete it if it does not show detail
There is more detail but still does not do justice.
The domes are crystal clear and no specs or lint in the domes. That was picked up off the scanner. Guess I need to clean the scanner glass.
EDITED: 11 Jun 2006 by ELECTECH1
From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#27]
7 Mar 2006
To: sroehlk (ELECTECH1) [#26] 7 Mar 2006
From: sroehlk (ELECTECH1) [#28]
7 Mar 2006
To: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#27] 8 Mar 2006
I really do need to get a digital with a good macro but I keep spending everything I make now. No room for a good digital yet.
I will have to check with friends and family and see if I can borrow one.
Steve