Full Version: Flexible Laser Mask?
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#16]
21 Mar 2005
To: John (ICTJOHN) [#15] 21 Mar 2005
John,
That would, without a doubt, be the hot item (laser image, then apply to substrate).
Shelf life of traditional photo-resist is very limited. The laserable mask doesn't have as finite a shelf life (if any at all).
Seems like a variation of Chuck Burke's ("Plasti-Dip") idea on a carrier, could be lased, then an adhesive (spray?) could be applied to the surface and applied to a substrate ala vinyl lettering.
Should be flexible and durable enough.
David "The Stunt Engraver" Lavaneri
DGL Engraving
Port Hueneme, CA
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#17]
21 Mar 2005
To: Rodney Gold (RODNEY_GOLD) [#13] 22 Mar 2005
Rodney,
Are you saying mask the glass with TAPE? Then laser and blast?
I wonder why that would not work, since we use the tape to hold the resist anyway. I think I might try just taping a glass and see what happens
From: laserman (MIKEMAC) [#18]
21 Mar 2005
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#17] 21 Mar 2005
Chuck,
I think the cleaning after the fact might be the reason. When tape is lasered it gets soft or mushy and then becomes hard to clean not Impossible but difficult.
From: Rodney Gold (RODNEY_GOLD) [#19]
22 Mar 2005
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#17] 22 Mar 2005
Yeh , we use el cheapo paper based application tape used in the vinyl sign industry or masking tape - we were told it couldnt possibly work (by one of the top USA based blasting "teachers" who shall remain nameless;) But it works a treat.
The problem is overblasting , IE you cant blast the stuff forever and a day before it wears thru , but it doesnt take a long time to know exactly when to stop (when you see the residue clear).
In a pinch there is another option , but it is not recommended.
Buy polymeric cast vinyl (very thin and flexible) which you can use to wrap over a compound surface (you can actually wrap a ball with the stuff with a hair dryer to heat it) and laser it , it releases Chlorine and this combines with moisture to form hydrochloric acid , both the gas and the acid are bad news for you and the laser but if you really need it , it works.
From: Rodney Gold (RODNEY_GOLD) [#20]
22 Mar 2005
To: laserman (MIKEMAC) [#18] 23 Mar 2005
The paper tapes dont get mushy when lasering them , and cleaning after is a snap , you just wet the glass and all the tape comes off with a light rub.
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#21]
22 Mar 2005
To: Rodney Gold (RODNEY_GOLD) [#19] 22 Mar 2005
Rodney,
Thanks for your tip. I will know tomorrow how well this Plasti Dip works. It worked pretty good the first time, but there were very minor flaws that I was not going to accept. ( If I won't accept them, my customer won't).
I'll let you know how it works out. If it doesn't I will try the tape idea.
This is my first job, and WHY!!!! does it have to be so frustrating. :)
Thanks
From: Rodney Gold (RODNEY_GOLD) [#22]
22 Mar 2005
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#21] 22 Mar 2005
From: laserman (MIKEMAC) [#23]
23 Mar 2005
To: Rodney Gold (RODNEY_GOLD) [#20] 23 Mar 2005
Rodney,
I thought he was talking about regular masking tape as we call it here. There are thousands of different tapes. With our experience with the cheep Masking tapes the adhesive became soft or gooey when lasered and the only method of cleaning was to use cleaners like Naptha Etc.
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