Full Version: Cutting Anodized Aluminum
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#1]
28 Sep 2005
To: ALL
Hi Gang,
I have a customer who wants equipment rack legend tags. Initially he wanted "flexibrass" ( Joe, Ed, be nice) However he is not happy with the "gold/brass" look for the black on gold ( black face, gold letters) he wants to try metal plates instead.
Anodized Aluminum will work BUT, the tags need to be cut 1/4" wide by x inches long. Is it possible to cut the aluminum than thin effectively and still have decent edges?
Thanks
From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#2]
28 Sep 2005
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#1] 29 Sep 2005
You cannot do that on a standard shear, it will tend to curl.
What thickness are you talking about in the anodize?
From: RALLYGUY (RALLYGUY1) [#3]
29 Sep 2005
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#1] 29 Sep 2005
Depending on the thickness...we can typicaly cut that type of material, but we use diacro shears. Not sure how they differ from a standard shear that Harvey is talking about since it's all we have ever used.
There are translucent finishes available on standard trophy stock aluminum that has the look of anodizing....have you considered using something like that instead of actual anodized aluminum? Costs would be less in general.
One note of caution........Any corrosion resistant advantage you get by anodizing is lost where the piece is cut....Corrosion resistance will be nill at the cut point. The same goes for lasering or mechanical engraving anodized pieces....the anodic layer is removed and corrosion can be an issue. I am not sure what environment these will be in.
Did you consider sublimation for tags with varying information? We have used sublimation for this kind of project in the past with very positive results.
Brian G.
From: Shaddy [#4]
29 Sep 2005
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#1] 29 Sep 2005
http://www.idplates.com/
Maybe Frank from Chewbarka can help. chewbarka8898 at yahoo dot com
Shaddy
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#5]
29 Sep 2005
To: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#2] 29 Sep 2005
Harvey,
When you say thickness are you referring to the amount of anodization on the aluminum? If so, I was going to use just plain off the shelf laser engravable aluminum from JDS probably.......
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#6]
29 Sep 2005
To: RALLYGUY (RALLYGUY1) [#3] 29 Sep 2005
Brian,
The only equiment that I have to do this with at this time is my laser.
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#7]
29 Sep 2005
To: Shaddy [#4] 29 Sep 2005
Shaddy,
Thanks I'll look into them.
From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#8]
29 Sep 2005
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#5] 30 Sep 2005
I meant the thickness of the aluminum. A metal shear tends to twist thin aluminum when it cuts a narrow, long piece.
If you do not have a shear you must order the stuff precut.