Full Version: laser engraving sports balls?
From: rj (RANDYJOYCE) [#1]
8 Jan 2007
To: ALL
I may be covering old territory here but I am not having any luck searching recently.
I have had two calls in the last month to make branding irons for high schools to mark their sports balls with.
As a minimum an electric branding iron will run $200.00 and less than careful use could ruin the ball I have wondered why not laser the balls?
Has anyone lasered footballs, basketballs etc. It would seem a good service and a way into the schools for an awards store.
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#2]
8 Jan 2007
To: rj (RANDYJOYCE) [#1] 9 Jan 2007
Randy,
My initial thought is that the image area, on the surface of a compound curve, would have to be relatively small, in order for the laser to remain in focus, unless a (reliable) mechanical means of rotating the ball was used.
EDITED: 8 Jan 2007 by DGL
From: Mike (MIKEN) [#3]
8 Jan 2007
To: rj (RANDYJOYCE) [#2] 9 Jan 2007
I have lasered footballs and basketballs. I always warn the customer that the leather is thin and after lasering it probably won't be suitable for anything but display. But that's what they want.
I let the air out enough to get a flat surface sometimes using a form made of wood.
From: Jer (DIAMOND) [#4]
8 Jan 2007
To: rj (RANDYJOYCE) [#1] 9 Jan 2007
From: ben (MIDWEST1) [#5]
9 Jan 2007
To: ALL
Randy
Be careful lasering on basketballs, not many of them are leather anymore. My parents own a sporting goods store (33 years) and about 7-8 years ago basketball manufacturers went with synthetic materials because they look and feel like leather at a fraction of the cost, they still make leather basketballs but nobody uses them, footballs so far have stayed full grain leather for game balls, volleyballs they sell synthetic and full grain leather to schools. I have only had my laser about a year haven't done much on balls, but that is a great idea.
Ben
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#6]
9 Jan 2007
To: ben (MIDWEST1) [#5] 9 Jan 2007
If most balls are comprised of synthetic materials, that potentially raises the PVC issue we've often discussed.
PVC, when heated, releases a gas that's detrimental to the components of your laser machine, not to mention your personal health.
From: Vicky (ANDERI) [#7]
9 Jan 2007
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#6] 9 Jan 2007
Ever since getting my laser, I've developed the same phobia for PVC & Teflon as I have for spiders & bees. 8-O
So...how can we tell if an item has PVC in it?
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#8]
9 Jan 2007
To: Vicky (ANDERI) [#7] 9 Jan 2007
Vicki,
That question came up in Becky's thread about laser engraving faux leather. Started as a question about liability in engraving customer-provided merchandise, but turned into a laser safety thread.
http://engravingetc.org/forum/index.php?webtag=EE&msg=5686.1
The short answer to your question?
It would come down to a disclosure of the materials used in the manufacture of the item.
EDITED: 9 Jan 2007 by DGL
From: rj (RANDYJOYCE) [#9]
9 Jan 2007
To: ALL
Synthetics may be the reason to let it be. I will sell them branding irons.
I thought there might me a market for people working with schools on trophies and awards.
From: Bieb (HABIEB) [#10]
9 Jan 2007
To: rj (RANDYJOYCE) [#1] Unread
Here is a baseball I did. I used a roll of tape to position the ball. It took a couple tries to get it right. It is still not exactly correct, the lower left side of the logo (rope at the base of the anchor) is a tad lighter due to the curviture of the ball. The baseball is made by Worth. The actual logo is lighter than the pic, its more of a goldish/tan color.
Harold
Edit... I have also lasered a volleyball with eehhh results. The marking did not darken very much at all. It was a white synthetic cover.
EDITED: 9 Jan 2007 by HABIEB
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#11]
9 Jan 2007
To: Bieb (HABIEB) [#10] 11 Jan 2007
Very crisp image.
From: Ed (EMERY) [#12]
5 Feb 2007
To: Bieb (HABIEB) [#10] 7 Feb 2007
Hi
I saw your baseball, and it's incredible. How did you get the leather to turn so black? I've lasered a couple of baseballs, but the burn is nothing but a light brown.
Any ideas?
Edsel
From: Franklin (FW_HAYNES) [#13]
5 Feb 2007
To: Bieb (HABIEB) [#10] 7 Feb 2007
From: Bieb (HABIEB) [#14]
7 Feb 2007
To: Ed (EMERY) [#12] 7 Feb 2007
Edsel, The image is not as dark as that photo. The actual color is more of a tan/golden color. I think the color turned out well. I am not sure of the color difference of baseballs from various manufacturers. The one I showed was made by Worth, it says "Official BCA baseball" and "Meets NFHS Rule Specifications". I purchased a dozen from a sports uniform company that was local. I have some I bought on ebay that are made by Franklin, those have a Syntex cover. I have not lasered one yet, so I cant say what the difference in material looks like.
Harold