Full Version: Metal Alloy Coating

From: Phyllis (TXTWYST) [#1]
 26 Jan 2007
To: ALL

I have a customer who wants to engrave a name on part of a fishing reel. I have contacted the reel company and they say the part that he wants to engrave is a "metal alloy coating, with a clear coat finish." Underneath that metal alloy coating is graphite.

On the opposite side of where the engraving needs to be is the company name in black. I can't tell what method was used to put on there. You can "feel" the letters though.

Before I even bother testing an inconspicuous area, I thought I'd throw it out here and see what everybody has to say.

All I know to do would be to get it in position (which will be fun in itself!) and then laser with nothing and see what happens--or see if the clear coat lasers off at all. Then if nothing happens, try to add Cermark in the same area and run it and see if it marks.

It's a very shiny gold color. If I run it without Cermark, will I need to mask it since it's so shiny?

I'm attaching a picture of it just for grins.

Thanks in advance for your advice.
Phyllis

From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#2]
 26 Jan 2007
To: Phyllis (TXTWYST) [#1] 26 Jan 2007

Phyllis,

The existing lettering is probably silk screened.

From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#3]
 27 Jan 2007
To: Phyllis (TXTWYST) [#1] 27 Jan 2007

Clear coats are sometimes clear to a CO2 laser also. The clear coat on the brass sheeting virtually cannot be removed by the laser. I made 5 passes on a test piece with 100% power and .5% speed but could not remove it. It did leave a slight indent in the coating but blackening solution still would not get through what was left. Cermark would have the same problem.

From: Mike (MIKEN) [#4]
 27 Jan 2007
To: Phyllis (TXTWYST) [#3] 27 Jan 2007

My guess is that it has been pad printed and also that lasering this material would be too risky.

From: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#5]
 27 Jan 2007
To: Phyllis (TXTWYST) [#1] 27 Jan 2007

I would refer them to a stunt engraver in your area. :P

From: UncleSteve [#6]
 27 Jan 2007
To: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#5] 27 Jan 2007

I know this is the "Laser Engraving" folder but the job sounds more like a rotary job using a diamond burnisher and THEN adding a color fill.

"When all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail!" Sometimes ya just have to admit a screwdriver might work better!


:-&

From: Phyllis (TXTWYST) [#7]
 27 Jan 2007
To: ALL

i was very leary when i saw the reel... your replies make me feel better about my initial thoughts.

i'll be sending the reel back to the customer UNHARMED!

thanks for your input!!

phyllis
:-)

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