Customizing cutlery
In this tutorial, we show you how you can upgrade stainless steel cutlery using a laser. The annealing process keeps the surface intact and the pieces can be cleaned easily.
![customized-cutlery-laser-marking](/static_processed/fa5364243fa25c744a8a96b13c95f84a/.jpg?{"image":"https://backend.troteclaser.com/static/images/knowledge/diy-samples/Cutlery/customized-cutlery-laser-marking.jpg","edits":{"resize":{"width":1280,"height":640,"fit":"cover"}}})
The annealing process keeps the surface intact, meaning your pieces can be cleaned easily and won't rust.
Preparation
Required material
- Stainless steel cutlery
- Lego to position the items in the machine
Machine used
- Speedy 360 flexx
- 30 W fiber laser
- 2.85" lens
- vacuum table
You can use any other machine of the Speedy Flexx laser engraver series.
Important
Remeber to keep the surface of the material as flat as possible (parallel to the table) when positioning it in the machine.
Step by step
![laser-marking-metal-cutlery](/static_processed/939ce0ce3d925dc326453a2e3f685af7/.jpg?{"image":"https://backend.troteclaser.com/static/images/knowledge/diy-samples/Cutlery/laser-marking-metal-cutlery.jpg","edits":{"resize":{"width":650,"fit":"cover"}}} "laser-marking-metal-cutlery.jpg")
Step 1: Design
We'll start off the process by importing our provided template to the laser. You can also create your own design and use that instead. Send the job to the laser using the following printer driver settings.
Printer driver settings:
| Process mode | Resolution | Cut line |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 1000 dpi | none |
| Halftone | Others |
|---|---|
| color | - |
![cutlery-laser-marking-metal](/static_processed/6b2a7487e3299eba1249290fbd5d8d97/.jpg?{"image":"https://backend.troteclaser.com/static/images/knowledge/diy-samples/Cutlery/cutlery-laser-marking-metal.jpg","edits":{"resize":{"width":650,"fit":"cover"}}} "cutlery-laser-marking-metal.jpg")
Step 2: Laser process
Next, you will need to determine and set the parameters for your application. Always keep in mind that the parameters could change, depending on the laser machine used and laser power available.
TIP:
We made use of Lego blocks to position our cuterly. They are incredibly practical if you have to compensate for height variences or to locate exact positions. Especially in cases when the production of a jig will not prove beneficial.
LASER PARAMETERS ANNEALING
| Color | Process | Power (%) | Speed (%) | ppi/Hz |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| black | Engraving FLP | 90 | 3 | 30000 |
| Passes | Air Assist | Z-Offset | Advanced |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | on | +2 mm | - |
![customized-cutlery-promotional-items](/static_processed/8a80998200dca3c6b2be68589bb79a48/.jpg?{"image":"https://backend.troteclaser.com/static/images/knowledge/diy-samples/Cutlery/customized-cutlery-promotional-items.jpg","edits":{"resize":{"width":650,"fit":"cover"}}} "customized-cutlery-promotional-items.jpg")
Step 3: Post-processing
The great part about this DIY is that no post-processing is necessary, because the cutlery is still dishwasher-proof.
![](/static_processed/666fff4d72dd3cc08ac610849af36edf/laser-engraver-speedy-400-left.png?{"image":"https://backend.troteclaser.com/static/images/Laser_Machines/Speedy_Series/laser-engraver-speedy-400-left.png","edits":{"extract":{"top":142,"left":497,"width":933,"height":393},"resize":{"width":650,"fit":"cover"}}})
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