Speedy series: Laser engraving and cutting machines for formats up to 1016 x 610 mm
⚫ Engrave | ⚫ Cut | ⚫ Mark |
Laser type: | CO₂, Flexx or Fiber laser |
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Work area: | 610 x 305 up to 1016 x 610 mm |
Max. workpiece height: | 125 - 305 mm |
Laser power: | 20 - 120 watts |
SP series: CO2 laser cutter for large-format materials.
⚫ Engrave | ⚫ Cut | ⎯ Mark |
Laser type: | CO₂ laser |
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Work area: | 1245 x 710 up to 3250 x 3210 mm |
Max. workpiece height: | 50 - 112 mm |
Laser power: | 40 - 400 watts |
Marking laser stations with galvo marking heads. Marking area up to 44.1 x 25.0 inch.
⚫ Engrave | ⎯ Cut | ⚫ Mark |
Laser type: | CO₂ or Fiber laser |
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Max. work area: | 190 x 190 up to 1300 x 450 mm |
Max. workpiece height: | 250 - 764 mm |
Laser power: | 20 - 100 watts / 20 + 100 watts MOPA |
Tips and tricks for three-dimensional laser engraving
In this tutorial, we will show you what to consider when relief engraving with a laser and how to achieve good results.
A relief engraving means a deep engraving with differing heights, which are created by gray shades in the graphic. The Trotec laser automatically regulates its performance using these grayscales and thus generates different heights in only one pass. Relief engravings are a real eye-catcher and make any application more attractive. They are ideal for gift items, jewelery or as add-ons for goblets and trophies.
You can generate data by using grayscale fillings and gradients, which are sent to the laser via the process type "relief." Any shades of grey from 0 to 100% black can be used, which produces different heights in the material. Grayscale gradients create flowing transitions of these different heights.
The Trotec laser regulates the output power via the grayscale in the graphic. The darker the graphic, the more power is delivered. The brighter, the less power. For the laser, 100% black means 100% power - i.e. 100% of the value defined as power in the parameter database. 40% black means 40% of the defined power, 18% black means 18% power, etc. The screenshot shows examples of what files for relief engravings can look like. Feel free to download our test files here.
If you need high-quality data or photo representations for relief engravings, they should be created in a 3D program, because such programs generate extremely fine gradations at gray steps. This is a complex process. There are companies that offer this sort of individual data creation, e.g. www.gantryco.com
The engraving of a relief can be performed with materials that have the same layer structure throughout or are completely permeated with color and thus have a uniform appearance. The most suitable are:
Relief engraving on wood usually produces impressive results. We recommend using relatively hard woods to create a relief engraving:
Oak is less suitable. Due to the fact that its annual rings differ in density, the relief engraving results in an inhomogeneous engraving pattern. Alder is also not recommended for relief engraving. It is very soft and discolors quickly, making the overall appearance of the relief difficult to see.
For relief engraving on wood, we recommend the following method (details are based on the use of the Speedy360, 80 watt laser): Engrave your desired graphics in 3-4 passes with high performance and low speed (p 100%, v30%) to create the desired depth of your relief. Finally, we recommend one or two rounds at low power and high speed. (p 60%, v100%). this will allow you to engrave away the smoke residue.
If you want to achieve very deep engraving, we recommend that you first engrave the cutting contour and only perform the deep engraving in the second step.
Clean your laser-engraved relief with a toothbrush, using water and soap or detergent. Brush generously over the relief and simply scrub away the traces of powder. Make sure not to use too much water and dry your workpiece well, e.g. using compressed air. Otherwise the piece of wood could lose its shape.
You can also create a relief engraving in wood to achieve a color change. For this purpose, we recommend that you clean the workpiece thoroughly after the relief engraving, as described above. This will remove the smoke traces that would otherwise impair the subsequent engraving result. Then place the cleaned and dried workpiece back in your Trotec laser and engrave with the standard values Solid Wood "black" from JobControl®. The integrated z-offset value of +6mm is important for achieving a nicely discolored engraving result. If the effect is too low, increase the z-offset value.
Relief engraving on acrylic creates an elegant effect on trophies or other applications. When relief engraving acrylic, it is important to work without additional Air Assist (= OFF) and with a z-offset value, so that the material does not become cloudy or acquire a milky-white discoloration.
This data is based on the use of the Speedy360, 80 watt laser: Use a slow engraving speed in combination with high power (p=90%, v=10%) and switch off the Air Assist when engraving. This gives the material sufficient time to melt and -- depending on the performance of your Trotec laser -- produces an excellent texture in the first pass. Further passes create an even deeper three-dimensional effect. Equally important is the use of a z-offset value of +2mm to +4mm. This preserves the transparency of the acrylic.
Clean the finished acrylic workpiece under running water with a toothbrush to remove any dust from the cracks.
An application example for a relief application made of wood can be found here:
DIY sample Balloon Trophy
This video shows relief engraving on wood on our Canadian Trotec youtube channel.