AcryliPrint™ versus Laser etching?

[Stephen Beckham]

I know this is engraving forum, but I'm thinking of moving into the Acryliprint game to add to the laser so I don't just have a white etching option with the laser, I could do color as well.

Anyone have knowledge, use or information on the AcryliPrint™ Fusion Processor?

Steve

[Mike Null]

Steve

Don't have much info but it seems that the Acrylic Idea Factory is using something like this.

I'm sure it will be at the ARA in Las Vegas next month if you plan to attend that show.

[Stephen Beckham]

Rgr... I believe they are selling the Fusion Machine to do it... The 1st generation of color on acrylic looked nothing like the email traffic or catalog prints... My understanding is this 2nd gen machine gives greater quality, but it's like the worlds best secret right now - I requested info, but got the run-around....

Guess I'll have to wait till after the show to see what's up with it...

[Martin Boekers]

Steve, Acrylic Idea factory makes these. Set up fees make it expensive for one ups.

I have a sample set I ordered for about $25 nice set. A little gimicky not sure how long it will hold peoples interest. Sort of like the Crystal Imprints.

There are a handfull of ways you can experiment with now with out a lot of cost.

These include;

Color laser transfer
http://www.themagictouchusa.com/prod...rdsurface.html

Prints on mylar with UV adhesive.
http://www.dyetrans.com/crystalmprin....php?ref=conde

Water slide decals
http://www.papilio.com/

More cost but something I'd explore before this process. A flat bed printer
that you could print on a variety of substrates from baseballs, tiles, wood plastic etc.


On the transfer products most would require a back spray as the toners are transparent. I've used white spray paint, gold, silver etc for a nice set of effects.

I too got a run around from AIF they were going to have a tech call but that never came.

The sample I got had a heavy plastic backing, I haven't tried engraving through that, but if you design the image right you could engrave on the front side.


Since they are calling it "Fusion" I'm leaning toward a UV adhesive.

Marty

[Stephen Beckham]

Just got a PDF flyer about the process - so I guess the 'run-around' I spoke of earlier was just a blanket auto-response. Now that I've actually talked to someone, it seems like it might be a marketable thing in the future.

The machines are not publically available yet and AI are the only ones doing it. Not much more information than that as far as having one at your local store.


@ Martin, thanks - I realized that it would be expensive for one-offs - but if the process is viable and the machines are made available for us local vendors, it might make a huge profit margin if the quality is as good as the photos in the flyers... The Crystal ones were way too expensive and had a poor color quality. Almost jumped on that when it came out, but a friend did first and now I'm glad I didn't... I'd like to see one of these in action at the factory or at a show before I get too excited about them.

[Martin Boekers]

The quality is pretty good as I got 3 or 4 actual samples from them.

The crystal stuff can be better than what they showed, I just haven't had much time to experiment with it. If you printed to a white mylar instead of clear I think the effect would be similar to AIF product.

You don't need the whole package (Crystal Imprints) you can set up a UV cure system for a $100 or so. Then all you need is the glue.

I have thought about that here as I have a heck of a time getting Weld-On to look good consistantly. They have UV adhesives for glass as well as acrylic.

I use CLTT for tiles and it has been a great seller on base.

Waterslide decals have been a great option when I needed centerpieces with images and text (great for candles)

I too am always looking for new ways to incorporate color images into a project easily and cheaply.

[Victor Sud]

Just received from Acrylic Idea:

The blanks come with an optically clear adhesive already applied to the back. You simply print a full color graphic on a regular ink jet printer with regular ink, apply the printed image to the acrylic piece, then fuse the image to the acrylic by placing it in the fusion processor for 90 seconds.

The Fusion Processor requires a compressor to run.

You must use Acrylic Idea Factory blanks with the adhesive already applied in order to perform the process.

[Martin Boekers]

When I worked for a graphics shop we mounted photos or transparencies to acrylic sheets for displays.

We used a cold laminating roller process. We did large sheets and quantities at a time so our laminating machine was bigger and a bit more sophisticated than this;

http://www.calumetphoto.com/item/CD0064/

but this would be cheap enough to get started, you can get hand cranked ones for a couple hundred dollars but this one can be adjusted to take up 2" thick material.

The material we used was an optically clear double sided adhesive.
there are a handful out there, Permacolor, Optimount and a few others.
These are pressure sensitive and not cheap!

There is definetely a learning curve in applying these. A clean area is a MUST as it creates static when you run them. Any bit of dust can cause a "tenting" with an air pocket. After you get the hang of it it isn't too bad.

With some practice and since most of these are on small piece you maybe able to get by with a hand squeegee to get stared and experiment with.

If they are using a compressor on their Fusion Machine that tells me they maybe using a vacuum mount.

If your interested in doing this I suggest that you find a graphics or display company in your area, take some samples and see if they'll help you with running some tests with cold mounts. (you may even end up with a new clients to sell laser work to).

The thing I would worry about with buying into a proprietary system is;
if for whatever reason AIF quits selling the product are there other uses for their machine?

Just some thoughts,

Marty

[Mike Null]

I had the pleasure of a surprise visit from Roy Brewer of Engraving Concepts today. As many of you know, Roy and daughter, Jeanette are active members of SMC.

After discussion of several topics the subject of Acryliprint came up. Roy not only knew about it but advised me that his company would be one of the distributors. Next question--"Roy do you have any samples"? He did and I was stunned at the quality of the image. Absolutely the best I have seen and a process, I think, has tremendous potential in many areas.

The official introduction is scheduled for the ARA show in Las Vegas in February. I was not considering any major equipment outlays this year but once Roy sends samples and I put them in front of a few of my better commercial customers I may have to re-think that.

Acrylic Idea Factory is the developer of the process and the Fusion Device.

[Joe Hayes]

Not only did you get to visit with Roy, you got first look at this new toy.
Sound like it will be one of the first things I want to see at LV. Looking forward to our plane ride out and having some visiting time with you in a few weeks.

[Martin Boekers]

Mike as far as quality goes you are absolutely right. The samples I ordered were very nice! (very slight air bubbles not real noticeable just slightly) It looked like they occurred at the initial contact spot. That can be expected and as long as they are kept to a minimum that's not a problem!

The one issue I had was in the way they advertised it, even on their web page

http://www.aifcatalog.com/

16 million colors no extra charge. (no mention of the set-up fee, which to me is an extra charge) a bit deceptive.

I was looking to do a generic design that would lend itself to an area for front engraving. That may still happen once award season is over and I can spend sometime on a design.

the thick textured black backing they added gave it a nice "finished look."

I do think it's a nice product and lends itself well to the ad specialty and corporate markets, where quantities come into play.

Any new products that aren't just a different shape or color (and this IS a new product) gives us another option for clients.

I applaud the manufacturers that come up with new products and take the gamble of bringing them to the market place.

I am curious though if this process uses double-sided adhesive (either hot or cold mount) or a UV curing process. Maybe even something I haven't thought of, a new technology!

I guess after ARA we will all learn a bit more about it!


Marty

[Mike Null]

I saw only the acrylic product; no literature nor the Fusion device.

As I understand the process, and this is apparently the most important part, the adhesive is proprietary and so far AIF feels to maintain consistency, they must apply it to the acrylic.

That means that the machine must be purchased from an AIF distributor and the acrylic from AIF.

The image is made with a good quality inkjet printer.

I won't attempt to describe the machine, which I haven't seen, except to say it is not a vacuum device.

[Bill Stein]

I use CLTT for tiles and it has been a great seller on base.

Martin, what tiles are you using and where do you get them? I have been trying various tiles and haven't gotten any results that are scratch resistent.

Bill

[Martin Boekers]

I use basic wall tiles from Lowes Home Depot etc. $.15ea 4.25x4.25, $.49ea 6x6, $1 for 8x10.

Keep in mind these are being used as decorative pieces on plaques or framed. Yes you can scratch the toner off if you work at it, just as you can if they are silkscreened. You can set the toner a bit stronger after you remove the release paper and set it back in the press, platen raised for about 3-4 minutes.

If you were to use them as a back splash for a sink or a bar top for example you may want to spray them with a protectant coat. If you poly coated them they may work for flooring. My market is more the display so I haven't researched a "harder use" tile.

Dye sub tiles and ink are quite a bit more expensive than CLTT process and a bit harder to color manage. I'll post some of the products I make tomorrow when I'm back at the shop.

It's not a ceramic glaze but it works well within it's limitations.

Marty

[Bill Stein]

I've been using the ceramic glazed tiles from Lowes, HD, etc. also. And, I am post baking them. But they still scratch fairly easily. I have been playing around with spraying them with protective coatings after post baking. But it seems that the protective sprays adhere to the toner better than the tile and don't offer any additional protection. In other words, the scratch resistance still depends upon the adhesion between the toner and the tile. I was hoping for a protective coat that would keep a fingernail from reaching the toner. But it seems like it is just as easy to scratch with or without a coating. I'll keep looking and experimenting. There has to be something that is the equivalent to a spray on plastic overlay sheet. I just haven't found it yet.

Bill