Hey guys
I just got a call asking if I could laser on blackened stainless steel. I told them I'm not sure but I would check with the experts online. Thanks in advance.
Hey guys
I just got a call asking if I could laser on blackened stainless steel. I told them I'm not sure but I would check with the experts online. Thanks in advance.
Gene H
Epilog Helix 45watt
What you have to tell them is "give me a sample and I'll let you know." There are many kinds of stainless steel and several types of blackening processes. Plus you never know what might be on top of the blackening (such as a lacquer.) It also depends on the quality/appearance the customer expects and what kind of contrast is expected. (Do they want the black surface to turn light? Or just show a readable mark?) If it is to apply a part number the quality standards might be less than for, say, a company logo. It's possible Cermark might even adhere, but it would have low contrast. In my opinion the only way to approach something like this is to run a test.
Gene I suspect this is probably as Richard described, I think the only way you are going to find out is if they send you a sample of it. Might be as simple as sprayed black.
Epilog 45w Helix X3/X5 Corel Microflame Generator (flame polisher) Heat Bender
I hope its that easy. The guys said it is pocket knives.
Gene H
Epilog Helix 45watt
I suspect it is an oxidized finish and, in my limited experience, I don't think the laser will make a suitable mark.
Last week I attempted to do an order of Army issue Gerber combat knives (black oxidized finish) and the laser mark was too faint--not enough contrast. I ended up sandblasting them with names and outfits. I contacted Gerber and they are marking them with a YAG.
Mike Null
St. Louis Laser, Inc.
Trotec Speedy 300, 80 watt
Gravograph IS400
Woodworking shop CLTT and Laser Sublimation
Dye Sublimation
CorelDraw X5, X7
Don't forget, Cermark makes more colors than just black...
Hi-Tec Designs, LLC -- Owner (and self-proclaimed LED guru )
Trotec 80W Speedy 300 laser w/everything
CAMaster Stinger CNC (25" x 36" x 5")
USCutter 24" LaserPoint Vinyl Cutter
Jet JWBS-18QT-3 18", 3HP bandsaw
Robust Beauty 25"x52" wood lathe w/everything
Jet BD-920W 9"x20" metal lathe
Delta 18-900L 18" drill press
Flame Polisher (ooooh, FIRE!)
Freeware: InkScape, Paint.NET, DoubleCAD XT
Paidware: Wacom Intuos4 (Large), CorelDRAW X5
This is what cold steel says is a hard black baked on protective coat on 1055 carbon steel.
One pass with laser.
Bill Richardson
ULS V3.60 50w
Dan, have you ever used any of the other colors for cermark, if so, how does the mark look. Is it really colored engraving.
Epilog Fusion Fiber 30 watt
Epilog 36 EXT 75 watt
Epilog 36 EXT 60watt x 2
Epilog 32Ex 60watt (new tube, putting out 72 watts)
Epilog Summit 25watt x2
IL-60 2 x 100 watts 60" x 120"
Corel X6
Adobe CS6 Master Edition
"http://www.sawmillcreek.org/friends.php?id=128
Greg,
I've seen the pearl white (looks pretty good), but I've never used it myself. I haven't seen/used the bronze yet.
Hi-Tec Designs, LLC -- Owner (and self-proclaimed LED guru )
Trotec 80W Speedy 300 laser w/everything
CAMaster Stinger CNC (25" x 36" x 5")
USCutter 24" LaserPoint Vinyl Cutter
Jet JWBS-18QT-3 18", 3HP bandsaw
Robust Beauty 25"x52" wood lathe w/everything
Jet BD-920W 9"x20" metal lathe
Delta 18-900L 18" drill press
Flame Polisher (ooooh, FIRE!)
Freeware: InkScape, Paint.NET, DoubleCAD XT
Paidware: Wacom Intuos4 (Large), CorelDRAW X5
Richard, Ferro sells cermark that will engrave in Black, Blue and Bronze, possibly white (no red yet, but I hear they're working on it) I just havent used any yet, other than the regular black. was hoping somelse had used them and was looking for feedback, back some years ago when thay were first introducing cermark, they would send me samples, that not the case anymore.
Epilog Fusion Fiber 30 watt
Epilog 36 EXT 75 watt
Epilog 36 EXT 60watt x 2
Epilog 32Ex 60watt (new tube, putting out 72 watts)
Epilog Summit 25watt x2
IL-60 2 x 100 watts 60" x 120"
Corel X6
Adobe CS6 Master Edition
"http://www.sawmillcreek.org/friends.php?id=128
Gene - it depends on the brand of knife - I just did 10 Seal Pup (SOG) and they use a powder coating for their blacking. The laser with two passes was able to remove some of the coating, but was also able to bleach it a bit also. The result was a slight dip and slight color variation. Richard gave the key answer for you. I suggest you have them come by and laser a single dot somewhere on the blade where it won't stick out very bad. If you get good results then rock-n-roll....
Steve Beckham
Epilog Mini 24 with 45 Watt, Ricoh GX 7000 Sublimation, Corel X3, Corel X4 and PhotoGrav, Recently replaced the two 'used' SWF machines with brand new Barudans.
Thanks guys for the advice. We ran it hot and slow. It left a very light mark, just barley could see it but thats exactly what they wanted to my suprise. So I guess everything turned out well.
Gene H
Epilog Helix 45watt
Glad it worked out in the end.
That is why I hestiate when someone asks me "can you mark on ____?" or "can you cut ____?" Well, it depends on what exactly you want, what kind of quality is expected, the purpose of the part/mark, whether you will see the edge (or will it be hidden or buried in adhesive), is it decorative or functional, etc. etc. Usually time can be saved if this is discussed upfront.
Also, when someone tells me they have some kind of promotional product that is made out of ________, I usually say I need a sample that I can test. A lot of the products from Asia are of unknown and inconsistent metallurgy, coatings, paints, etc. so there is usually no way of knowing what you really have, regardless of what the distributor's catalog says. And even for North American products, there are so many alloys, and many processes to achieve the end result that again it is not 100% predictable how it will react in the laser.
coldsteel.JPG Just noticed my pic did not post
Bill Richardson
ULS V3.60 50w