Laser etching anodized aluminum is one of the most common applications of laser engraving machines around the world, with its popularity owing to the unique durability and aesthetics of the material and the bright, high-contrast markings produced by a high-quality laser engraving machine. Anodized aluminum can be produced in a spectrum of colors and shapes, and with laser-etched markings that range in color from white to grey to black, a versatile range of projects are possible.
This article explains everything you need to know about laser etching with anodized aluminum and a laser engraving machine. We’ll start by getting to know the material and the process, helping you develop an understanding of what anodized aluminum really is and why laser etching is the most common means of marking this unique material. Then, we’ll offer a step-by-step approach for laser etching with anodized aluminum, along with some great project ideas we’ve seen in the past that we hope will inspire you to start a project of your own!
Laser Etching and Anodized Aluminum – A Perfect Match
Aluminum is a very common material used in almost every area of human industry. The metal can be found in CDs, food packaging, cars, furniture, aircraft, and many more places in our everyday lives. In its purest form, Aluminum is silvery-white in color and highly malleable, meaning that it can be easily molded and shaped into a useful object. Malleability is a problem when it comes to creating something that’s designed to last for a long time though, and that’s where anodizing comes in.
The whole point of anodizing aluminum is to transform the surface layer of aluminum into aluminum oxide – a material that’s more resistant to corrosion and abrasion than the pure aluminum hidden underneath it. While the aluminum oxide is essentially transparent, some methods of anodizing create a porous aluminum oxide layer that can be colored with special dyes. Anodized aluminum is, therefore, more durable than regular aluminum, it won’t corrode or be scratched or damaged as easily, and it’s available in many different colors – lots of great benefits!
The anodizing process affects just the surface of the aluminum, to a depth that ranges between 0.1 and 1.0 millimeters. This makes the laser etching process, which affects a depth of just 0.25 mm, a great choice for marking anodized aluminum. By contrast, laser engraving would affect a depth of 3 mm, meaning that the laser would expose the less durable aluminum underneath the anodized layer, making the item more vulnerable to damage.
7 Steps for Laser Etching Anodized Aluminum
Now that we’ve covered the details of the material and procedures that we’re going to use, here are the steps that you’ll need to follow to create your own laser etched anodized aluminum project:
- Get a hold of some anodized aluminum. You can use sheet metal if you’re making something like a sign, but anodized aluminum objects like flashlights or screwdrivers are also okay.
- Our laser etching machines run using high-speed galvanometer technology. The laser engraver works like a computer numerically controlled (CNC) router – it takes designs from your preferred software and translates them into a vector map that tells the laser machine where to cut. Some laser machines run by moving the laser around in a grid, but our galvanometer laser system uses rapidly oscillating mirrors to make precision cuts with remarkable speed.
- Now it’s time to get the laser focused on your material. Using the laser machine software on your computer, you’ll be able to adjust the “Z” position of the scanhead, which corresponds to the height. The scanhead has a focusing lens that focuses the laser beam onto the object, and so the “Z” position must be at the right height to focus the beam on the part. The “Z” position to enter into the software is almost always the same as the height or thickness of the part.
- Next, you’ll need to get your design ready. The most popular design software options are CorelDRAW and Adobe Illustrator, so choose the one you’re most comfortable with. You can import an existing design from another program, or draw your own. The important commonality between permissible software options is that they produce vector images, a file type that is easily translated into usable data by the laser etching system.
- Once you’re happy with your design, save it as a vector file and load it into the laser engraving software. You can adjust the power, speed, frequency, and number of passes in the “Material File” in order to obtain different results. You can also load a previous material file that you know gives the results you’re looking for. If you’re not sure which settings will generate the results you want, it is recommended that you test your materials under different settings to determine which one produces the results you want.
- Close the door of your laser engraving machine and click on “Mark” to start the etching process. You’ll see the high-powered laser activate and the rapidly oscillating mirrors dance in a unique pattern that etches your specific design onto the anodized material you’ve chosen. Whether you’re creating a big project or a small one, galvanometer lasers produce incredibly fast results, etching your anodized aluminum at speeds of up to 2 meters per second.
- Once the process is finished, look inside the laser machine and take out your newly laser-etched anodized aluminum project – you’re all done!
Ideas for Laser Etching Projects with Anodized Aluminum
Anodized aluminum is a durable and versatile material, and we’ve seen plenty of cool projects created with it. Here are just a few of our favorites:
- Promotional Items – High-quality keepsakes can be engraved with the name of your business, organization, or special event to create a lasting impression. If your company is hosting a booth at a conference, consider handing out aluminum flashlights or pens with your company logo laser-etched onto them. High-end promotional items are impressive to your prospective clients – they reflect your firm’s attention to detail and the way you value quality.
- Gifts – Personalized gifts show that you’ve gone the extra mile to create something unique for your special someone. Laser-etched aluminum phone cases, dog tags or other jewelry, and even a nameplate for an office desk are all easily created using a laser engraving machine and anodized aluminum.
- Industrial – Laser etching is used to produce permanent markings on a variety of items used in manufacturing. For example, a car part made of anodized aluminum might have its serial number of part number etched by a laser. This creates a permanent marking that will always be easy to find and read.
Conclusion
Anodized aluminum is a versatile material used everywhere in the world. Whether you’re marking parts for manufacturing, promoting a business, or using your own design to make a gift for someone, laser etching anodized aluminum is a cheap and simple process that produces impressive results.
