The laser engraving machine has three main parts – a laser source, a surface, and a controller. The pencil-like laser is under control of the controller and they combine to trace patterns on the surface. Control is maintained over the speed of movement, intensity, direction, and spread of the laser beam on the surface. The nature of the surface is matched to the nature of the job in hand.
Types of engraving machines:
We can classify the 3D engraving machine into three types, with the most common being X-Y table. In this case, the workpiece is stationary, the laser optics move around the object in two directions making the laser beam draw vectors. There are instances when the laser beam is stationary, and the workpiece alone moves. The direction of movement is fixed by the type of work being done and the workpiece might move in the Y-axis and the laser might move in the X-direction.
In the case of a cylindrical workpiece (or it could be a flat workpiece that is fixed to a cylinder), the laser is made to transverse a helix. Sometimes, an on-off pulsing laser is used to create images. For some instances, both the workpiece and laser remain fixed. Galvo mirrors are used to move the laser to act on the workpiece suitably. This way, you can use the lasers in raster or vector application.
Work done by the wood engraving machine:
Woodworkers are making use of laser engraving machines more because it is efficient and versatile, and it will fit most projects. Wood engraving and woodcutting are the most popular applications. You can make photo frames to knife handles and it works well for veneers, plywood, inlays, walnut, cherry, alder, or hardwoods.
Here are some of the things you can create with the 3D engraving machine:
- Wonderful inlays for guitars, cabinets, and shelves.
- Photo engravings with oak and mahogany.
- Used in prototyping, you can make prototypes from the design very fast.
- Work with large samples or minute workpieces with equal ease.
- Personalize awards, trophies, skateboards, guitars, or anything else.
Choose the best wood for laser engraving:
Using a little imagination, you can create great pieces of the woodwork with your laser. Wood will burn light or dark depending on how much sap (resin) content it has. If you want a dark burn, choose cherry or alder wood that has a higher sap content. To get a milder burn, choose another wood with lesser sap. Try to etch a letter or two on the wood and see what the burn is.
- Alder: This wood passes all tests. It has supple texture and minimum streaking.
- Maple: It is a good wood for photoengraving. It has light streaking and burns dark. It is light in color.
- Cherry: Has a high resin content, light in color. The level of streaking is high, but many people choose this for their woodworking projects.
The base color of the wood follows the natural color of the wood. When choosing the wood, one must avoid darker woods as they do not produce distinct markings on engraving. Lighter colored woods will give good markings.
