150x150x2mm Snapmaker Blue PETG
Settings; 6000mm/min, 100% power, 0.08 Interval, stucki.
Nice.
Someone asked a while back if you could use the IR laser to engrave on 3D printed things. I guess the answer to that is yes, yes you can.
It mostly depends on the colour, black works the absolute best, 6000mm/min and 50% power and it’s a stark white. A bit more power and the blue seems to work decent. I’ve had no luck on red or purple, however.
That sounds like it is treating the pigments like the other lasers do with paint on glass.
Tio2 is white but lasers into black, Black paint becomes white… I have not experimented with other colours yet, although I have some various colours of “Laser paper” and foils to try.
I will get myself an IR laser soon too.
It’s a bit different when it comes to TiO2. The heat of the laser actually breaks the bonds in the TiO2 and bonds the titanium directly to the surface. Turns black because it’s now just titanium.
Otherwise, yeah, it’s just attacking the pigment in the plastic.
These engraving results are impressive! I just posted them on the subreddit with this original forum link to get more users learn about this application.
Looks great. I love Half Life and Portal. Let’s hope Valve can learn to count to 3 sometime this decade.
Does this IR engraving only work well on PETG prints? Does it work at all on other polymers?
It’s worked on PLA and PETG for me so far. I wouldn’t suggest trying ABS or ASA.