Laser Engraving on Glasses

[Fox Flyers Rocketry]

I recently started playing with laser engraving on drinking glasses and bottles. I have been engraving logos and even photos. I'm thinking about adding a spot on our Rocketry site to purchase them if there is enough interest.

 

[DigBaddy]

These are really cool. I make maple syrup and the thought of laser engraving my logo on the bottles has been tempting, but I think that would take way more time than sticking labels on (cost in the long run of labels may be more though).

 

[Hobie1dog]

What would one at a time custom designs be? what is the price point, compared to generic designs?

 

[Sandy H.]

The quality you're getting is really good! I did a little bit of glass engraving and overall didn't find it to be worth it in my situation, but it looks like you have your process dialed in very well.

Good job!

 

[Fox Flyers Rocketry]

What would one at a time custom designs be? what is the price point, compared to generic designs?

I was thinking around $25 a glass. It would be an upload your photo or design and I would engrave it. I wasn't planning on selling my own designs at the moment.

 

[Fox Flyers Rocketry]

The quality you're getting is really good! I did a little bit of glass engraving and overall didn't find it to be worth it in my situation, but it looks like you have your process dialed in very well.

Good job!

Thanks!

 

[Fox Flyers Rocketry]

These are really cool. I make maple syrup and the thought of laser engraving my logo on the bottles has been tempting, but I think that would take way more time than sticking labels on (cost in the long run of labels may be more though).

Yeah you're right about that. Engraving times run an hour or better for me at the moment.

 

[VAXman]

Curiosity. What laser are you using?

 

[Fox Flyers Rocketry]

Curiosity. What laser are you using?

I am using a Sculpfun diode laser. I built an enclosure and ventilation system for it.

 

[VAXman]

I am using a Sculpfun diode laser. I built an enclosure and ventilation system for it.

You have a rotary axis for that to do glasses and bottles? I've done a few glasses (Christmas present this year) and I etched a bottle of Jefferson's Reserve bourbon as a gift for a couple in my rocket club. I've been using the RA to cut airframe tubing to length and to cut fin slots. I'm building a new club launch controller, so in coming weeks, I will be using the laser to produce PCBs too.

 

[John Kemker]

I want a set of the Rocket Fuel old fashioned glasses!

 

[Fox Flyers Rocketry]

You have a rotary axis for that to do glasses and bottles? I've done a few glasses (Christmas present this year) and I etched a bottle of Jefferson's Reserve bourbon as a gift for a couple in my rocket club. I've been using the RA to cut airframe tubing to length and to cut fin slots. I'm building a new club launch controller, so in coming weeks, I will be using the laser to produce PCBs too.

Yes I bought a rotary primarily for cutting airframe but have been using it for engraving as well.

 

[Fox Flyers Rocketry]

I want a set of the Rocket Fuel old fashioned glasses!

I'm looking into what it will take to upgrade our website for this. If I make you a set of rocket fuel glasses would you like a photo of your own rocket on it? The one I posted is my MadCow Patriot on my Level 2 Certification flight.

 

[augendoc]

I’ve been thinking about a rotary accessory as well. Which rotary accessory are you using with your SculptFun laser? Regarding cuts for tube slots, any issues with precision due to the light weight of the material?

 

[Fox Flyers Rocketry]

I’ve been thinking about a rotary accessory as well. Which rotary accessory are you using with your SculptFun laser? Regarding cuts for tube slots, any issues with precision due to the light weight of the material?

I'm using a Dewallie rotary roller. It can handle long work pieces that hang off both ends and a 50 kg load. I haven't had any problems with precision with airframe cutting. Feed and speed is the key. Too fast and the work piece slips on the roller.

 

[augendoc]

The Dewallie rotary accessory seems to be one of the few (if not the only one) that can handle objects that extend beyond the ends of the rollers.

Does the laser only cut the closest side of the tube? I assume the beam is defocussed enough after exiting the closest side of the tube that it won’t keep cutting through the opposite side. Otherwise you’d need a steel mandrel or something similar.

Also, alignment of the rotary accessory needs to be exactly parallel with the X axis of the laser. How do you do that?

Thanks!

 

[Fox Flyers Rocketry]

The Dewallie rotary accessory seems to be one of the few (if not the only one) that can handle objects that extend beyond the ends of the rollers.

Does the laser only cut the closest side of the tube? I assume the beam is defocussed enough after exiting the closest side of the tube that it won’t keep cutting through the opposite side. Otherwise you’d need a steel mandrel or something similar.

Also, alignment of the rotary accessory needs to be exactly parallel with the X axis of the laser. How do you do that?

Thanks!

If your power and speed settings are correct the laser won't burn through the back side. If the feed is too slow it will burn the back side. I use a square to get the roller parallel with the x axes. I run it down from the x axes and across the roller. To test accuracy you can always run a line straight down your work piece, draw a straight line on your laser program along x, and run it at 1% power. Watch the laser track and see if it deviates from the line.

 

[pugachu]

What wavelength is your diode laser? I thought most glass would be transparent to common diode wavelengths. I thought you meeded a CO2 laser at over 10um wavelenght to cut or engrave glass.

I may or may not work at a place that makes high powered diode lasers....

 

[Fox Flyers Rocketry]

What wavelength is your diode laser? I thought most glass would be transparent to common diode wavelengths. I thought you meeded a CO2 laser at over 10um wavelenght to cut or engrave glass.

I may or may not work at a place that makes high powered diode lasers....

It is 445nm, and you are correct that it is transparent to the diode wavelengths. The glass has to be coated prior to engraving for it to work. The coating is then removed after the engraving is completed.