Joe Thorn 911
12-16-2009, 11:18 AM
While engraving text and graphics on anodized aluminum dog tags, I get some portions that have black streaks or areas where the lazer engraved. It's not in all of the engraved areas, just parts.
I have a 50 watt chinese laser that cuts and engraves fine on all other materials. Last week I made several tags with no problems. This week I have that problem, with no changes to the machines settings. I think the tags I'm using this week may be from a different batch. I have checked the alignment on the mirrors and cleaned them. I have tried rubbing the blackness off of the tags, but it doesn't come off. If the total engraved area was black, I could understand maybe a wrong power setting, but some parts are fine and others have the streaks or areas of black, almost like the black is on/in the aluminum, under the anodizing.
I have tried settings anywhere from speed 200/power 30 to speed 50/power 50. I can't get my pics to upload here, but if you write me at firejoe911 @ hotmail.com I'll send you some pics of the tags.
Anyone have any guesses?
Thanks, Firejoe
I have a 50 watt chinese laser that cuts and engraves fine on all other materials. Last week I made several tags with no problems. This week I have that problem, with no changes to the machines settings. I think the tags I'm using this week may be from a different batch. I have checked the alignment on the mirrors and cleaned them. I have tried rubbing the blackness off of the tags, but it doesn't come off. If the total engraved area was black, I could understand maybe a wrong power setting, but some parts are fine and others have the streaks or areas of black, almost like the black is on/in the aluminum, under the anodizing.
I have tried settings anywhere from speed 200/power 30 to speed 50/power 50. I can't get my pics to upload here, but if you write me at firejoe911 @ hotmail.com I'll send you some pics of the tags.
Anyone have any guesses?
Thanks, Firejoe