Anyone engrave on a brick?

[Jerry Hay]

I have an auto repair garage as well as my laser engraving business. I was inspecting a truck for a customer (who is a contractor) and he had a few bricks in the bed. I asked if I could have a few and tried one on the engraver.
here is what I came up with. I have a Laserpro Spirit 30W I used 4% speed 100% power at 1000 PPI. He said next time he puts up a building he will bring me a brick to put the year on it.

[Brian Robison]

Try the Thermark for ceramics, nice black mark and a lot faster speed.

[Peck Sidara]

Try the Thermark for ceramics, nice black mark and a lot faster speed.

TherMark on bricks? Never thought of that. I assume the fast speed is to adhere the spray to the brick w/o penatrating the surface?

How bout it's permancy?

Is it easy to wash off the excess with the brick being so porous?

Got a pic?

Thanks Brian.

[Jerry Hay]

I figured just burn the crap out of it. I think it will last for a long time like that because it looks shiny like it turned to glass or something. I am going to set it outside and let it sun bake and weather to see how it holds up. I'll let you all know how it does, although it may take years.

[Peck Sidara]

I figured just burn the crap out of it. I think it will last for a long time like that because it looks shiny like it turned to glass or something. I am going to set it outside and let it sun bake and weather to see how it holds up. I'll let you all know how it does, although it may take years.

I'll eagerly wait for your report Jerry. I'm 30 years of age so I figure time is not so pressing right now.

If you have a picture, please send to pecks at epiloglaser dot com.

Thanks Jerry.

[Gary and Jessica Houghton]

Okay, I know this will probably not help, but I engraved a plate that we adhered to the front of a brick. Our customer gave this brick to someone he knew that was getting married. The inscription read:

"This is a starter brick for your home. May this marriage be long, fruitful and blessed."

He got many comments about where he got that from and he was most pleased. Just another idea I thought I'd share.

[Brian Robison]

I did one a months ago with the Thermark, I have it in our high tech testing facility right now. OK, it's outside under an eaves drip edge to get rained on and sun. It just says TEST on it. I could do another one and take a picture.

[Peck Sidara]

Thanks Brian. I'll probably just do some testing here (when time permits) and draw some of my own conclusions.

[Belinda Barfield]

Jerry,

I've burned a few bricks, but they have not turned out quite as well as I hoped. This is the look I was going for, this company does really nice work. No, I'm not associated with them in any shape, form, or fashion.

http://www.laserbrickandtile.com/content.php?page=projects

[Peck Sidara]

Belinda,

We've had a few inquires about the type of lasered bricks shown in the link. It is my guess that they're using a very high powered C02 (2-4 hundred watt range) to do/get this type of imaging. To me it makes sense that they're using enough power to essentially melt the brick to obtain a nice black glossy finish.

The bricks I've seen has depth and a nice glossy finish so I don't believe they're using the ceramic marking spray.

A confirmation would be great if anyone knows for sure.

[Belinda Barfield]

Belinda,

We've had a few inquires about the type of lasered bricks shown in the link. It is my guess that they're using a very high powered C02 (2-4 hundred watt range) to do/get this type of imaging. To me it makes sense that they're using enough power to essentially melt the brick to obtain a nice black glossy finish.

The bricks I've seen has depth and a nice glossy finish so I don't believe they're using the ceramic marking spray.

A confirmation would be great if anyone knows for sure.

I spoke with the owner of Laser Brick and Tile on several occasions when I was working on a fund raising project four years ago. I do not know what type of laser he is using. He is "authorized" to use the method of brick engraving "patented" by Laser Light Technologies. He does not use any type of marking spray. I have one of his bricks and the lettering is very black and glossy.

I have spoken with another laser owner who gets a pretty good result with a CO2 laser, 100 watt I believe. He told me that the key is to vector the letters, not raster them. He uses only Whitacre-Greer bricks. If I recall correctly he advised that if I was buying from a local supplier I should ask for a brick wtih a high sand content. I could be wrong on that. Hopefully someone else can provide more information.

[Tom Bull]

I was told that there is a patent on lasered bricks. The guy who told me was selling YAG lasers and seemed to know what he was talking about, but who knows. He said the patent was held by someone in St. Louis (?)who did not come up with the idea, but did the patent before the inventor and now the inventor pays for a license to do his own thing. Could all just be urban legend.

[Donna Kobyluk]

There are two companies (MO & FL) that spent $$$$$$ in the courts saying each were infringing on the others patent. After their very lengthy battle, other brick engraving competitors have continued engraving. Majority of these companies use YAG lasers. A 100W CO2 will engrave using vector lettering, but it takes alot of bricks to make good Money. Remember the standard three line brick is $17.50 each for minimum of 100, subtract the brick cost (Whitacre greer most common & shipping to get), power costs, pallet & shipping cost to final destination. I'm glad to escape the brick engraving business, starting a design tile business...WOW what a laser can do, without Thermamark or cermark!http://www.sawmillcreek.org/images/icons/icon12.gif

[Steven Smith]

There are two companies (MO & FL) that spent $$$$$$ in the courts saying each were infringing on the others patent. After their very lengthy battle, other brick engraving competitors have continued engraving.


You can go to the USPO and find someone has patented the 'comb-over' for hiding bald spots. Has anyone patented the method of striking a nail with a hammer for the purpose of fastening one piece of wood to another?

[Jerry Hay]

The hammer and nail would have their own patents and the method of swinging the hammer should be trademarked. We may even have to get written permission from God to use the wood. Not to mention having to buy a permit before we can do anything.

[Bill Cunningham]

I caught the tale end of a radio discussion the other day.. Apparently someone has registered the rectangle as their trademark...

I wonder if the circle has been spoken for yet :D

[Brian Robison]

You can bet the blue oval is! Just don't know if it belongs to Ford or Carrier Heat Pumps.

[Jeffrey Levine]

As a welder I sometimes use brick as a welding surface upon which to lay the metal pieces I’m about to weld together. Welders are taught never to use regular old red brick for this surface, but instead use fire brick. Regular brick can apparently “spall” or explode with very rapid temperature change. Based on the pictures it’s obviously possible to laser brick without explosion, but there may be certain safety precautions to consider before throwing any old brick into your laser. Don’t know, maybe it’s perfectly safe because the heat is focused in such a small area, or certain types of brick are safer than others, etc. But just thought I would throw that caution out there.

[David Darnell]

You can go to the USPO and find someone has patented the 'comb-over' for hiding bald spots. Has anyone patented the method of striking a nail with a hammer for the purpose of fastening one piece of wood to another?

Well, the application has been filed, so it falls under "Patent Pending". Also, am working on the description and technical drawings for a "Circular device,attached to a axle at the center, for reducing force needed to move a load". Think that will be the one that makes me some $$$$$$$
:D

[Rob Bosworth]

Most of the bricks you see that have the glossy black glass look are done with Nd:YAG laser markers. What they are doing is called re vitrification. What they are doing is running a high powered initial pass with a Nd:YAG marker, to give the mark depth. Then a second pass is done at lower power to actually melt the silicate and let it flow throughout the mark.

I am not sure if this is the exact method used by the companies that claim they own the patent. I believe one of them claim they developed the re vitrification process through extensive research and development done with all the kings horses and all of the kings men, for the donor bricks for the Atlanta Olympics. I developed the process on my own, a schlemiel in the north woods, screwing around with a brick on a buddy's Nd:YAG marker. After getting really nice results, I was almost immediately contacted by a couple of law firms who insisted that I cease and desist any further work on this process. The only reason I even threw the brick under the Nd:YAG marker was that I had tried high powered and low powered CO2 lasers on bricks and stones for years with minimal results. So I called my buddy and he said come on over. In 15 minutes, we had a really nice re vitrified brick black mark.

One other thing that we saw in our testing is, you need a brick or a paver that has a very consistent composition to it. We found that the higher the quality of the brick, meant that the area being engraved was more consistent. We had lower quality results if the brick we were engraving had voids, straw, or other junk mixed in with the brick. So from what we found out, the higher the quality of the brick, the less junk or "fill" that was added.

Now, because I do not want to talk to any more lawyers, and I am sure there has to be some decent ones out there, I do not know if the above is similar to how the "patent pending" process or the "patent applied for" process is done. The above lasering of a "brick" was just a simple attempt to figure out a better result on a material that had stumped me for years. I do not use the above process. I do not create any product using the above process. Matter of fact, I have not put another brick into a laser machine since that early test. (How's that for a CYA disclaimer.)

[Jerry Hay]

I was checking around on the net and some brick site mentioned Vitricolor.
here is some information on it. http://www.aecinfo.com/1/company/05/35/41/company_1.html
Apparently they make vitricolor I am going to order a catalog and see what it is about. I can't see how someone can own a patent on laser engraving on a brick. I have a big brick company near me and I want to pitch this idea to them. I am going to cover all bases and research it more, But I am still going to talk to them about it. I'll see what happens and let you all know.

[Donna Kobyluk]

Me again...aka Brick Chick past engraver...Vitricolor is a method they use to change the "glass" color as the laser engraves. This is also "patented"...oops titatium oxide and heat!- Gives you an outstanding black glass mark on white to tan bricks. Other oxides will change you brick glass color. Enjoy your adventure.

[George Brown]

I was told that there is a patent on lasered bricks. The guy who told me was selling YAG lasers and seemed to know what he was talking about, but who knows. He said the patent was held by someone in St. Louis (?)who did not come up with the idea, but did the patent before the inventor and now the inventor pays for a license to do his own thing. Could all just be urban legend.
Maybe I should patent typing letters on a page with a typewriter, and make LOTS of money. This is ridiculous!

[Brian Conklin]

Had good luck with this one, maybe not a real brick?:)

[Angus Hines]

I did this one. as a pen holder for Keith after this question came up about a year ago.

[Martin Boekers]

Guys and Gals, I am proud to tell you this I too have just entered the patent fray with applying for patents for using a laser to engrave on wood, metal acrylics, glass, oh and yes, air and water (covering the future:p).

After they go through I'll post where you can send my royalty checks$$$

Seriously I doubt they can get a patent for using a standard laser to engrave standard bricks. If so someone would have patents for engraving other materials as above mentioned and we wouldn't be in business.

The patent site is interesting though, as they have another one for using the laser to engrave cigars. (I actually tried this had limited success). Had to smoke a lot of mistakes!;)

Marty

[Gary Hair]

Seriously I doubt they can get a patent for using a standard laser to engrave standard bricks.

"they" did get a patent, so that's not in question. Whether or not it could be enforced is the real question.

Gary

[Martin Boekers]

It's been awhile since I read their patent I believe it was titled "Vitrolese" or something like that. I don't believe it was a standard laser with standard clay bricks though. I believe there were some propriatary modifications. I'll have to go back and check again.


Marty

[Martin Boekers]

here is part of the patent,

http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=7238396.PN.&OS=PN/7238396&RS=PN/7238396

it seems that there is a material that when used in conjunction with the brick that when exposed to the laser heat creates melts and fuses to the brick. (similar in what Cermark does to it's specified materials)

Check out their website it seems the are able to do colors also, (maybe a special glass frit that has a lower melting point for the laser?).

http://www.brickmarkers.com/about.htm#patents


Marty

[Steve Clarkson]

They have a patent on a specific process of engraving bricks.....but no one here uses that process, so we have nothing to worry about.

[Arjan Smitshoek]

Wow Angus,
it has been a while ago that you made this brick, but do you recall the settings. and what machine did you use?

[Jerry Hay]

I burned this one in 2007 and it still looks great! I didn't add anything to it at all just lasered it at hi power at lo speed.

[Bruce Dorworth]

I think it must be the beer, try as I may, I could not see the brick. :<)

Bruce

[Karen Kocik]

Hi Gary, I've been browsing for information on how to adhere an engraved metal plate (small) onto an old brick. Can you tell me what you used to do it? I've heard gorilla glue is good. The brick will be hung from a stand.

Thanks, Karen


Okay, I know this will probably not help, but I engraved a plate that we adhered to the front of a brick. Our customer gave this brick to someone he knew that was getting married. The inscription read:

"This is a starter brick for your home. May this marriage be long, fruitful and blessed."

He got many comments about where he got that from and he was most pleased. Just another idea I thought I'd share.

[Mark Ross]

Better be careful with your kids, someone actually did patent a method for swinging on a swing. However, they did it to have an example of just how truly broken our patent system is. Welp, I am off to trademark the word patent and sue the pants off a lot of people...

[Dave Sheldrake]

From memory the only thing the patent office won't accept is perpetual motion machines, past that...well anything is possible :)

cheers

Dave

[Dan Hintz]

Better be careful with your kids, someone actually did patent a method for swinging on a swing. However, they did it to have an example of just how truly broken our patent system is. Welp, I am off to trademark the word patent and sue the pants off a lot of people...

Here's a patent for a stick:
http://www.google.com/patents/US6360693

Lucky for us all, it fell into the public domain back in 2010 due to failure to pay the maintenance fees.

[Chuck Stone]

I think I read that in the court transcript of
Ross Eugene Long III vs Mother Nature

[Guy Hilliard]

Here's one I did a while ago on my 40w ULS X660. No coating / fill / paint... just straight burn the brick.
The Brick is an all clay "Brampton Brick".
271365

[Vicki Rivrud]

Hi Guy,
Nice job.
I engrave bricks as well. The key is the composition of the brick. All clay bricks when lasered turn the silica into glass and engrave the nice crystal black. Vitrification! I also do concrete bricks and pavers and vector cut not raster/engrave. I mask them and then spray with Lithichrome black less expensive then Cermark. I don't think the Cermark is dark enough on the concrete and some of my earlier bricks have the efflorescence working through the Cermark as it comes to the surface, a natural occurrence with concrete made products. I could sand-blast them further if I needed to but have as yet - my 150 watt Chinese laser does a nice job.

Happy lasering,
Vicki

[Jesse Anderson]

I noticed that polished hard surfaces like Rock, slate, and marble will always come out great. ""Unless its a white/wrong color"

I have experimented with bricks and have gotten the same results you have had. So i had the idea of adding a coat of clear coat. It makes the brick appear sort of wet and slimy. But when you engrave in it you can get that extra bit of contrast. It it was on a wall that was untouched it would work fine. If the brick are meant to be walked over then this suggestion would probably not work that well. Unless u experiment with some kind of epoxy resin...

I have gotten good results and bad results. So i cannot give good advice i can just give you my experience.

So take my two cents and make your own 4 cent conclusion. Clear coat on rock, brick and slate produces a better results some times.

Then again i did not do much research or practice with this theory.

[Mark Ross]

I just received my trademark on brick, so everyone needs to start sliding me some "cheddar". LOL. I have an idea for a product that I am going to look into. Funny how companies can patent things like rounded corners on smart phones. I guess it is how much money you have to scare someone. I know one guy that has had about a dozen businesses all doing the exact same thing. He violates a so called "patent" gets sued, goes out of business and sets up across the street or across town. Patents have their place, don't get me wrong, but sometimes, come on, common sense should prevail, but then again, we are talking about people that are about ready to hit up Montel Williams for a payday loan to get big gubbmint running. Sorry, I know, off topic.

[Jesse Anderson]

I hate the word patent. Just another example of loop holes. If will use my laser to do any and all jobs. No questions asked. I have my own legal loop holes that will exempt me from getting into any sort of trouble. I can imagine that some one else would get into trouble b4 me... Did you know there is a patent on running wires through clothing for music and media purposes. Lets say you are jogging and have your MP3 player microphone wise running under your sweater to your ear. Its patented...... The guy that "Supposedly" did this on shark tank. If my memory serves me correct the guy that was on the show own several patents to stupid ordinary things. Makes his money by collecting royalties off of companies that did not think of it first. I could be wrong about what I saw on shark tank. But I am pretty certain i remember the guy having a patent for the idea of running wires and inserting blue tooth into clothing... I think I remember a few of the sharks calling him a slime ball/ dirt ball. Because he was the kind of person that would waist their time in court with stuff. And having to waist money on a trivial smoke and mirrors patents..... I could be wrong. This episode aired a long time ago.

[Kev Williams]

Harley Davidson tried to patent their "sound". Don't know if they got the patent, but I'll bet scientific testing would prove every Harley tested would make a different sound than the next one.

I remember I was a bit miffed when Woody Harrelson patented the round towel. I heard not long ago he lost a lot of $$ on that deal.

As for engraving stuff like bricks-- I tried engraving a piece of black onyx in my 25w Universal. The onxy put out a fireworks display like I've never seen. My lens is still beat up from the flying pieces of that stone. The closest thing to brick I've ever tried since has been black granite and white marble...

[Mark Ross]

Harley was refused a patent on the sound. They have it copyrighted. Nobody else can make that Harley sound. Potato potato potato potato vroom vroom....

[John Stevenson]

"Harley - a device that turns money into noise."

author: unknown BMW owner

[Jesse Anderson]

**Gold Wing***

A device that turns motorcyclist into girls on over sized snow mobiles.

Author: Unknown Harley enthusiast

[Cliff Land]

paver from big box store image from snap2objects com.
273948

[Scott Shepherd]

Here's a couple that we sandblasted, just to show the difference.

273950273951

[Mary Geitz]

I just saw this morning that Laser Sketch is selling laser bricks in two sizes, 4 x 8 x 2 1/4 for $2.29 and 4 x 8 2 1/4 for 28.95, shipping included. I personally do not engrave bricks so I don't know if this is a good deal. However I see this subject so much I thought I would share. They look nice on the website.

[Bill Cunningham]

I just saw this morning that Laser Sketch is selling laser bricks in two sizes, 4 x 8 x 2 1/4 for $2.29 and 4 x 8 2 1/4 for 28.95, shipping included. I personally do not engrave bricks so I don't know if this is a good deal. However I see this subject so much I thought I would share. They look nice on the website.

I just bought a dozen 6x8x2, I think they were about $25-$28 each and worked out to about $36.00 including shipping and brokerage to Canada..I think they were about $14.00 more than when I bought them from Richwood before he shut down. But I make a decent profit on them anyway..

[Zhiyue Sun]

Try to engrave on the tile, that's is not bad choice. First spraying laser ink and waiting about 10 minutes, then engraving the picture what you want, after finishing engraving. Please use cloth to erase the laser ink. very simple.274149

[Greg Bednar]

Here's a couple that we sandblasted, just to show the difference.

273950273951

What type sandblasting equipment - just curious.

[Scott Shepherd]

Hi Greg, it's a CrystalBlast Pro from Ikonics. We certainly could have done it cheaper, but in the end, I think their filtration system and support made it worth the money for us. I'm at a point in my life/career where I want to be able to pick up the phone and call someone when something isn't working right or if I have something I need help on. I've lived through enough of the "figure it out yourself" moments to know that my time is money.

It's a VERY nice cabinet. I like it a lot, especially the padded forearm rests.

[Mike Null]

I do some sandblasting with a cheap HF set up. It does the job considering I'm a low volume shop and I'm quick to turn away work if it sounds like it's too involved. I used to have a Rayzist unit and what Steve says about the filtration system is really important
their filtration system and support made it worth the money . Sandblasting is really dirty work if you don't have a good system for filtering and reusing media.