airpod cases, laserable?

[Kev Williams]

Getting several phone calls asking if I can engrave these things (plastic)

apcase.jpg

C02, fiber, both, neither? I've had good luck with the fiber on solid color hard plastics, MOST of the time. But no one seems to be willing to eat the risk to let me find out about engraving these

[Rob Damon]

Apple is advertising custom engraving for free, so it must be doable.

ipods.JPG

Is that what you are talking about?

[Kev Williams]

Yup, thanks

But- Apple may be using a blue or green laser on these, which means I still don't know if my machines will work or not

Ironically, the gray color on those in the ad, exactly the same color white PVC turns when hit with a fiber... hmmm

[Matt Schrum]

.... exactly the same color white PVC turns when hit with a fiber... hmmm

Nothing quite like lasering a bit of PVC to wake up in the morning

[Rob Damon]

If I was going to experiment with one, I would trying and engrave the inside bottom or inside of lid with something like two circles with low power/high speed to see the outcome.

If you bought an I-phone it should have come with some ear buds in a case that maybe the same material. You could experiment on that. Mine came in a case that appears to be the same material.

earbuds.JPG

[Kev Williams]

Lasering PVC can be nasty for sure

Last iphone I got the wife was an 8 and was only the phone...

[art olin]

Lasering PVC can be nasty for sure

Last iphone I got the wife was an 8 and was only the phone...

They are using picosecond laser Rofin Coherent PowerLine Pico 10-532. It is green laser for 80G, and they are upgrading all production lines to femtosecond lasers.
Kind Regards.

[Matt Schrum]

Kev,
In one of my facebook groups a guy from Italy posted the below pic and settings, so looks like it's possible. I don't know if it's the genuine case or not (looks to be though)

30w raycus
Setting speed 1000 pwr 30 kHz 40
200x200
Screenshot 2020-12-22 085624.jpg

[Kev Williams]

Almost the same color engraving as black delrin. Maybe they're white delrin-? Interesting-- maybe I can get someone to let me do a 2020 real small in the bottom to test..

Thanks!

[Hayley Tague]

Just did a quick test since I have AirPods and a laser, so why not?
Done with a 30W Triumph fiber-
Top is initials done at 1000 speed / 15 power / 40 kHz with a 110mm lens (2 passes)
Bottom is a Sycamore leaf done at 1000 speed / 20 power / 40 kHz (1 pass)

The initials show black speckling at 10x magnification but is not readily visible with the naked eye. Nice silver finish.
The leaf shows obvious speckling and is noticeably darker than the initials.
Both were cleaned with denatured alcohol to make sure it wasn't just residue.

Honestly I haven't lasered much plastic, if any yet, so I'm sure someone who is more experienced than me can tell me what I could improve.

Just thought I'd share!
airpod.jpg case w leaf.jpg

[Kev Williams]

The 'speckling' is indicative of polycarbonate. The stuff actually boils and makes crackling noises while engraving, and it does go dark...

I never did hear back from the guy but good to know, thanks!

[Nick Hale]

Ive been etching airpods and knock offs for over a year. Been a good paying gig. I can check settings tomorrow if i remember.
FB_IMG_1610354171939.jpg