Some laser playing around

[KevTN]

So I have been playing around with the Ultra on some while tile and some clear glass tile. With the white tile I layered some different color paint and inverted the vectors.  One the clear glass I was going for etching the glass but instead it etched the backing. So I thought why not paint the back to color the letters….The red one was the first one and I goobered the one tree.

 

[Gene Howe]

Kevin, those etchings are amazing. What contoller software are you using? I'd love to read more about your process. 

[Cal]

Really nice Kevin - I could see those rectangular tiles being pretty popular over the next few months.

What type of bit did you use when you made these?

[KevTN]

2 hours ago, Cal said:

Really nice Kevin - I could see those rectangular tiles being pretty popular over the next few months.

What type of bit did you use when you made these?

Actually did it with my laser. And thanks it was an accident lol but hey I’ll take it.

 

4 hours ago, Gene Howe said:

Kevin, those etchings are amazing. What contoller software are you using? I'd love to read more about your process. 

‘Hey Gene…I did it with my Xtool F1 Ultra. I did one with my blue light (diode) power at 60 speed of 200 dpi of 300 5 passes. I did one pass but need some clean up. The other I did with my IR setting at 100% power speed of 1000 300 dpi 2 passes.  Normally with glass you need to put a coating on the glass but these tiles have a white coating on the back that can be seen through the glass and that is what the laser edges away. Paint the back and there ya go.  I used Xtools XCS free software. I did not renew my Lightburn as the camera doesn’t play well with Lightburn. 

Edited August 12, 2024 by KevTN

[Gene Howe]

Thanks for the information,  Kevin.

[Cal]

23 hours ago, KevTN said:

Actually did it with my laser. And thanks it was an accident lol but hey I’ll take it.

 

Of course you did... don't know why I was thinking CNC?

What sort of texture does it leave behind on the glass?

[Grandpadave52]

Those are very cool Kevin. Nicely done. Very creative.

[KevTN]

5 hours ago, Cal said:

 

Of course you did... don't know why I was thinking CNC?

What sort of texture does it leave behind on the glass?

LOL Because this is the CNC forum. One the back was a white 'powder' backing. It etches that away allowing it to be painted with the color you want. When I get home sometime this weekend I'll try to do some more pictures if you are interested.

[KevTN]

2 hours ago, Grandpadave52 said:

Those are very cool Kevin. Nicely done. Very creative.

Thank you Dave I appreciate it. 

[Al B]

Lazers are amazing. I really know very little about what you can do with them, but I remember using a laser cutter for cutting aluminum back in my welding days. You did a great job @KevTN

[KevTN]

4 hours ago, Al B said:

Lazers are amazing. I really know very little about what you can do with them, but I remember using a laser cutter for cutting aluminum back in my welding days. You did a great job @KevTN

Thank you sir! I appreciate the kind words. 

[Cal]

17 hours ago, KevTN said:

When I get home sometime this weekend I'll try to do some more pictures if you are interested.

 

I would be very interested, thanks.

[lew]

Amazing work, Kevin! Burning through the glass is a cool idea.

[smitty10101]

On 8/12/2024 at 9:14 AM, KevTN said:

I did not renew my Lightburn

Kevin    I thought Lightburn was a one & done, not a renewable software.   

Once you purchased it, it was yours for life.

Or were you talking about the trial version?

Curious

Edited August 14, 2024 by smitty10101

[KevTN]

18 hours ago, lew said:

Amazing work, Kevin! Burning through the glass is a cool idea.

Thank you Lew but in all honesty it was one of happy mistakes.

[KevTN]

13 hours ago, smitty10101 said:

Kevin    I thought Lightburn was a one & done, not a renewable software.   

Once you purchased it, it was yours for life.

Or were you talking about the trial version?

Curious

You are correct but to get upgrades you have to renew much like Vectric software. 

[4DThinker]

On 8/15/2024 at 4:49 AM, KevTN said:

You are correct but to get upgrades you have to renew much like Vectric software. 

I upgraded every other year or so my Aspire license but only when there was a new feature I knew I could put to use.  In the last two level versions I haven't seen any reason to upgrade as the 10.5 version I have has been a workhorse since it came out.  I keep checking what new features they've added and to me it appears I'll be fine using what I've got for the rest of my CNC using years.  If the version you have of Lightburn does what you want to do then run with it.  I only stop using software when they switch to a subscription model you are forced to pay for regularly or it stops working.  

[KevTN]

On 8/14/2024 at 7:47 AM, Cal said:

 

I would be very interested, thanks.

Cal….I apologize for the delay but things were really crazy. I went and bought some more of the tiles. I don’t know if they changed that backing or not but I could not reproduce that engraving with either Diaode or IR. If I can figure it out I will post for you. (Officially bummed)

[Cal]

Interesting Kevin, I wonder what that backing was?  Near me (in Macon, Ga.) there is a discount store that sells Home Depot & Lowes leftovers, returns, discontinued stuff.  They have tons (literally) of all sorts of floor & wall tiles, I think you could even buy just one piece if you wanted.  You might check your area, or places that you travel to, for similar stores to check for "the good stuff".

Have you tried to do a mirror?

[KevTN]

Not yet. Wife brought home a few from a clearance sale. I'm trying to get a feel of it...