What is Deep Laser Engraving?
Deep Laser Engraving is a process by which a beam of focused light interacts with the surface material to vaporize or remove many layers leaving a cavity in the surface that is noticeable to the eye and touch. The amount of material removed and the depth of the cavity can be controlled by a skilled engineer to produce quality engravings in any material type. This includes 3D printed parts in material’s like ABS, Nylon 12, and some resins. Depending on the type of 3D Printing technology being used and the orientation of the part during printing it can sometimes be difficult if not impossible to get text to turn out well on the part. This is where using deep laser engraving to add in the text or logos after printing can be extremally useful. Deep laser engraving can also be combined with Cerakote to enable multi color logos by lasering off the top Cerakote color to reveal a different Cerakote color underneath it.
Deep Laser Engraving vs. Laser Engraving or Etching
The difference between deep laser engraving and laser engraving/etching is a matter of depth and where the line falls is subjective based on the shop you are dealing with and the material to be engraved. Going .005” deep on aluminum is very different that doing it on titanium and both are different than stainless or tool steel. An operator must have the skill, experience and most importantly the right laser for deep engraving on that material because most lasers generate heat. Excessive heat while deep engraving will damage and potentially destroy a part thus choosing the right laser engraving service provider is crucial.
Why Is Deep Laser Engraving Needed?
- Forerunner 3D Printing can hit and hold depths in excess of .010” on flat or curved surfaces, inside radii and in locations unreachable by a CNC or other mechanical engraver.
- Deep laser engraving is available on all material types, including stainless steel and titanium.
- Deep Laser Engraving is an efficient and economical solution for injection mold cavities, inserts, core pins, dies and many other applications.
- The laser can produce any type of mark ranging from simple text to complex logos, shapes, barcodes and 2D Data Matrix Codes. F3DP uses a high power laser with a spot size less than .003” that produces a superior mark on all metal types.
- Laser engraving is permanent, able to withstand the harshest environments.
- The process is computer driven and controlled making it fast and accurate every time.
Firearms Deep Engraving Services
F3DP has an FFL07 / SOT02 for Firearms Manufacturing, which provides us the capability to receive, transfer and process assembled NFA Firearms including SBR and Suppressors. Typical engraving work for NFA Firearms includes Trust Engraving, logos and other operating marks.
When a person registers a Short Barreled Firearm or builds their own Firearm Suppressor they are required by the ATF to engrave their personal or Firearms Trust information upon it permanently, deep engraving is very well suited for taking care of this task. We do offer this as a service to customers.
- Cost: $75 for the first firearm
- If you have multiple items that all need to be engraved with the same information (for example Trust information) then each additional item will cost $25.
- We allow for you to either drop off your item for marking or you can wait in our parking lot while we do the marking so you can take it home with you immediately.
- WE DO NOT ALLOW WALK-INS, you must schedule an appointment to drop off your item for marking.
For any questions or to schedule an appointment for your project please contact us at: sales@cerakoteexpress.com
