Introduction
Glass Engraving Machine using laser technology is something that is making a great impact in the market. Usually, a lot of laser engravers do not engrave on glass due to the refractive/reflective nature of its surface. However, with the advancement in technology, it is now possible to engrave glass like any other material. Here we will try to cover all that you should know about a glass engraving machine when you have to buy one.
What is a Glass Engraving Machine?
Laser Glass Engraving machines are machines that use laser technology to mark glass materials. There are various methods currently in use in the industry that make use of laser engravers to mark glass and glass materials.
But before we move on, here is a list of the ideal glass types that you can use for getting the best results with laser engraving machines:
- Cast glass
- Float glass
- Mirror
- Windows
- Bottle Glass
- Tabletop glasses
- Crystal Glass
Although you can also mark your other types of glass with laser engraving technology, but these are the type of glasses that are majorly in use for engraving in the industry. Here is a demo video about how the laser engraving machine for glass products work in real-time.
Common Types of Laser Glass Marking Techniques
The main types of laser marking techniques on glass products are laser engraving and etching. There is a slight difference between the to techniques, however, both techniques serve the purpose of marking on glass products. Here is the basic difference between the two marking techniques:
· Laser Engraving of Glass Products
Laser engraving on glass products is like other methods of engraving. Which means that there is a part of the glass that is cut out from its original body. Once the engraving is complete, you can feel the difference in contour on the glass. Usually, the energy of the laser for engraving glass is higher, as a part of the material is to be vaporized. The depth of engraving varies largely based on the hardness of the glass to be marked and the power of the laser.
· Laser Etching of Glass Products
Laser etching on glass material is a bit different from engraving. In laser etching of glass, only a small layer of the material is removed from the main material. Hence, the laser does not cut deep into the material. Rather the removal of the top layer in the desired fashion leaves behind the design as required by the designer.
· CO2 vs UV Laser Engraving
When it comes to the type of glass that you have to engrave, then you have to make a selection for the correct source of the correct laser to choose from. The basic difference between CO2 and UV laser is the intensity of marking. UV laser for glass is usually applied when etching and fine design is required. However, when laser engraving is required, CO2 laser is ideal as it can generate more heat for the given input power. On the other hand, if you want to etch your glass, then you can use the UV laser system. This is because the UV light also has a chemical effect on the surface of the Glass.
Advantages of Using Laser Engraving Machine for Glass Products
· High level of Precision
With laser engraving machines being evolved every day, you get great quality and precision for engraving glass products. This advancement in technology provides you with the opportunity to get the most intricate designs translated onto the glass products with high precision levels. Furthermore, the repeatability of the process does not affect the precision of the engraving.
· Saves costs by saving Material
Since the engraving process is contactless and totally automated, the material is not damaged. Furthermore, it ensures that the process involves minimal damage to the machine and the product. This damage is relatively higher in other types of engraving methods.
· Easy to Use
All the other engraving techniques on glass require a higher level of skill with the cleanliness of the hand. However, in the laser engraving technique, the automation of the process takes care of the skill and produces products with the highest quality, in the easiest of ways.
· Neat finished product
In other methods of engraving, usually, a finishing touch is required once the engraving is complete. However, in the laser engraving machines for glasses, there is minimal or no requirement of furnishing and cleaning required at the end of the engraving process.
Therefore, laser engraving for glass has a lot of advantages that you do not find in other types of engraving methods.
Applications of Glass Engraving Machines
Laser engraving glass machines are very popular in a lot of industries.
· Promotional Materials
Companies find it extremely convenient to mark their glass products with their logos and other promotional material. This technique is not only convenient, but it is also effective in increasing sales and making a brand presence. Laser Glass engraving machines have revolutionized the process of promotional materials on glass. This is because the laser engraving technique is much easier and swifter. The quality of the engraving is also high.
· Automotive Industry
Another major user of the laser engraving on glass is the automotive industry. The windows designed for cars need to have specific logos that make it an integral part of the cars’ recognition in the market. Therefore, there is not a single car or any other automotive machine that does not have a logo on its window. And what is better to engrave the windows than laser engravers.
· Aesthetics, Interior Products and Other apparel industries
Moving on, decorative materials and other interior decoration products made of glass need exquisite designs to make it add to the aesthetic value of homes and business areas. Nothing does it faster and neater than the laser engraving technique. And in terms of monetary terms, the decorative industry using glass engraving through laser techniques is the largest sector of glass engraving techniques.
· Optical wearables
Wearables, like glasses and sunglasses, are also another major area of application for glass engravers. The brand companies usually want to show prominent designs on the sunglasses so that the brand presence is felt substantially. Thus, if you are in the glasses manufacturing industry then laser engraving machines are a must for you to know about.
· Bottles manufacturing
How often is it that we see glassed bottles and the logos or other decorative engravings on the glassware? We think it is one of the most common things that we observe in our daily lives. Each and every bottle manufacturer has a special and unique logo that they want to display on the glass. Hence, if you are in the bottled glass industry then laser engraving machines for glasses are an ideal choice for you.
How to choose the right Glass Engraver
When selecting a glass engraving laser machine, you will have to check out certain factors that we have summed up here for your convenience.
What to check while selecting a laser engraving machine for glasses?
· Type of glass that you need to engrave/mark
You can easily work your way through on most types of glasses with no problem. However, the glasses with higher lead content create some issues in laser engraving. This is because the lead in the glass expands at a faster rate than the glass itself. Thus, creates marking issues. Moreover, the leaded glass also poses a challenge for the laser as it will tend to skip the leaded parts in the glass, leading to fracture and even breaking of the glass. Thus, you need to go for unleaded glass as the first option for you to work on.
· What Power and frequency of laser you need for the project
You need to determine the actual objective of your business. In case you need to use the laser machine for engraving glass products you will need the laser machine with a higher power. However, if you will need to etch the materials, then you can also go with a low to medium power laser machine.
· Selection of CO2 or UV laser engraving machines
Although CO2 and UV lasers work on almost all the glass materials, it is important that you make a decision depending on the type of engraving or etching that you want to achieve. For etching, the UV laser system is ideal. However, if you want to deep engrave glass, then CO2 laser is more suitable. But we must inform you that engraving on glass needs to be done very carefully because most of the glass surfaces are not very thick. Furthermore, leaded glass like crystals, etc. impose a risk of cracking under the high energy of CO2. Thus, you need to make a decision based on the
· Choosing the laser for curved glass product
Most laser machines work fine on the plane glass. However, when it comes to curved glasses, a special arrangement needs to be done to cater for the curve of the glass. Therefore, you need to look for a laser machine that will have the option to incorporate the curvature of the glass surface. This is not a difficult task to look for. While buying the machine you can ask the vendor to confirm if the machine is suitable for the curvature of the glass products or not. If not then you will have to look for the ideal machine that will fulfill your curve engraving requirements.
· Which Laser Engraving Machines are the best or Glass Engraving
There are various good machines that have made an impact on the industry in terms of marking glass products. Here are a few good laser engraving machines that can help you in taking your glass marking business to the next level:
Zing 24
One of the best laser etching machines is the Epilog’s Zing 24. This machine provides great ease to users while etching glass products. Although it is an entry-level machine, but Epilog produces high-quality laser products. Thus, the Zing 24 provides a great spectrum of laser etching services for the users. You can apply the laser engraving technique on a variety of different glass products.
Trotec Speedy Series Laser Engravers
The trotec speedy series offers great options for the users to engrave their glass products. The machines on offer are of high quality and provide speedy engraving jobs on materials of varying sizes. You can choose the right size of the machine according to the product you want to mark.
HeatSign’s Super Accuracy UV Laser Marking Machine
HeatSign’s super accuracy UV engraving machines are a class act in itself. These machines provide great engraving options for the users. Furthermore, you can easily set up this model with your existing production line. Therefore, you will get easy to set up a machine for your industry. Moreover, the laser engraving glass machine will give you etching designs of all kinds without any trouble. And last but not least, the UV laser markers for glass provide a very high level of accuracy. Therefore, you can undertake intricate designs and delicate projects with this machine.
Glass Engraver Machines: Final Word
Summing up, our team of experts at HeatSign confirms that the glass engraving machines are the thing of the present industry when it comes to smoothly marking your glass products. Laser engraving of glass products is extremely swift and the final results are of high quality. Furthermore, the initial investment in the procurement of laser machines might be high, however, the batch production of products from the laser engraving machines is extremely low. Thus, giving your business a boost that you are looking for. Our team of experts at HeatSign will guide you through the process of acquiring the best laser engraving machine for glass products. Furthermore, we will also keep a very transparent means of communication with you and update you about why you should buy a specific machine.
In case you want to enquire anything about the selection of the best laser engraving machine for glass products then you can contact us here.
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