Glass etching for the first time, image looks great from lite angle but flat and blurred straight on, this caused by focus?
I think it would help if you can supply more information, such as speed, power and interval. A copy of the image would also be nice.
If it’s not a problem, you can drop the .lbrn2 project file on the reply window and it will upload it. Be patient and let it complete the upload before moving on.
Different glass lases differently and some has the ability to hold more detail than the other.
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Thanks for the reply and assist, I’ve done the ramp test, and interval test. It’s a image, set at 200 speed,19 pwr, dpi 300 line interval at .085 - I’ve adjusted the dpi from 200 to 350 as well, speeds adjusted to 200-400 with various powers, it still does exact image that looks amazing at angle but flat blur straight on. my focal point was at .75inches with ramp test if I did this correctly.
You didn’t mention what lens you are using. A normal 50.8mm (2") lens has a spot size of about 0.20mm. If everything is perfect, your interval is set to 0.08 means you are covering the same area 2.5 times.
Resolution is a combination of the lasers spot size and the material you’re using. The laser heats up the glass and it shatters from the thermal expansion and it being brittle or non pliable. So if you have a 0.20mm spot and when it heats the glass up, it takes out 0.40mm of material, you best dpi would be ~64.
I believe you need to back off the dpi to something more reasonably in line with your lasers spot size. You can also change the dither type.
Thanks this makes sense but the images that are there from an angel have photo type clarity, still and issue with the DPI? I’ll double check lens.
Do you think going over the same area two and a half times sounds logical?
Unfortunately, I see lots of nice stuff – until I see it from a different angle.
I don’t know what else to advise you to try. A lot of this depends on the type of glass and you may find this works better on a drinking glass instead of a window pane.
Good luck
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So the image I’m trying to etch is probably outside the capability of the lense for clarity, is there a lens you would recommend to get the laser spot size more inline for high detailed engraving?
With glass, it’s pretty much stuck with how the material reacts. I use a 2" for a lot of work with glass mirrors, but it’s removing the reflective back of a mirror tile, mostly. Doesn’t require much in the way of precision.
A shorter lens would probably give you a higher resolution, but it’s a crap shoot with glass.
I think you have a nice system, you just need to work with it more and try other options and types of glass.
You might find one of the coatings work well for this and add contrast. I use LBT100 spray for some projects. It creates a bond to the material when lased, including glass.
This is done on a fiber, but fiber machines don’t work too well with glass, so I used LBT100. It’s a ceramic tile, but it’s finish is glass.
I’d suggest you watch the Laser Everything on Photo engraving. Although done on a fiber and on photo etching, it explains line interval very well. Their process works for any laser with any material.
Good luck
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