I have scoured the internet for this subject and haven’t found anything that applies to my exact
situation.
I found tons of article’s for MOPA lasers, diode lasers and UV lasers, but none exactly about using a standard fiber.
Can it be done? If so, how? Use white paint or Ti02? I tried Ti02 and it was terrible. I used flat black but not good.
I did a material test with the Ti02 and flat black but bad results, see images. Both had the same settings.
I’m trying to do a memorial thing for my daughter’s dog on a 6x6 white tile.
Hopefully one of you wizards can help.
Thank you.
I have used a lot of the different formulas for marking porcelain tiles. I don’t like the paint types because it’s difficult to get the paint off and leave the TiO2. There are a lot of mixtures available you can try. This is one of the TiO2 mixed with water and maybe a touch of glue. This thread has a few you can check out.
I believe these are all TiO2 coatings using this mixture from the above link.
The cat image has to be labeled on the back because I can’t tell it from the LBT100 spray that I usually use. LBT100 is consistent, usually produces good blacks, easily washes off with water, is non-toxic and is more expensive than the NTM methods with a lot less elbow grease.
This links shows some of Nicky’s tiles he’s done with paint.
Most of this fiddling around is done with MOPA machines that have more control over the pulse shape. If you have a non-mopa, check on what pulse size your source produces. Is this your the source pdf? The MOPA has a larger frequency range or more pulses/mm.
If I have the correct source, yours seems to produce a 80~110 ns pulse and you can vary the frequency from 45~60 kHz. You’re going to have to work with it.
When you first spoke about engraving, I though of this, again by Norton…
Looking at your tiles, I think you have an thickness issue as the results vary across the test piece. Usually when you fuse the TiO2, it shows up black. Make sure you use a paint that has the most TiO2 in it for the best results. Slow it down and advise on what frequency you used.
Ask if you have issues.
Yes, it’s a Max 50W and freq 20-200.
I’ve seen those posts but not sure where to start.
LBT 100? Someone suggested white marking water based spray paint. The kind they use on football fields.
The active ingredient is TiO2, some black paints have it in the mixture. Do these field marking sprays contain TiO2? I remember Nicky noting he used a specific type of paint on his posts. I don’t like paint, hate the smell of the solvent to get it off. Worst part, is I get more of it on me and the surrounding area than on the tile.
Get something to coat a tile with and try it. I think most of us purchased a case, you’re going to generate a pile of rejects until you get it nailed… there is still going to be waste.
Use a few sacrificial tiles to help you dial in what you’re doing. I’d start with a materials test based on Nicky’s settings and go from there.
You can use white Acrylic paint, which is water soluble.
This appears to be the most critical variable in the process. @jkwilborn said this for your benefit.
If you buy white ceramic tiles, buy them in the box of 100 count. You won’t feel so bad about trashing the rejects.
@jkwilborn white latex paint used to prime walls applied with air brush (thinned with water until like milk plus a drop of black to see coverage )
2 watt diode
@jkwilborn The higher TiO2 the blacker
Those are nice but I don’t have a diode.
Thanks for the list. I’ll check them out.
I’m spending money and getting nowhere.
Heard that!
I can’t do 800khz nor 300ns.
I have sprayed some tiles with Rustoleum Blossom white. That’s all I could find, plus trying the water based field marker. I’ll let them dry for an hour and see how they work.
Any settings for a plain 50w fiber?
There are lots of us in a similar boat.
If you can’t adjust certain settings, you have to work with what you have.
Make use of the materials test, that’s what I did initially.
Show us some of your results with settings and maybe we can help you.
Ok, I’ll do some material test on the ones I just painted. I’ll start low and go high.
Could you please explain the above settings?
Ok, here’s some results.
First is with white field marking paint, cleaned.
Second is Rustoleum white blossom satin, cleaned.
Third is preview of second.
Using acetone to remove the Rustoleum is not working very well. Mineral spirits?
So, I’m guessing the Rustoleum at 100/20/50/0.025. Or will it help to do another test with the settings narrowed down?
Comments please.
Thank you.
Here are the new tests (uncleaned) with the settings narrowed down.from the previous tests.
The frequency/interval test took HOURS to finish. I obviously entered the freq wrong. It was supposed to be 10-100.
I’m going to run an image test tile at 50/.5/50/0.0250. Seems kind of slow but we’ll see.