Been using vinyl stickers to add my business name to my small carbon fiber products, but it starts to peel off even with a thin later of resin over it. I need the product to look professional of course and not fall apart, so I thought maybe Laser engraving would work, but every company I have gotten ahold of has no idea if it will work or not. They say it will work with Aluminum and brass, but I’m afraid Carbon fiber might smoke up and fray.
Yah… laser etching carbon is a pain. DOens’t work too well… resin tends to just kinda burn and there is no contrast.
You might be better off making a logo from another material like texaliam, I make single ply sheets, then CNC them and bond them on or put them in the laminate. You need something with high contrast for it to look good.
The whole rice paper thing for surfboards doens’t work well on carbon. Waterslides are good but you have to have em made or have a specialty printer.
The laser on metal is perfect and looks great. Maybe a thin piece of aluminum?
Oh also, the laser is for flat things, so that’s another limitation.
I’ve been experimenting with this process for a few months now.
With most laser applications other than metals it’s difficult to get a definitive answer without testing.
In my limited experience with carbon fiber, a nice mark can be achieved using a “fiber” laser, but most laser services only offer CO2 laser engraving.
If you’d like to talk about your project, I own a small laser and custom printing shop in Virginia and would be happy to do some tests for you. Our testing is usually $35 and from there we can give you recommendations and a quote for production runs. Just drop me a line - info@inaflashlaser.com
Sara
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You might be better off making a logo from another material like texaliam[/QUOTE]
What is texaliam??
Texalium is an aluminized fiberglass and looks silver in color. It’s purely for cosmetic purposes. When it’s on top of carbon it’s quite striking. The contrast is night and day.
I actually masked and etched a simple thing (smilie face) into the tool side of a uni. plate. While it was hard to see, it was there. Of course, kills the first layer property, and might fray later…
I’ve personally tried different things and have had other people try different things for me. I notice the best way to get a good etch is to lay down allot of top coat or clear gel coat / epoxy over the carbon fiber, then do the etch.
I’ve herd some people say that depending on the type of gas and system you are using, the carbon fiber would short out the entire machine. Not sure how much truth is to that, but I only need to hear one rumor to know I shouldn’t try it on my own machines at the shop LOL.
The vinyl stickers I have been using are too thick for my application… I’m even thinking Texalium and rice paper might even be too. Cannot use clear coat. Has to be a shinny surface though. What has been running through my head is cnc machining and filling with paint to bring out the logo. If only someone had knowledge of cnc engraving onto carbon fiber.
Yes I will consider that if I can not find a definite answer on the cnc engraving. Thanks!