Engraving with Relief mode

Relief mode and three dimensional laser engraving techniques and best practices

The tutorial demonstrates what you need to consider when doing relief engraving with a laser, as well as how to get good results.

What is a relief engraving?

Relief engraving is a deep engraving with differing heights, which are created by gray shades in the graphic. The Trotec laser automatically regulates its performance using these grayscales and so generates different heights in only one pass. Relief engravings are appealing and make any application more attractive. This form of engraving is ideally suited to gift items, jewelery or as add-ons for goblets and trophies.

Preparing the data and sending it to the laser

Data can be generated by using grayscale fillings and gradients, which are sent to the laser via the process type "relief." Various shades of grey from 0 to 100% black can be used. These will produce different heights in the material creating flowing transitions between the different heights.

You can add a new material effect to relief engraving which can either have its own layer or you add the layer used in your graphic as soon as you want to do the relief engraving. Examples of what files for relief engravings can look like are shown on the screenshot. Our test files can be downloaded here.

Graphic files for relief engravings

Tip for high-quality data or photo presentations

High-quality data or photo representations for relief engravings need to be created in a 3D programme. Such programmes generate extremely fine gradations at gray steps, which is a very complex process. There are companies that offer this kind of individual data creation, e.g. www.gantryco.com

Which materials are suitable for relief engraving?

Relief engraving can be done with materials that have the same layer structure throughout, or are completely permeated with colour and thus have a uniform appearance. The most suitable are:

Relief engraving wood

Engraving process

For relief engraving on wood, the following method is recommended (details are based on the use of the Speedy360, 80 watt laser): In order to create the desired depth of your relief, engrave your graphics in 3-4 passes with high performance and low speed (p 100%, v30%). Follow this with one or two rounds at low power and high speed. (p 60%, v100%), which will allow you to engrave away the smoke residue. In order to achieve very deep engraving, first engrave the cutting contour, and then only perform the deep engraving in the second step.

Cleaning

Use a toothbrush to clean your laser-engraved relief, using water and soap or detergent. Scrub away the traces of powder by brushing generously over the relief. Do not use too much water and dry your workpiece very well, e.g. using compressed air. This will stop the piece of wood from losing its shape.

TIP: Creating a wood relief engraving with color change

A colour change can be achieved by creating a relief engraving in wood. For this purpose, the workpiece must be cleaned very well as described above. By doing this, the smoke traces that would otherwise damage the subsequent engraving result, will be removed. Now place the cleaned and dried workpiece back in your Trotec laser and engrave with the standard values Solid Wood "black" from JobControl^®. The integrated z-offset value of +6mm is important for achieving a nicely discolored engraving result. If the effect is too low, increase the z-offset value.

Relief engraving acrylic

Relief engraving on acrylic is used to create an elegant effect on trophies or other applications. When relief engraving acrylic, it is important to work without additional Air Assist (= OFF) and with a z-offset value. This will stop the material from becoming cloudy or acquiring a milky-white discoloration.

Engraving process

This data is based on the use of the Speedy360, 80 watt laser: Use a slow engraving speed in combination with high power (p=90%, v=10%) and switch off the Air Assist when engraving so that the material has sufficient time to melt and -- depending on the performance of your Trotec laser -- produces an excellent texture in the first pass. Further passes create an even deeper three-dimensional effect. It is equally important to use a z-offset value of +2mm to +4mm as this preserves the transparency of the acrylic.