Laser Engraved Rubber Stamps
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The traditional raw rubber used for vulcanizing stamp dies is quite unacceptable for the production of laser stamp dies, the laser process requires a very even thickness and blemish free surface to produce an acceptable printed image from a stamp die. The rubber must also be subjected to a specific curing process before it can be exposed to the elevated temperature of a laser beam.
The depth of the engraving is determined by the laser speed, its wattage and the density of the rubber. For example, a 50 or 100W engraver will engrave the rubber deeper and faster than a 25W machine, which may require a second pass to achieve a similar result. Usually supplied in an A4 size sheet form, a good quality laser rubber is required for engraving stamp dies and must also have suitable compression strength and ink transfer properties.
To assist the engraving process, it is necessary to remove the excess dust which is constantly created by the laser cutting action with an efficient exhaust filtration system. As very few, if any, CO2 laser engraving machines were initially purpose built for engraving and cutting rubber, installing and maintaining an effective dust extraction system pays long term dividends. Mirrors, lenses and any exposed bearing surfaces should be cleaned thoroughly as part of a regular maintenance program. Any neglect in this area will be detrimental to overall trouble free laser operation, as the build up of dust and residue will affect running efficiency and the quality of the finished stamp die. Lasers are controlled directly from a computer, the software drivers supplied with lasers work with many graphic programs such as CorelDraw.
Approximate cost of a 25 watt Laser suitable for stamp making is $40,000
Advantages – Production is computer controlled, custom made stamps can be made easily
Disadvantages – High capital investment, maintenance costs and running will be much higher than vulcanizing or polymer methods of manufacture.
This is a small brief about the importance of the laser engraved rubber stamps
Laser Engraving Technique
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Laser engraving is a technique in which laser technology is used to engrave, mark or etch any object. People get things engraved for many different reasons and purposes. This method is much more popular than other engraving procedures because the result is very clean and precise. The method of laser engraving can be very complex and technical, and involves exposing the object to a laser ray.
The machine which is used for laser engraving basically has 3 main parts, which are the laser, controller and surface. The laser beam is emitted from the laser, and the patterns are traced by the controller onto the surface.
A laser is so powerful that it can not only engrave, but also cut if necessary. Plasma cutting and woodcarving are techniques that can take place with the help of a high-power laser. Printing on disposable cups, plastic bags, candy bar wrappers and milk cartons is done by a method known as ‘flexo printing’, which is done with the help of laser engraving.
Mostly, laser engraving is used for materials which are “laser-able”, like alloys and polymers. Woodwork, a very beautiful and famous art, is carried out with the help of laser engraving. Here, 10 watts of laser power can suffice to engrave on hardwoods like oak and mahogany. Acrylic plastics and plastic sheets (of soft drink bottles) are also commonly engraved. By the method of conduction, coating can be removed from metal with the help of laser engraving. Diamonds get their brilliance thanks to the process of laser engraving.