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How to: 3D Laser Engraving

There are many benefits to 3D laser engraving. First, three-dimensional laser engraving can create effective results when executed well. When you use laser engraving, there is also less wear and tear on equipment because only laser beams, not tools, touch the product; thus, there is less cost associated with fixing engraving equipment and less time involved in engraving/imprinting. In order to create exceptional products using three-dimensional laser engraving, you must have all the right components and understand the process.

Things You'll Need

Design software
Engraving machine
Wood, acrylic or other material on which to engrave

Instructions

- 1
  Create the design that you wish to engrave in a software program. Use a program such as Kern's KCAM Laser Software, CorelDRAW, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator or another program that provides good resolution. When creating your design, use different shades of gray resolution until you produce a picture you want to engrave, as engraving in color isn't generally possible.
- 2
  Link your engraving equipment to your computer using the cables that come with the engraving machine. Put the machine on a flat surface and firmly connect the cable. Depending on the machine and the materials, 3D laser engraving can take minutes to hours, so the machine and computer should be in an area where they won't be disturbed.
- 3
  Insert the material into the engraving machine and use the included software to begin the engraving process, transferring your design onto the material. This will usually be a matter of setting the parameters in the design program specifying the material you chose and the size of the engraving and then directing the program to start engraving.

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