Barry Romich Laser Engraving
In early 2009, I acquired an Epilog Zing 35 watt laser engraver. www.epiloglaser.com and have been having fun with it ever since. It has two modes of operation, raster and vector. In raster mode it will engrave text and graphics in a manner similar to how an inkjet printer works, by scanning left to right with a specified resolution up to 1000 lines per inch. I've engraved natural, finished and painted wood, anodized aluminum, pencils, flooring material, slate, and more.
In vector mode, generally used for cutting, it will follow lines. I've used it for cutting wood, acrylic, polycarbonate, fish paper, heavy paper, double sticky foam gasket, and other materials up to 1/8" thick.
Here are a few examples of things for which it's been used.
Did the above on baked brown painted aluminum flashing. The laser burns off the paint.
My sister Lynn and her husband Art made painted wood blocks and personalized one for each student in both second grade classes at Burbank elementary to commemorate the move to the new Norwayne Elementary School.
My brother Tom is famous among family and friends for running a tight ship when he's in town visiting the parents. I couldn't help myself from creating the above which is now posted just outside the entry to the kitchen.
The Habitat Restore is a major source of materials for this. The plaque for Tom was done using maple woodgrain flooring. Settings provided for burning through the surface layer. When insufficient contrast results, stain or acrylic paint can be worked in and wiped off the surface.