Etching in aluminum

[ttwark]

We are looking at a project and the spec calls for etching a logo in a brushed aluminum panel. The panel is 72"x 40 1/2" with the letters "LC" etched and painted with PMS200. The letters are approx 36" wide x 24" tall. We have done plenty of v-carve but nothing in metal and not sure what etching is. Can we do this on the router? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[MogulTx]

Etching? Often done via acid on various materials. A similar effect might be accomplished via sand blasting (put on a blasting mask and then sand, shot peen or glass bead the material).

A router is going to remove material and in a manner that is going to make the pattern of the cutter known to the observer.

That does not sound like etching to me... You need to be getting some more info from your customer, I think. Maybe they know what you do and think it would be an acceptable alternative??

[ttwark]

I've done further research and I'm told that engraving might be the answer. Could I engrave the logo in a sheet of aluminum and ink it or paint it. I guess v-carve, just in al not wood?

[jerry_stanek]

Have you thought about a diamond drag bit check out widgetworks unlimited

[gc3]

v carved 90d v bit .5ips xy .25ips z

[donek]

We are looking at a project and the spec calls for etching a logo in a brushed aluminum panel. The panel is 72"x 40 1/2" with the letters "LC" etched and painted with PMS200. The letters are approx 36" wide x 24" tall. We have done plenty of v-carve but nothing in metal and not sure what etching is. Can we do this on the router? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

You can't paint aluminum. It will just flake off. It has to be anodized. Normally, if you want the aluminum to show through the anodizing, you laser engrave the artwork. You'll want to go to your local metal finisher and ask if they provide a Pantone color matching service with their anodizing. Then ask for a referral to a laser engraver.

[jerry_stanek]

We paint aluminum all the time you just have to clean it real good and use a good primer.

[Brady Watson]

We are looking at a project and the spec calls for etching a logo in a brushed aluminum panel. The panel is 72"x 40 1/2" with the letters "LC" etched and painted with PMS200. The letters are approx 36" wide x 24" tall. We have done plenty of v-carve but nothing in metal and not sure what etching is. Can we do this on the router? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Ask the customer what 'etching' is to them. It could mean engraving & it could also mean chemical or laser & chemical etching.

-B

[ttwark]

This desk is a very small part of a large project which is a competitive bid. All the information I have is all I am going to get. I have researched and called and called and called and have come to the conclusion that I will have to do this myself some way some how. That is why I am reaching out - I need to assign a value which is not cast in stone. 2K?

[ttwark]

whoops attached drawing upside down, trying again...

[pkirby]

I come from a construction background, and although the owner/customer/general contractor might not give you more information, the Architect who drew the plans should have their phone number on the plans and they should be able to clarify their definition of "etch". Webster says its "to produce (as a pattern or design) on a hard material by eating into the material's surface (as by acid or laser beam)"

[bleeth]

Generally for a desk face panel in aluminum we use some pretty thin aluminum "laminate". You're not going to v-carve that! Diamond drag knife is the right answer. For finishing you etch the sheet (that means wipe it down with an aluminum cleaning product available from automotive paint stores), prime it, and shoot it.

[rb99]

Waterjet... or use a material with a thin aluminum top ply and a soft plastic center. V carve and paint.

[feinddj]

To me that looks like they want a milled surface into the brushed panel which would then be painted. When you quote, make sure that you specify what you will do as opposed to what they asked for. That covers you from having to do something possibly more expensive that you didn't anticipate.

D