How To Laser Engrave a Large Wooden Surface

There are many ways to make custom wood creations, some people choose to do engraving or burning by hand, but if you have a laser you can expand your wood creations beyond what’s possible by those methods. Lasers allow you to engrave in intricate detail and with much greater speed than manual methods. It’s possible to engrave and mark wood with both CO2 flatbed and galvo lasers. Either of these systems can provide a very similar end result. But the biggest difference between the two methods will be the time it takes to get the job done. For this “how to” we will be using the RL-GM3-C100, Radian’s high-performance, 3D, 100-watt CO2 Galvo laser system. This highly versatile machine uses a 3-axis galvo for marking on curved or irregular surfaces or as in this case, for large field flat marking.

For this project, we will be configuring the system for flat field engraving of a wine barrel top. The end result could become the perfect customized sign for a wine-tasting room, a lazy Susan, or even a custom clock.

MACHINE AND DETAILS

MATERIALS NEEDED

CO2 Galvo Laser (RL-GM3-C100)

100 watts, 3D, enclosed laser with automatic door

CO2 Galvo Laser

Wine Barrel Top
Ruler
Drill (optional if making clock)
Clock hands (optional if making clock)

PREPRATION

blank wine barrel top before laser marking with co2 laser

The first thing for the user to do is set up the laser for flat field marking.

We will be using the red tracer laser for positioning the barrel top in the system
No other jigs or fixtures will be needed for this project since the barrel top is flat and wont be moving around.
If there is an uneven surface the wood will need to be prepared by sanding/flattening the surface that will be marked.

Place the wine barrel top onto the marking bed

co2 laser software showing image before laser engraving

Using the ruler, measure and adjust the laser height for focus. (TIP: ALWAYS MARK SLIGHTLY OUT OF FOCUS TO ACHIEVE THE DARKEST MARK FOR WOOD).
Use the red tracer beam to center the barrel top in the middle of the marking field
Add and adjust artwork - using the red light to center again and verify sizing relative to the outer limits of the barrel top.
After adjusting the size and position of the file to be engraved, you will need to adjust the laser settings. Hatch size, Hatch type, Number of cycles to repeat, spot speed, frequency, and duty cycle (power) will need to be adjusted.

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN MARKING

first pass of wood engraving. co2 galvo laser marking on wooden table piece — Wood mark after first pass

Now that all of the preparations have been made it is time to mark on the wooden surface. With a good mark, this will take some time so make sure you are standing by and have your fume extractor on.

Wood Marking Tips:

A deeper mark would require you to increase the duty cycle (power) or slow down the spot speed.

When marking wood, to avoid smoke you will want to increase the power, blow air over the surface, or use a masking material.

FINAL STEPS

3d galvo laser marking on wooden wine top — Wood mark after second pass

Once your mark is the proper depth and color you can remove from machine, if you would like to pass another time you can simple run the job again. Should you want a darker mark, you would want to lower power and slow down the spot speed. This will help to create more “charring”.

ADDITIONAL STEPS IF MAKING CLOCK OR WALL PIECE

If you are moving forward with creating a clock the process is simple. Measure precisely to ensure you will get the exact center of the wine barrel top. Once measurements are made, drill a hole and install the clock mechanism and clock hands.

These make for great gifts or even for personal use - they are unique and can be made however you like or how a customer orders.

How To: Laser Engrave a Wine Barrel Top