Etching a drawing/design on acrylic?

[Kaos]

I've seen it done for signs, awards, and decorative stuff. I would like to know if there is anyone that can etch a design into a piece of acrylic for me? Or, if not too complicated, how to do it myself. TIA.

[MrRyanT]

Was done here by Mishap. Check it out, maybe send a pm or something to see how he did it.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1453595

[Kaos]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13759238#post13759238 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MrRyanT
Was done here by Mishap. Check it out, maybe send a pm or something to see how he did it.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1453595

Thanks. I sent him a pm inquiring about how he did it.

[alpine]

Check out the computer modding websites.Lots of them have tutorials on how to etch designs in acrylic.

[ZygoatD]

ive done it. this was for a school project


here is the pattern i made.

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u166/Zygoat_D/projects/clock/PA210803.jpg

i cut it out of the protective paper that comes on the acrylic. i printed the pattern off of the computer (mirrored, so that i would look right from the front). then cut it out using an exacto knife by hand. takes a while.

then i bead blasted it. and the result.

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u166/Zygoat_D/projects/clock/PA210808.jpg

the image was etched in reverse on the back side of the face so the front is completely smooth and the image is less likely to get scratched or otherwise messed up.


happy to share more if you are interested.

[Reefer08]

What exactly do you mean by bead blasting it? I want to do something similar but on black acrylic.

[ZygoatD]

thats the name for the process i used to actually etch the acrylic. it is very similar to "sand blasting" only instead of sand it uses tiny balls.

you can find pretty inexpensive "media blasting" guns. for example harbor freight has some, for $20-30. they would be suitable for something small like that. or they could do bigger stuff it will just take longer. "media blasters" can use sand or other stuff. sometimes they are incorrectly labeled as "sand blasters" so check to see what it can use.

also sand would probably work. it would just have less "texture" to it. the finer the media the smaller the texture.

[Reefer08]

Is it possible to sand blast black acrylic with this method? Would it even be visible? I want a graphic similar to those found on most collection cups on a protein skimmer cap.

So basically your making a template that covers the area you don't want sand blasted?

[alpine]

Your going to have to have someone with a cnc do the design your looking for.The designs that you find on top of collection cups are done with on cnc's.

[alpine]

ZygoatD
Nice work man.My buddy does very intricate stuff like for computer case panels.Well the ones that have acrylic side panels.

He also embeds leds into the side of the acrylic,which makes the designs glow really nice.

[ZygoatD]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13761335#post13761335 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Reefer08
Is it possible to sand blast black acrylic with this method? Would it even be visible? I want a graphic similar to those found on most collection cups on a protein skimmer cap.

So basically your making a template that covers the area you don't want sand blasted?

you can sand blast an image on acrylic. it will have a "frosted" look. and yes, you are covering the area you DON'T want blasted. leaving the pattern, or image exposed.


<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13762895#post13762895 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by alpine
ZygoatD
Nice work man.My buddy does very intricate stuff like for computer case panels.Well the ones that have acrylic side panels.

He also embeds leds into the side of the acrylic,which makes the designs glow really nice.

thanks man, i thought about lighting this one. i do alot of work with computers too.


i would have to see the design to tell you if you could do it, or something similar with sand blasting.

[sandiegan]

If you don't really need the texture (in terms of actually touching it..) you can do the same thing with a template and just use the spray paint that's for frosting glass. I've done it and it works fine.

[landy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13759238#post13759238 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MrRyanT
Was done here by Mishap. Check it out, maybe send a pm or something to see how he did it.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1453595

mishap sourced the lid...

But i know the guy that drew and cut the acrylic;)


http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1197532&perpage=25&pagenumber=1


Not sure if my lady will let me cut anything else on the laser CNC at her work. :(


landy

[Kaos]

Ha, Landy found me before I could pm him. If you could use the laser CNC pm me and we can discuss what I would like to do further. If not I understand. What does your lady do that requires a laser CNC?

[Kaos]

ZygoatD: That's funny. I have done a similar thing w/ the bead blaster and acrylic at work but never thought of using that for this. I may try it and see how it works for this application.

[MrRyanT]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13763973#post13763973 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by landy
mishap sourced the lid...

But i know the guy that drew and cut the acrylic;)


http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1197532&perpage=25&pagenumber=1


Not sure if my lady will let me cut anything else on the laser CNC at her work. :(


landy

Sorry, didn't know that. Thanks for giving credit where it was due.