A Breakthrough in Glass Etching Technology

In 2025, a major breakthrough in glass laser engraving technology will allow for ultra-fine engravings as small as 0.05 millimeters while still maintaining the glass ’s transparency.The course explains key techniques such as adjusting laser parameters and pre-treating materials, and covers applications such as industrial labeling and artistic decoration, to help you understand how to use new technology to improve carving efficiency and the quality of finished products.

Why is this technology worth paying attention to?

In a recent exhibition in Suzhou, we saw a chess set made with new technology in which the 3-D images inside the chess pieces could be seen clearly, but the surface was smooth.The ability to see but not touch is the core of the 2025's technology.Compared to the traditional technique, which is prone to cracking and fogging, the new process utilizes dynamic focusing technology to allow the laser beam to "draw" precise images inside the glass.

Key parameters.

We tested three common types of glass.

Ordinary sodium-calcium glass.

The best results are obtained by setting the pulse frequency to 80 kHz, which makes the engraving speed 2.3 times faster than last year's mainstream equipment.You must make sure to do a plasma clean in advance, otherwise the edges are likely to turn white.

The white glass was used for the windows.

In fact, a depth of 0.03mm is optimal, as it allows for a three-dimensional effect without affecting the light transmission rate.There is a little trick: Wiping the surface of the stone with alcohol before carving produces better results than using a commercial cleaning agent.

Tempered glass.

The temperature had to be kept below 120 ℃. We tested a segmented cooling scheme, and the yield increased from 67 % to 89 %.Note: It is best to let the carving rest for 24 hours before moving it.

Things to be careful of in daily maintenance.

I've seen too many studios suffer from not cleaning up.We suggest that the optical system be cleaned with compressed air on a weekly basis. Don't wait until dust accumulates on the lens and affects the accuracy of the cutting to regret this.Northern consumers should remember to attach a humidifier; if the humidity in the workshop drops below 30 %, static electricity can cause the machine to attract dust.

Recommendations for actual applications.

Besides the usual applications, such as trophies and medals, this year there was a new use for laser engraving--etching on glass partitions.A cafe in Shanghai has used this technique to make windows with a hidden pattern. During the day, it is ordinary glass, but when sunlight shines on it, the pattern of a mountain and water scene appears, with an unexpected effect of attracting customers.