Processamento de logotipo/personagem: como fazer a escolha certa para seu protótipo

Logo/character processing: how to make the right choice for your prototype

Laser engraving

In the prototype phase we usually have to think about whether and how to process the character or logo. So how do we make the selection?

Define the character's role and desired effect

Before choosing a suitable character/logo processing method, you must first clarify the function of the character and the desired effect.

The role of the characters is to mark and identify. A prototype is the verification of the product design. At this stage, the product design is not yet fully completed and the parts are not used as a final product. In this case, even though the characters are not processed, it has no effect on the entire phase.

Of course, if you want to use the characters to identify which design version the prototype belongs to, or if you want to add your own unique logo to the prototype, you should carefully consider which method to choose for creating the characters/logos.

Understand the character/logo processing method

There are many ways to create signs/logos in the prototype phase. Screen printing, pad printing and laser engraving are the most common methods of producing characters. It can also be processed by CNC under appropriate circumstances. Different processes in combination with different materials create different effects.

Screen printing/pad printing

screen printing

In screen printing and pad printing, coatings are applied to the surface of the pieces. The color selection is so large that virtually every color you want is covered.

The design effect protrudes from the surface of the part and the shape can match the design almost exactly. Screen printing is mainly used on flat surfaces, while when the sign/logo is placed on the curved surface, a more flexible pad printing method is generally used.

Pad printing

Laser engraving

Laser engraving is a type of process in which the desired symbol is engraved with a laser. Unlike screen printing and pad printing, the essence of laser engraving is to remove materials from parts. After laser engraving, the characters are carved into the surface of the piece. In terms of colors, laser engraving can initially only display black and white.

Why is it black and white? In fact, the black color is due to the material burning at high temperatures during laser engraving, causing the surface to oxidize and turn yellow or black. How can it be white? Generally, plastic materials turn black due to high temperatures during engraving. If it is a metallic material, the original color of the material will appear after engraving.

If a 6061 aluminum component is anodized black before laser engraving, the characters after engraving will appear white in comparison. With the development of technology, there are now also color marking devices, and there are more color options for laser engraving characters.

Laser engraving on aluminum

Other character creation methods

CNC character machining is similar to laser engraving in that the material from the part itself is removed, but the shape is created by cutting the material. This way, there is no effect of high temperature when removing the material, and the color of the character is the color of the material itself.

However, CNC machined characters may not match the drawings because the CNC machining tool is round and the sharp corners of the characters are rounded during machining.

If the characters are large enough or there are no special requirements for the acute angles of the characters, the characters can be processed together in CNC machining of parts, saving costs and time.

In addition to CNC machining characters, plastic parts production can also produce concave and convex characters through 3D printing, vacuum casting or injection molding. The color is obviously the same as the piece.

Different sequences produce different effects

Imagine if a piece of 6061 aluminum was CNC machined, the letters were first laser engraved and then anodized black. How would it be? What if they first anodized the black and then laser engraved it? Yes, the same process and different procedures lead to different results.

First anodized and then laser engraved, the characters remove the anodized layer and reveal the original color of the material. Laser engraving first and then anodizing, the color of the characters is the same as the other parts of the black anodizing.

There are many other connections to character processing in prototype production. Materials, technologies, processing orders, etc. lead to different drawing effects.

Choose a suitable method for creating signs/logos

Whether it's a convex character, a concave character, or a flat character, we have a method for it. For more information just contact us.

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