Sub Surface Laser Engraving (SSLE)

Please note: presently Inition do not resell Laser Engraving machines.

What is Sub Surface Laser Engraving?

Sub-Surface Laser Engraving (SSLE), is the process of taking an image and engraving it inside a crystal object. Traditionally, these images were restrained to generic images, like a flower, a building or an animal, until now. Thanks to advances in 3D camera technology, everyday consumers can walk into a photo crystal shop, sit for a quick 3D photo, done with one of a variety of 3D cameras, and have their likeness immortalized in a block of crystal.

	3D laser engraved portraits

STEP ONE
The customer must get his/her 3D picture taken. This process is done with one of InSpeck’s 3D cameras (you can read about these systems and what they have to offer in the “Which Scanners are appropriate” section below). These systems are very user-friendly and require very little floor-space. In other words, you can operate your own SSLE business out of a kiosk in a mall for example. Both types of 3D camera technology, white halogen light or laser are perfectly eye safe, which makes taking a 3D image of a person is much like taking a normal picture and would normally take less than a second.

STEP TWO
The 3D acquisition must be processed cleaned and converted into a point cloud ready to be burned by the laser engraving machine. This can either be down by a manufacturers proprietary software (such as InSpeck's EM Software SSLE for example) or a third party application such as INUS Rapidform 2004. The resulting 3D image that is to be engraved can be previewed on-screen for viewing purposes and real time adjustments made to the brightness and contrast before the etching process begins.

STEP THREE
Once the desired crystal block is placed in the laser-engraving system, the actual 3D etching begins. This is the process of having a laser beam penetrate a crystal to create tiny cracks (points or dots) in the glass (i.e. below the surface, hence the term Sub-Surface Laser Engraving). Thousands of little cracks later, you get a unique mosaic representing the scanned 3D image. Note that the time needed to complete this step varies depending on which laser engraving machine model being used.

RELATED INFORMATION

Using InSpeck FAPS for Laser Engraving Applications

Using InSpeck EM Software for Laser Engraving Applications

Which scanners are appropriate?

Similar in operation to a photographic camera, the user looks through a view finder to compose the desired acquisition before pressing a button to 'grab' the data. This normally takes less than a second. Systems are available that can process a range of volumes, to allow for different sized objects and scenes. Accuracy of data is very high, and the speed of the process makes it ideal for animate subjects such as Humans. Most Digitizers use the same sensor to record texture and 3D measurement data, preventing inaccuracies in alignment and even allowing intricate formations such as hair to be successfully processed. The results can be transmitted through fire wire straight into your desktop or laptop for use in the provided software.The extended range of these systems make them ideal for projects that involve larger volumes and space.

Suitable 3D scanning systems currently on the market: (Follow links for more info.)

Konica Minolta Vivid 910 fw - 3D Laser Scanner

3D laser scanner aimed at Human portraiture.

4Ddynamics - Mephisto 3D Scanning Engine

Powerful and flexible structured light 3D scanner. Suitable for object and Human capture.

Recommended Laser Engraving Machine Manufacturers

Laser Engraving Machines can be split into two categories, those that use red laser light and those that use green. The quality of the output from a machine depends on a number of factors: point size, point density, point layering. Other issues that maybe of concern include total burn time, the number of cubes which can be burnt simultaneously and of course cost.

The main criteria to be aware of would be - laser speed (the time it takes to burn a cube), laser diameter (this effects the size of the dot and how close they can be together, a smaller diameter gives more detailed images) and the size and number of cubes it can burn.
Typically red lasers burn with a slightly larger point size, so consequently point density comes down, leaving a more sparse and slightly fuzzy image. Green lasers can burn smaller point sizes allowing higher point density within the cube, giving the impression of a more focused image. It is also possible to 'layer' point clouds which adds an extra depth to the 3D image and enhancing the presence of the final output.

Presently Inition do not resell Laser Engraving machines.

	Red Laser Engravers				Green Laser Engravers
	Less Expensive				More Expensive
	Larger Point Size - Lower Definition Results				Smaller Point Size - Higher Definition Results
	Slower burn times				Faster Burn Times

Which Software?

Depending upon the 3D Camera set up which you choose, it will be necessary to think about which software application to use to process and prepare your scans. The InSpeck range of scanners currently ship with a SSLE application specific version of their EM Software. This allows you to align and merge scans, and text or similar custom 3D objects before converting InSpeck's native .net file format into a point cloud using the Glass 3D Plugin. This can then be exported into a number of popular file formats which can be read by the laser engraving machine - .obj, .dxf, .cad.
Alternatively, if you were using a system such as the Vivid 910 FW it would be necessary to purchase third party software to convert the scanned mesh into a format which the Laser Engraver can use. Options would include INUS RapidForm 2004 and GeoMagic Raindrop.

Setting up a SSLE system

The diagram below shows a fully integrated SSLE system. If you would like any further information on any of the components please feel free to contact us at inition@inition.co.uk

	typical SSLE setup

 

If you have any questions on SSLE then please call +44 (0)20 7613 5004 or email inition@inition.co.uk.

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